Sorghum bicolor (Silk Sorghum) is an annual food crop that is native to eastern Africa and is grown around the world as a grain replacement. In arid or tropical regions Sorghum is grown where other grains would struggle and adequately substitutes for rice, wheat and millet as a sustainable food source.
Suitable for Temperate (Summer) Dry, Arid and Sub-Tropical climates.
Sorghum is widely grown in dry and hot climates where other more common grains would not succeed. It is fast growing, highly nutritious and in ideal conditions takes around three months to reach a harvestable stage.
Sorghum bicolor is also commonly called Guinea corn, Jowar, Broomcorn, Great Millet and Sudangrass.
Growth
Sorghum bicolor is an edible plant that grows to 2.4m (8 ft) that is sown in regions that receive low rainfall and warm temperatures. In many arid countries, Sorghum provides a good replacement for other grains that require more water and cooler temperatures.
Seed is sown directly into the ground when daytime temperatures exceed 15°C /62°F. After a thorough soaking, Sorghum requires little watering until it reaches the flowering stage.
Sorghum performs better in warmer temperatures and when the soil is free of weeds to compete against. Farmers usually harvest when the kernels have a black spot at the base where it attaches to the head. This usually takes between 110-150 days in warmer temperatures and up to 220 days if the grown in cooler climates.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Poaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Dry, Arid, Sub-Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
12 to 34°C / 54 to 93°F
SOIL TYPE:
Most soil types, ideally weed free and has good drainage.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 2.4m (8 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 50cm (20 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Self-pollinating, Wind and Insects.
MATURITY:
110-150 days
GERMINATION RATES:
75-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-21 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 35 seeds
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT SORGHUM BICOLOR (Silk Sorghum)
Sorghum can be used as a replacement for wheat and rice, ground into flour to make bread or even popped like popcorn.
It was first domesticated in modern-day Sudan dating back to 3000 BC while Sorghum bread was discovered among graves in ancient Egypt. Dyes made from Sorghum are also used to provide the violet colours that decorate the masks worn in some traditional dances.
In India, farmers use Sorghum to feed livestock and poultry while in other countries it is used to make beer, incorporated into roofing, weaved in baskets and converted into a form of biofuel.
Recent years has seen Sorghum become a popular growing crop for preppers and permaculture hobby farms, due to the plants high protein, low maintenance and high yields.
For more information regarding Sorghum please click here.
