Essential techniques for growing sesame plants

This sesame plant, native to Africa, is a vital ingredient in many foods. The sesame plants are grown as annuals and produce sesame seeds. Here’s all you need to know about their growth.

Growing sesame plants

Growing sesame seeds is easy with the right conditions. The plants need hot, dry conditions with full sun and well-drained soil. This makes it a challenge for gardeners who don’t live in the appropriate growing climates. When adding sesame plants to your garden, there are important things you need to consider for the benefit of the crops. Sesame plants are tolerant of various soil conditions, but good drainage soil is a necessity.

Regular watering is for seed germination and establishing young plants. However, these plants do not require excessive water. Standing water or overly wet soil can be detrimental to the crops. It is also advisable to avoid planting your crops near other plants that receive frequent watering.

Plant them near other drought-tolerant plants. Your sesame plants can also be propagated by seed. Seeds from a recent harvest or even just from the grocery store will be sufficient if you opt for this method.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Harvesting the seeds

Drying sesame seeds can be challenging due to their small size. However, it’s essential to ensure they are completely dry for storage to prevent spoilage, as their high oil content makes them susceptible to going bad. Before harvesting, make sure the seeds are sufficiently dry on the plant inside the seed pods. Note that sesame seeds ripen from the bottom of the plant upwards, which simplifies the harvesting process.

When the seed pods begin to split in late summer, cut the stems and lay them flat in a dry location. Do not hang the stem, as this will cause the seeds to fall out. The sesame plant will begin to bloom in the hottest months of summer, and the seeds will follow after, ready for harvest.