Tree spinach - Magenta Spreen [Chenopodium giganteum]

The annual tree spinach is a wild, robust and fast-growing spinach vegetable. Heat-resistant, hardy and grows up to 3m high, good as a privacy screen. Ideal for direct sowing or pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing in spring, good for mixed culture, harvest the fresh leaves as spinach.

 Description 
Tree spinach is an old annual wild vegetable plant and originally comes from the Himalayas, India and Nepal. In India, the plant has been cultivated as a leaf vegetable since ancient times. In Europe, this plant species is still partly unknown as a food and is often considered a "weed". Today, the species can be found in all warm temperate regions, in Europe almost exclusively in the Mediterranean region. The species is fast-growing, robust and forms an upright stem; under optimal conditions, the plant can become very large. The taste is mild and slightly spinach-like. The young green triangular leaves, slightly serrated at the edge, with neon red accents, can be used raw or cooked like spinach.

 General information 
Plant family: Amaranthaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 80 days
Plant height approx.: 300 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -15°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, loamy, humus

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-22 °C
Germination time: 2-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 15x25 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Good king Henry
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation in small trays from February to October. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation in small trays from April to August. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow until the first visible spinach leaves appear, then transplant them into the desired containers. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are ready to be planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Tree spinach ideally prefers a soil that is moist, permeable, nutrient-rich, and contains humus and loam. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a long harvest period, only harvest 1/3 of the leaves. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich soil and mixed planting are sufficient for tree spinach. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Chenopodium giganteum
English names: Magenta spreen, Tree spinach
German names: Baumspinat, Magentaspreen, Riesengänsefuß
Portuguese names: Espinafre Árvore
Spanish names: Espinacas de arbol
French names: Épinards arbustifs, Épinards arboricoles

 Origin 
Country: Portugal