Sesame
is
a flowering plant in the genus Sesamum, also
called benne. Numerous wild relatives occur in Africa and a
smaller number in India. It is widely naturalized in
tropical regions around the world and is cultivated for its edible
seeds, which grow in pods or "buns". The world harvested
6.2 million metric tonnes of sesame seeds in 2014, with
Tanzania, India, and Sudan as the largest producers.
Sesame
seed is one of the oldest oilseed crops known, domesticated well over
3000 years ago. Sesamum has many other species, most being
wild and native to sub-Saharan Africa. Sesamum indicum, the
cultivated type, originated in India[4] and
is tolerant to drought-like conditions, growing where other crops
fail.
Timing
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last average frost date. Transplant under cover a similar period after the last frost date. Remove the cover some time mid-May to early June, once the night time temperatures are warmer. The days to maturity is from transplant date, as these seeds do not respond well to direct sowing.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last average frost date. Transplant under cover a similar period after the last frost date. Remove the cover some time mid-May to early June, once the night time temperatures are warmer. The days to maturity is from transplant date, as these seeds do not respond well to direct sowing.
Starting
Lightly cover the seeds with sterilized, soil-less starter mix, and keep just moist until germination. Don’t keep the seeds in a highly damp environment, and be sure not to over-water the seedlings. Once they sprout, reduce watering to once a week until transplant time. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21°C (70°F).
Lightly cover the seeds with sterilized, soil-less starter mix, and keep just moist until germination. Don’t keep the seeds in a highly damp environment, and be sure not to over-water the seedlings. Once they sprout, reduce watering to once a week until transplant time. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21°C (70°F).
GrowingIf
steps are taken to increase warmth in and around the plants, they
will be more productive. Try transplanting into a raised bed, or into
the ground using black plastic mulch over the soil. Do not fertilize
sesame plants, and avoid drip irrigation, as they really do like it
dry. Plant fairly densely at 15cm (6″) spacing, in rows 60-45cm
(24-36″) wide. Sesame is indeterminate, so it will continue to
bloom and set seed capsules until the end of summer. Expect flowering
to peak in July and August.
The
tubular flowers of the sesame plant are highly attractive to
honeybees, and are said to produce some of the highest grade of
honey. The plants are relatively self-fruitful, so when the flowers
open, the seeds are already fertilized. The seeds are produced in
pods (seed capsules) that appear along the stem.
Harvest
Around the end of August, some of the pods near the bottom of the stem (the first flowers that opened), may begin to show signs of ripeness. When ripe, the pods begin to split from the blossom end. Don’t worry if this doesn’t happen in the field. Before wet weather arrives, cut the stems at the base and gather them to dry some place that is flat — hanging them will cause the seeds to just fall out as the pods dry. As the plants dry, the foliage will darken and more pods will open from the base of the stem upwards. Once most of the pods have opened, bash them against the sides of a bucket to collect the dry seeds. The seeds are edible at this stage, and resist spoilage better than most nuts. They can also be toasted, pressed for oil, or ground into the paste known as tahini.
Around the end of August, some of the pods near the bottom of the stem (the first flowers that opened), may begin to show signs of ripeness. When ripe, the pods begin to split from the blossom end. Don’t worry if this doesn’t happen in the field. Before wet weather arrives, cut the stems at the base and gather them to dry some place that is flat — hanging them will cause the seeds to just fall out as the pods dry. As the plants dry, the foliage will darken and more pods will open from the base of the stem upwards. Once most of the pods have opened, bash them against the sides of a bucket to collect the dry seeds. The seeds are edible at this stage, and resist spoilage better than most nuts. They can also be toasted, pressed for oil, or ground into the paste known as tahini.
Sesame
plants each produce quite a lot of seeds, but the seeds have little
mass. From a 10 foot long, 2½ foot wide row, expect to harvest
approximately 425g (just under one pound) of seeds.
