Fibre hemp is often confused with marijuana. They look very similar in appearance. But hemp grown for fibre can be grown quite legally. Fibre hemp is mainly used as a raw material for, among other things, durable textiles, rope, fuel, paper and supplements such as CBD oil.
The seeds of hemp grown for fibre are a good source of protein, contain amino acids and vitamins B and E, as well as the minerals zinc and phosphorus. This makes the seeds of fibre hemp very healthy and they can be used as a substitute for meat and soya. Oil made from the cold pressed seeds is also very healthy because it contains many essential fatty acids and is a source of omega 3, 6 and 9. The use of cold pressed fibre hemp oil is also good for the skin and hair and can help against arthritis and ADHD. The seeds of the fibre hemp can be eaten as a snack, used as a herbal tea, added as a powder to meals (not heated) and added as sprouts to meals or salads. The hemp oil can be used as a substitute for other oils and can be used raw in e.g. salads or in the preparation of meals. Non-hardy annual. Height: 100 - 200 cm.
Outdoor sowing: middle of April - early June
Germination: 10 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 10 - 25 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 2 cm
Distance between the rows: 30 - 60 cm
Planting distance: 18 - 20 cm
Plant position: sunny - half shadow
Harvesting period: end of July - early August
Fibre hemp is always sown outside. Because it's a very fast-growing plant. Hemp grown for fibre can be grown in many different types of soil. But it's important that the roots receive enough water to prevent them from drying out. This is because dehydration of the roots leads to damage to the plant. Therefore, cultivation on sandy soil is often difficult because this soil usually lets the water through too quickly. Clay soil can also be problematic because too wet a soil damages the growth of roots and shoots. Fibre hemp is best grown in loose, deep soil which is enriched with organic material and has a Ph value of between 6 - 7½ Ph. It's also advisable to add lime if the Ph value of the soil is too low.
Sow outside from mid-April, when soil temperature is at least 10 °C. The higher the soil temperature, the faster the seeds will germinate. Cover the seeds with a 1 - 2 cm layer of soil. The seeds germinate between 10 - 14 days, depending on the soil temperature and the outside temperature. Especially in the beginning the seedlings are vulnerable to possible frost damage. When the plants are bigger, they are more resistant to frost. If you are growing the plants to extract the seeds for making, for example, hemp oil, as a nutritious snack or hemp ointment, a planting distance of 18 - 20 cm is sufficient. Just like maize, hemp is a wind pollinator. This means that the plants are pollinated by the wind. It's therefore important not to plant the plants too far apart. Give enough water, especially in the beginning. And keep the plants well weeded.
When growing hemp for seed it's important that the plants have flowers. Because hemp is a short-day plant, the plants develop flowers when there is less than 12 hours of daylight. The seeds usually ripen about 6 weeks after the plant has flowered. This is the time to harvest the seeds. If you don't harvest the seeds in time, the ripened seeds will be thrown to the ground by the plant itself to disperse the seeds. Harvest the seeds by cutting off the tops. The ripe seeds are wrapped in a brown sleeve, which must be removed to use and save the seeds. Let the seeds dry in a well-ventilated room. The seeds can be stored in a cool, dry and dark place. In this way the seeds will keep for about 12 months.
