1. Leaves falling off stalks during growth.
2. Trimming at harvest time.
3. Retting process (if done in the field).
4. Roots remaining in soil.
Hemp needs more water and nutrients to grow than
grain crops and the better the soil, the probability of
a better yield is increased.
Hemp requires approximately 30 - 40 cm
(12-15 in) water per each growing season or rainfall
equivalent to produce a crop. Because of the plant
height, the type of system almost has to be a large
overhead gun. Wheel row or hand move systems
would only work for the first few weeks. While tall
wheel row systems are available, they are not
common in B.C. The plant has been measured to
grow 12 inches in a week.
[HFS]
• Hemp plants prefer semi-humid conditions with temperature between 14 and 27 °C for best results.
• Needs plenty of rainfall/irrigation (especially first six weeks).
• Is drought resistant once it is a few weeks old but mass is reduced and lack of adequate moisture also hastens maturity.
• Seedlings can endure -5 °C frost, mature plants to- 5 °C as well.
• Early plantings produce more mass for fibre
production as it is a short day plant, maturing
quicker as the days shorten in the summer and fall, so early growth is important. For seed production, later plantings may reduce stem length and mass.
• Hemp prefers well drained loam soils, as trials on heavy soils have not done as well. A soil pH over 6.0 is recommended, 7.0 - 7.5
preferred. • Hemp is very sensitive to soil compaction.
• There is some suggestion that plants that are heat
stressed may not set seed as well or even at all.
This may affect where hemp can be grown for seed
production. Trials have been inconclusive.
• Hemp is cross pollinated by wind and pollen
regularly travels long distances. It produces more
pollen than any other cultivated plant.
Hemp Field Structure
