Zuckerhirse (Sorghumhirse)

Cultivation Break

Season Overview

Description

Millet is a collective term for various small-fruited husked cereals in the Poaceae plant family (sweet grasses). The most important genera include sorghum millet (Sorghum) and panicum millet (Panicum), which in turn have numerous varieties and cultivars. Depending on the species and variety, height and growth vary greatly: some varieties grow up to 1 m high, others several meters. They grow upright and in bushy clumps. The space required also depends a little on the variety. The leaves are typically grass-like and narrow. The inflorescences are panicles or dense spike panicles. This is where the small spelt grains grow. The size of the grains also varies depending on the species and variety. Many varieties of edible millet are usually yellow-gold, but there are also reddish-brown or black millet varieties such as blood millet (Eleusine digitaria sanguinalis). Many types of millet are annuals and have a very short growing season. Many panicle millet varieties are ready for harvest after just 100 - 120 days. Millet is a crop that has been used for a long time in human history. It is a gluten-free grain and is also often used as fodder and silage. Millet is also a great option in crop rotation, as this plant family does not include any vegetable plants. So you can add variety. A super undemanding and drought-tolerant catch crop, great for warm and dry locations.

Growing tips

Millet is usually sown directly outdoors. However, the young plants in particular are not very competitive against weeds, which is why you should weed regularly. Diseases and pests are virtually no problem in millet cultivation - but bird damage is possible.

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Dark germinator

Germination temperature

10 - 18 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

25 cm

Row spacing

25 cm

Seeding depth

2 cm