Hemp

Profile

Family

Cannabaceae

Habit

annual

Height

2.5 m

Spread

0.8 m

Growth

very fast

Lifespan

1 year

First yield

after 1 year

Hardiness

zone 3–10

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very wet

pH

6 – 7.5

Synonyms

Cannabis

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: The plant's seed is edible raw or cooked, can be roasted as a spice, or made into fried cakes. Although tasty, it's challenging to separate from the shell. Grinding the seed with the shell can lead to a grainy texture. The seed has approximately 27.1% protein, 25.6% fat, 7.4% carbohydrates, and 6.1% ash. Extracting a highly nutritious oil rich in essential fatty acids from the seeds is possible. Plant leaves are utilized in soups and have 0.215% carotene.

Other uses: A drying oil is obtained from the seeds of the plant for various purposes like lighting, soap production, paints, and varnishes. In regions with moderate climates, the oil is extracted from female plants once the male plants used for fiber production have been collected. Harvesting the seeds from female plants involves shaking the plants to gather the mature seeds, preferably in the early morning when the fruits are plump and the environment is damp to avoid seed loss. The stems are trimmed, and the seeds are either shaken onto tarps or beaten with sticks to extract them. Furthermore, the plant yields a sturdy fiber suitable for making rough fabric, ropes, and other goods. The highest quality fiber is obtained from male plants when they become brown and their flowers bloom. To produce paper, the stems are gathered in autumn, treated by roasting or steaming to eliminate the fibers, then boiled in lye and beaten. The resulting paper has a cream hue. Additionally, the plant acts as a beneficial companion to cabbage and other brassicas by deterring the cabbage white butterfly and emitting a volatile essence that hinders harmful soil microorganisms.

Propagation

Sow seeds in the greenhouse during spring. Once seedlings reach sufficient size, transfer them to separate pots and relocate them to their permanent spot in early summer. Seeds germinate effectively at low temperatures, with a minimum threshold of 1°C. Alternatively, seeds can be directly sown outdoors in spring.

Notable

Special features: Hemp is likely the oldest cultivated plant, with hemp protein and fat being easily absorbed by humans. Bangladesh translates to hemp-human land, symbolizing its cultural foundation. Various hemp varieties cater to fiber/paper, medicine, and fodder, all depicted on a single map.

Origin & habitat

Western Asia - Iran to India. A visitor in Western Europe.

Unknown in the wild, this plant is among the rarest and most intriguing worldwide.

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