Quinoa grows as a tall, leafy plant that can reach 4 to 6 feet in height, with seed heads that mature into clusters of edible seeds in various colors such as light tan, red, or black
. Here is how quinoa grows and is cultivated:
Growing Conditions
- Quinoa prefers full sun and well-drained, fertile loam soil but is adaptable to most soils, including sandy and nutrient-poor soils with moderate salinity and a pH between 6 and 8.5
- It is frost tolerant as a mature plant but seedlings are sensitive to cold, so planting is done after the last spring frost
- Quinoa requires adequate moisture for germination and growth but does not thrive in waterlogged soils
Planting
- Seeds are sown either directly outdoors after the last frost or started indoors 4-5 weeks before the last frost and transplanted later
- Seeds are planted shallowly, about a quarter inch deep, spaced about 2-3 inches apart initially, then thinned to about 18 inches apart for mature plants
- Rows are typically spaced about 45 to 90 cm apart to allow for growth and airflow
Growth Cycle
- After planting in spring, quinoa seedlings emerge in about 4-7 days if moisture is consistent
- Plants grow tall, often needing staking if they become top-heavy with seed clusters, especially in wetter climates
- Flowering occurs in summer, followed by seed development where seeds start small and watery, then swell and harden as they mature
- The crop takes about 100-120 days to reach full maturity depending on variety and growing conditions
Harvesting
- Quinoa is harvested when plants shed their leaves and seeds have dried to below 10% moisture content
- Harvesting is often done by hand to avoid seed loss due to uneven maturity; seeds are stripped from seed heads and winnowed to remove chaff
- Seeds are then dried further indoors before storage to prevent germination
Additional Notes
- Crop rotation with potatoes, cereals, and legumes is common in traditional quinoa farming to maintain soil health
- Quinoa is drought tolerant and relatively pest-resistant, though some caterpillars and flea beetles may feed on it
- Mechanical weeding and organic pest control are used in commercial cultivation to maintain healthy crops without herbicides
In summary, quinoa grows best in sunny, well-drained soils with moderate fertility and requires careful timing of planting and harvesting to optimize yield. It grows tall with seed clusters that mature over the summer, harvested in late summer or early autumn once seeds have dried
