‘Broomcorn Red’ sorghum organic seeds(Sorghum bicolor)

Name: ‘Broomcorn Red’ sorghum organic seeds ( Sorghum bicolor )
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Product code : GAIAS-0294

Tall heirloom grass with reddish panicles, ideal for dried bouquets and small brooms. Ripe grains are edible. Packet of 100 organic seeds. Read the instructions on the packet before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, and well-drained substrate, then moisten it before sowing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the sowing uniformly moist without leaving stagnant water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place the seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly rotate the containers to promote balanced growth.

‘Broomcorn Red’ sorghum organic seeds (Sorghum bicolor) This open-pollinated annual heirloom develops tall stalks topped with reddish seed heads. Mature panicles suit dried arrangements and small handmade brooms, while fully ripened grain can also be harvested for food. The seed was passed down by Dawn Morden of Mountain Grove Seeds, adding height, movement, and fall interest to the garden. It can also create a striking seasonal screen behind shorter crops in a sunny home garden. Each packet contains 100 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada for a clearly identified garden crop.

Direct sow after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed, planting approximately 1/4 inch deep. For grain rows, place one seed every 4 inches and allow about 30 inches between rows; for decorative stalks, sow four seeds per station and retain approximately three vigorous stems. Seed may also be started indoors two weeks before planting out. At 15 to 35°C, optimally near 20°C, germination generally takes 4 to 10 days. Keep the bed evenly moist through emergence, then thin gently without disturbing the roots of retained seedlings.

Grow broomcorn sorghum in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Maintain even moisture during establishment, then water deeply when the surface dries without leaving standing water. Plants generally reach 5 to 8 feet and require approximately 100 to 110 days to mature. Harvest after seeds become hard and glossy. Cut panicles with a length of stalk and hang or spread them in a warm, well-ventilated place for at least one week. Keep decorative stalks long for arranging or broom making. For food use, thresh dry heads, remove all plant debris carefully, and cook only clean, sound, mould-free grain.

Uses in the garden

Place this tall grass at the back of the vegetable garden, along a sunny fence, or in a cutting flower bed. Avoid shading smaller crops and leave enough space for circulation during harvest. A group of plants creates a seasonal screen and provides enough panicles for several arrangements. Read the packet instructions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before sowing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly rotate containers to promote balanced growth. When several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully to keep the most vigorous subjects without disturbing their roots. Before outdoor planting, gradually acclimate young plants to wind, sun, and temperature fluctuations for several days. Follow the recommended spacing so that air circulates between plants and each has sufficient light, water, and nutrients.

01 How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 100 ‘Broomcorn’ red sorghum seeds, certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Store unused seeds in a cool, dry, dark, sealed container. Read the instructions on the packet before you start and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining substrate and moisten it before planting the seeds to prevent displacement. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly rotate containers to encourage balanced growth.

02 How to start the seeding?

Sow 6 mm deep after the last frost in warmed soil. Maintain regular moisture until germination. Starting indoors two weeks before planting is possible, but transplant carefully to limit root disturbance. Read the packet instructions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedling uniformly moist without allowing stagnant water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light immediately after germination and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth.

03 How long does germination take?

Germination typically takes 4 to 10 days at temperatures between 15 and 35 °C, with an optimum around 20 °C. Cold or waterlogged soil slows emergence and increases the risk of rot. Read the package instructions before you start and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedbed uniformly moist without stagnant water, as excess humidity reduces aeration around the young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth.

04 What space should be planned in the garden?

For grain, space seeds 10 cm apart in rows about 75 cm apart. Depending on the desired effect, plants can be thinned to 20 to 38 cm. Place them in full sun without shading lower vegetables and allow for a height of 1.5 to 2.4 m. Read the package instructions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before planting the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedbed uniformly moist without letting water stagnate, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots.

05 When and how to harvest panicles?

Harvest after approximately 100 to 110 days, when the grains are hard and shiny. Cut the panicles with the necessary stem length, then dry them for at least a week in a warm, ventilated place before using them or threshing the grain. Read the instructions on the packet before you begin and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining substrate, then moisten it before planting the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedling uniformly moist without allowing stagnant water, as excess humidity reduces aeration around the young roots.