How to grow sesame seeds at home?

Although mankind is trying with all its might to destroy its home planet with its vital activity, often caused by profit and greed, nevertheless, plants have managed to survive on it, which ancient civilizations cultivated for their needs. One of them is sesame, a plant that is well known to all culinary lovers today. It was once grown for the sake of obtaining the oil of the same name, the medicinal properties of which are undeniable.

A guided tour of the history of sesame seeds

Sesame, as it grows today in the countries of tropical Africa, India, China, Korea and some others, it also grew in them at the dawn of human development. The first mention of him can be found in the Assyrian version of the creation of the world. It was sesame wine that their gods drank before starting their grandiose work. Apparently, it motivated them to create the Assyrian state, which for more than 2000 years was the strongest empire in the world.

Since the Assyrian civilization began its existence in the 24th century BC. e., it can be assumed that sesame seeds were already used in those days both as a seasoning and as a preventive measure against many diseases.

Written evidence that this plant was used for medicinal purposes in antiquity is the famous Ebers scroll containing 10 papyri. This guide dates from the 16th century BC. NS. and contains practical recommendations for the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of various diseases. Its compilers, apparently, were the priests and doctors of Ancient Egypt.

At the same time, in China, they knew about its medicinal properties as early as 5000 BC. NS. Thus, we can conclude that they began to domesticate sesame (plant) in ancient times, passing on information from generation to generation on how to use it. Among this information were not only its useful qualities, but also recipes for pies, sesame wine, brandy and many other products.

Description of the plant

In different cultures it is called differently: sesame (Hindus), simsim (among the Arabs) or tahin. Sesame is a plant belonging to the genus Sesamum, which has more than 30 species.The most common is the Indian variety, which is a grass with a straight, branched stem up to 2 m high.

Its flowers, white, lilac or pink, bloom directly from the axils of the leaves and "live" only a day. During this period, they manage to self-pollinate, which leads to the formation of bolls with tiny seeds after a while. Depending on the variety, they are black, white, red or yellow.

There is still no exact data about which region is his homeland, but it is known where sesame is growing today. Its greatest amount is cultivated in India, America and North Africa; it has not grown in the wild for a long time. The information available about him suggests that:

• this plant is thermophilic;
• the most useful sesame species were cultivated in antiquity, and the agricultural technology for its cultivation has changed little;
• it is massively grown for the production of oil and the sale of seeds.

It is interesting to know: there are up to 80 seeds in one plant box, and a thousand seeds will weigh from 2 to 4-5 kg, depending on the variety.

Growing technique

As practice shows, although the places where sesame grows are tropics, it can be grown in the southern, and with proper care, in the central regions of Russia and Ukraine. The main condition for its growth is warm soil. Sowing can be done when the soil warms up to +18, and the air from +25 to +30 degrees.

It is important to remember: as soon as the temperature drops to + 2 ... + 3 degrees, the plant will die, therefore, at the first hints of lowering it, you need to cover the beds with foil.

Before sowing, the prepared area must be fertilized. Perhaps in the countries where it is cultivated, sesame both grows from year to year on fertile or loamy soils, and gives high yields, but not every summer resident is lucky with high-quality black soil.

Therefore, to get an excellent result, you should give this plant what it loves:

• potassium chloride (25 g);
• ammonium nitrate (25 g);
• superphosphate (100 g).

The number of components is given per 1 m2. Sesame seeds should be planted in well-moistened soil to a depth of 3 cm, leaving a distance of 50 to 70 cm between rows. On average, 1 g of seeds is required per 1 m2.

After the shoots sprout, they need to be thinned out, leaving the strongest shoots at a distance of 6-7 cm from each other. While the stem of the plant is gaining strength, regular watering is required with loosening the soil and weeding, but when it hardens, it will no longer need frequent maintenance. In ordinary gardens, sesame behaves in the same way as it grows in warm countries on large plantations.

It is important to know: since this plant successfully resists hot winds and lack of moisture, it can be planted to protect crops that are less drought tolerant.

Harvesting

The leaves will "say" that the time has come to harvest the crop. When they turn yellow and begin to fall off, you can carefully pick the seed boxes. On large plantations, crops are harvested before they turn brown, and still hang green. The property of this plant is this: as soon as it is overripe, the fruits open from the lightest touch.

In a small area, sesame seeds both grow and mature, and are harvested in due time, when the capsules acquire a brownish color. From 1 m2, the yield will be more than 200 g of seeds. Gardeners often plant this plant for decorative purposes, as it looks spectacular in flower beds.

Types of sesame

Distinguish between white and black sesame, brown and reddish, and even golden. In terms of the composition of nutrients, they differ little, but they can be used in different ways. For example, black seeds have a brighter aroma, so they have long been used in the East for pickles, while white seeds are ideal for baking.

For the production of oil, black sesame is used, since it is more aromatic and of high quality from it.

Seed composition

It is not without reason that sesame has been cultivated in Eastern and African countries for thousands of years.Its nutritional properties and rich vitamin composition are beneficial for the human body. So, it includes:

• up to 46-48% fat;
• more than 12% carbohydrates;
• protein - the amount exceeds 19%;
• vitamins B1, B2, PP, E, A, C (it all depends on the sesame variety, for example, A and B prevail in black seeds, and E and C in white seeds);
• magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, sodium, manganese and zinc, and by the amount of calcium it is equal to cow's milk.

It is important to know: if you are allergic to dairy products, the daily intake of calcium can be obtained from 100 g of sesame seeds.

The benefits of sesame

The seeds of this plant, due to their rich composition, are able to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, normalize metabolism and clear blood vessels from cholesterol. If you eat up to 3 tsp daily. sesame seeds, it will prevent diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, and strengthen the skeletal system. Long-term use of seeds rejuvenates the body, restores strength and shine to the hair, makes the nail plate smooth and strong.

Sesame is prohibited for thrombosis and poor blood clotting, sometimes it is contraindicated in urolithiasis.

It is important to know: to get the most out of this product, you should only eat raw seeds, it is better if they are germinated.

Sesame oil

For the sake of oil, this plant is mainly grown by farmers. It is crushed from both roasted and raw seeds. In the first case, it turns out to be darker and more aromatic, in the second - lighter and healthier. It contains such polyunsaturated fatty acids as linoleic, oleic and stearic. It is also rich in vitamins A, F, B, C and E, lecithin, amino acids and minerals. Thanks to the special substances in its composition, it can be stored for up to 7 years.

Sesame oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic properties. It is an excellent immunostimulant and antidepressant. In small quantities, it is recommended to use it for the prevention of diseases and aging.

It is important to know: for overweight people, the consumption of sesame oil should be limited, since 100 g of the product contains almost 900 kcal.

How to grow sesame seeds at home?

• Sesame is a thermophilic plant, the minimum temperature is 15-16 degrees, when the temperature drops, the plant dies. The optimum temperature is about 25 degrees. It is necessary to sow in May, when the threat of frost has passed. The ripening period is 95-120 days. Sesame is a powerful plant, it is necessary to plant it to a depth of 2-3 cm, a distance of 45-70 cm, when planting, fertilize the soil with superphosphates. Abundant watering is required. After weeding, it can be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers. Ripe sesame seeds when the leaves turn yellow.

• Sesame seeds are very popular in Eastern and Asian cuisine, they are used for baking, as well as for the production of very useful sesame oil.

  And so, in order to grow sesame seeds yourself, necessary:

  • before sowing seeds, you need to fertilize the soil with humus, you can add nitrogen fertilizers
  • if the soil is heavy, then you will need to add sand, and if too sandy, then limestone
  • seeds need to be sown in grooves 2-3 centimeters deep
  • the planting rows themselves need to be placed 45-70 cm apart, since the sesame plant is quite powerful
  • sesame seeds need to be sown in the spring, when there is no longer a threat of frost, but if there is a threat of a cold snap, then the crops should be covered with plastic wrap
  • the seeds should ripen within 3 months after sowing (after 1.5 months the plant will begin to bloom)
  • harvest the seeds when the sesame seed pods turn brown
  • it is also desirable that during plant growth the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees, and during seed germination it should not be lower than 16 degrees

• Sesame is a very heat and light demanding plant. It is better to grow it in a pot from the beginning of spring, only to supplement it. It is advisable to water it often. Sesame ripens approximately 95-120 days after planting.

About sesame and the climate of its cultivation

The plant belongs to the genus Sesame. Today, there are more than 10 types of sesame, which are annual. The difference between them also lies in the color of the seeds. So, they are white, black, yellow and brown. The first two types are most often used in cooking.

Today, there are more than 10 types of sesame seeds

It grows wild only in Africa, where it was found for the first time. In addition, India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are considered the birthplace of sesame seeds. Today, India, the Far East, Transcaucasia and Central Asia are major exporters of this plant, because the climate here is most suitable for growing sesame: most of the year it is warm and there is an average rainfall.

Is it growing in Russia

Indeed, widespread cultivation of sesame seeds in Russia is observed in the Krasnodar Territory, where a temperate continental climate prevails. According to scientists, it is possible to establish cultivation in other regions of our country, but it will be very troublesome, because poor conditions for development will not allow the sesame to grow above 80 cm.In turn, this will affect the number of fruits and their size.

Conditions required for growing

Sesame loves warmth and a lot of light (daylight hours should last at least 12 hours), therefore the most favorable climate for its growth is considered to be subtropical and tropical, where the annual rainfall ranges from 100-500 mm. It is typical for North and South Africa, South and Southeast Asia. If the amount of heat is insufficient, the seeds cannot fully ripen and are rather scarce. For the normal development of seedlings, a temperature is needed within +18 or +20 degrees. As for the seeds, they develop best when the thermometer reads at +15 or +16 degrees.

Sesame loves warmth and a lot of light

If, after the emergence of seedlings, the temperature deteriorates greatly (it often rains, the temperature drops), then the plant begins to rot and dies. Frosts are generally unacceptable for him, as well as high humidity. It is strictly forbidden to plant sesame seeds in swampy or too wet areas of the land.

Of all sesame seeds, black and white are the most popular.

When planning to plant sesame seeds near the house, do not forget that the air temperature during the day should not fall below +25 or +30 degrees, and the soil should be warm enough (at least up to +16 degrees).

Sesame varieties

Of all the sesame seeds, black and white are the most popular. They have many differences regarding not only appearance, but also useful properties.

Gallery: main varieties of sesame

All sesame varieties are cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates. The difference between them is only in color and some taste characteristics. All varieties are used in cooking and are extremely beneficial for the human body.

How a plant develops from a small sprout to the moment of formation and maturation of seeds in capsules

An adult plant can reach 3 m in height. There are sinuses near the leaves, from which, in the process of sesame growth, bright pink, white or lilac flowers appear.

The flowering period lasts from June to July. The peculiarity of flowers is that on the second day they wither, and in their place a pod up to 5 cm long grows. It is in it that sesame seeds are located. According to some estimates, their number can reach 100 pieces. Harvested in August or September.

Agrotechnology: growing rules

For planting this plant, use gray seeds, which are best purchased in specialized stores. The most acceptable soil for it will be light loamy soil or sandy black soil. The groundwater level should not be too deep. At the same time, excess moisture is not permissible, because sesame does not tolerate it.

Before starting the sowing process, the soil is thoroughly plowed, moistened, weeds are selected from it and leveled. The less weeds are on the site, the better the plant will develop. The correct fertilizer can also help him in this: phosphorus, potash, nitrogen, manure, humus.

Before starting the sowing process, the soil is thoroughly plowed, moistened, weeds are selected from it and leveled

Grains begin to sow in a well-warmed ground. To do this, make grooves up to 3 cm deep. The distance between them should not be less than 50 cm. Seeds are sprinkled with earth on top and tamped. The first shoots appear within a week, but until this moment agronomists make sure that a hard crust does not form on the surface of the earth, which will prevent the rapid appearance of shoots. As a result, the soil is loosened and weeded.

With the emergence of seedlings, they are thinned out, leaving one sprout every 6 cm. Harvest when the plant becomes not green, but brown.

Is it possible to grow sesame seeds on your own in the country or at home

You can also grow sesame seeds at home, but it is important to follow the main recommendations of experts:

1. Sesame can grow if you prepare seedlings for it;
2. Consider fertilizing before planting seeds in it;
3. Do not water the sprouts too often or too much, otherwise they will rot;
4. Choose the sunniest and warmest place on the property or in your home.

Germinating sesame seeds for seedlings

For faster germination of seeds, it is imperative to soak them. For this, ordinary water is suitable, to which you need to add 1 teaspoon of honey and aloe juice. Having poured the grains into the prepared solution, they are kept in it for at least one day.

After the allotted time, the soaked seeds are spread on the previously prepared fertile soil, poured into a shallow box. Their depth in the ground should not exceed 3 cm. Covering the container with plastic wrap, place it near a battery or other warm place. In order for the grains to sprout faster, they need a temperature of at least +25 degrees..

When the first shoots appear (after 6–8 days), the box is removed on the windowsill closer to the light and wait for their better germination. A prerequisite is to thin out the seedlings, leaving one sprout every 6 cm.

How to transplant seeds that have hatched into the ground

Sesame is planted in the soil when the soil has warmed up enough (at least up to +18 degrees). Choose the sunniest place, which is recommended to be fertilized in early spring with a special mixture: for 1 square meter you need 100 g of superphosphate, 25 g of potassium chloride and 25 g of ammonium nitrate.

When the stem hardens and the first leaves appear on it, the sesame is transplanted to a permanent place. This happens about 35-40 days.

Is it possible to grow seedlings on a windowsill in winter

Growing sesame seeds in winter is not prohibited, because it is located near the battery, which is favorable for its development. Provide enough sunlight for the sesame seeds and weed them regularly. Do not forget to periodically process the culture with special means that will help avoid the development of diseases and the appearance of pests.

Planting seedlings in open ground

For planting, the earth is deepened by 8-10 cm and seedlings are planted in turn. Previously, the soil must be well loosened, fertilized and completely cleaned of weeds. The distance between seedlings should be at least 6-10 cm, and between rows - from 50 to 60 cm.

Care

It is a simple process, because it requires frequent loosening of the soil, not too abundant watering and removal of weeds. It is necessary to feed the plant only when the flowering period has not begun (it happens on the 50-60th day), but the second leaves have already appeared.

To prevent sesame seeds from attacking diseases (bacteriosis, wilt), timely weed control, as well as the use of special agrotechnical means, will help.

Sesame is an extremely useful plant that can be grown both in the fields and in the garden near the house. For this process to occur correctly, you need to try to provide all the necessary conditions for the proper development of the plant and the ripening of its seeds. Only in this case you will receive grains rich in vitamins and microelements that can replace many food products.

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Sesame seeds and oil have been widely used in cooking and folk medicine for a long time. For example, in ancient Rome, plant seeds were considered a remedy for male impotence, and in Assyrian and Babylonian myths, sesame wine was a drink of the gods. About how sesame grows and whether it can be grown in a summer cottage - in the material below.

What does a sesame plant look like?

Sesame is a genus of plants called Sesamum in Latin. From here comes the second name of the genus - sesame. The famous fairy spell "Sesame, open", apparently, has to do with the eastern legends about the magic herb that can open locks.

All sesame plants are herbaceous annuals or perennials. Since there are many forms, it is difficult to unambiguously describe what a sesame plant looks like.

As a rule, it has one upright, powerful stem, but some species are capable of branching. The leaves are deep green in color, opposite or alternate. In the leaf axils, flowers with a bell-shaped or funnel-shaped corolla are located along the entire height of the stem. From them, fruit boxes with small seeds subsequently ripen.

Types and varieties of sesame

The genus Sesamum unites over 20 different species. But only one of them entered the culture as a valuable oil plant - Indian sesame (Sesamum indicum).

Indian sesame is a vigorous annual. Its stem is slightly pubescent, and the flowers are pinkish, white or lilac in color. Each box ripens from 60 to 80 seeds. In the nests of the boxes, they are stacked in “piles”.

To date, the State Register of Breeding Achievements contains only 2 varieties approved for cultivation on the territory of Russia:

Vizier	Mid-season	Rounded, cream	Resistant to drought and acacia weevil
Solar	Early maturing	Rounded, yellow	Resistant to drought, bacteriosis

Early maturity and resistance to soil and climatic conditions is a very important factor. It is noticed that the adaptive properties of Indian sesame are rather weak. For example, plant ecotypes that successfully grow in the arid regions of Central Asia do not take root in the humid climate of the North Caucasus. Therefore, when choosing seeds for sowing, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations for the growing zone.

Natural habitat: where and how it grows

Indian sesame, in fact, is of African origin. In its natural environment, it grows in the southeast of the continent, in the humid subtropics. This plant was brought to India during the Great Geographical Discoveries. Similar climatic conditions allowed sesame seeds to successfully take root in a new place, and it is India that is now the main region of its industrial cultivation.

Countries where sesame seeds grow are located in different parts of the planet:

• Southeast Asia (India, Pakistan, Burma, China) - 70% of the cultivated area;
• Africa (Sudan, Nigeria, Sierra Lyone, Ethiopia) - 23% of the cultivated area;
• North and South America (Guatemala, Venezuela, Mexico) - 7% of the cultivated area.

In Europe, sesame is cultivated in small quantities. In Russia, the sowing of fields with this crop began quite recently - mainly in the Krasnodar Territory and in the North Caucasus.

Growing sesame seeds in the garden

An analysis of the natural conditions in which Indian sesame was formed as a species gives a general idea of ​​the ecological characteristics of the plant:

• High heat demand. The optimum average daily temperature required for the formation of vegetative mass is from +22 to +25 C.During the period of flowering and fruit formation, the need for heat increases, and a cold snap can cause a massive discharge of buds and ovaries.
• High demand for moisture supply. Since sesame is a subtropical plant, even its drought-resistant varieties are sensitive to air and soil moisture. With a lack of irrigation, the fruit setting drops sharply and the crop yield decreases.
• High demands on soil fertility. High-humus chernozems, chestnut soils, light structural loams, sandy loam are optimal for growing sesame. Heavy cold clayey soils, swampy and saline, low-humus sandy and peaty soils are unsuitable.

All these requirements must be taken into account before sowing in the garden.

The agricultural technology of its sowing includes the following activities:

• pre-sowing seed dressing with a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
• sowing in soil heated at a depth of 10 cm to a temperature of 16-18 C;
• planting seeds to a depth of 3-4 cm and thorough watering until shoots appear.

Sesame sowing is done in rows, the interval between which should be at least 50 cm. The seeding rate is 1 g of seeds per 1 square meter. If the air temperature is unstable, crops must be protected with spunbond.

Basic rules of care

Under favorable conditions, sesame seeds germinate quickly - 3-5 days.

After the emergence of seedlings, two mandatory operations are performed:

• thinning - 6-10 cm is left between shoots in a row;
• mulching - the top layer of the soil is covered, both between shoots and between rows.

For mulching sesame seeds, it is better to choose an organic, rapidly decomposing mulch - fine straw chaff, peat, compost, grass cuttings.

These materials will help you achieve four goals simultaneously:

1. Protection of the topsoil from drying out. The seedling root system develops slowly, is located at a shallow depth and quickly dies from a lack of moisture. Mulch prevents irrigation water from evaporating quickly, sintering the soil into a crust.
2. Natural feeding with carbon dioxide. Plants build up their vegetative mass by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. Organic mulch decays and releases it directly under the plants.
3. Increased activity of soil flora. Under the layer of mulch, a favorable environment is created for the reproduction of beneficial bacteria, many of which are antagonists for various pathogenic fungi. The activity of earthworms and predatory insects that eat pests also increases.
4. Maintaining a constant soil temperature. Under the mulch, the soil will neither overcool nor overheat. A stable temperature in the root zone enables the plant to normally absorb nutrients from the soil.

At the onset of the budding phase, the plant must be fed. There are no special fertilizers for this crop in Russia, so you need to focus on the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

It should be as follows:

• nitrogen (N) - 20;
• phosphorus (P) - 30;
• potassium (K) - 30.

It is better to apply top dressing in liquid form, accompanying it with abundant watering. It is also important during the periods of budding, flowering and ripening of fruits to carefully monitor the moisture content of the soil.

Collection and storage of sesame seeds

The moment of ripening can be determined by a number of external signs:

• yellowing of the plant;
• drying of the lower leaves;
• drying of the bolls.

However, harvesting can be difficult, since the bolls on the stem do not ripen at the same time - the lower ones are faster than the upper ones. Therefore, mowing is started only after the beginning of cracking of the lowest boxes.

The beveled sesame stalks are laid out on a clean sheet and the boxes are carefully removed. Then the stems are harvested, and the fruits are dried. Fully dried pods can be easily opened with fingers, and seeds are poured into the hand.

It is better to store sesame seeds unpeeled from the outer shell. To ensure optimal storage conditions for the product, you need to pour the seeds into paper bags, close them tightly and put them in a dry, unheated room. At temperatures close to 0 C, seeds are well preserved for six months.

Sesame is not only suitable for culinary purposes. Its medicinal properties are noted in folk medicine. Therefore, its independent cultivation in a garden plot, although it is associated with large labor costs, pays off with the benefits that the plant brings.