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Seeds and cane from Black Amber Sorghum with a stone bowl full of syrup on a white background.
A close-up look at Black Amber Sorghum seeds and cane with a side of sorghum syrup on a linen background.
Seeds and cane from Black Amber Sorghum with a stone bowl full of syrup on a linen background.
Black Amber Sorghum on a stalk in the outside gardens at Baker Creek.
Black Amber Sorghum growing in the Cabin Garden at Baker Creek against a bright blue sky.
Seeds and cane from Black Amber Sorghum with a stone bowl full of syrup on a white background.
A close-up look at Black Amber Sorghum seeds and cane with a side of sorghum syrup on a linen background.
Seeds and cane from Black Amber Sorghum with a stone bowl full of syrup on a linen background.
Black Amber Sorghum on a stalk in the outside gardens at Baker Creek.
Black Amber Sorghum growing in the Cabin Garden at Baker Creek against a bright blue sky.

Sorghum Seeds,
Black Amber

4.52 ReviewsSKU: #SR107
Price
Regular price $3.50
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Min. 150 seeds

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Description

Black Amber is one of the earliest cane sorghums introduced into American agriculture. While it is not as sweet as other cane sorghums, it is very high quality and has many uses.  The 8- to 9-foot-tall stalks can be used to make sorghum molasses or silage. Many people grow it for their chickens! A great heirloom grain from Waco, Texas. Sorghum is an excellent soil conditioner, and it makes a good summer cover crop as well.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Sorghum bicolor
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
6–8 hr.
Days to Germinate
4–10
Days to Maturity
99–100
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
8–12 in.
Ideal Temperature
60–90°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Wait until three to four weeks past your last spring frost, when soil temperatures hold at 60 to 65 degrees F, then direct sow Black Amber 1/4 inch deep and about an inch apart, thinning to 8 to 12 inches in the row. Seedlings appear in 4 to 10 days and the crop finishes in roughly 99 to 100 days. Sorghum demands hot summer weather, and this variety doubles as an excellent soil conditioner and a good summer cover crop.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Sow seeds directly into soil three to four weeks after the last frost date or when soil has warmed up to 60-65 degrees consistently.
  • Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, one inch apart.
  • Thin to four to six inches apart in the rows.
  • Seeds germinate in 4-10 days.

How to Grow

  • Straw mulch can be used, but sorghum grows quickly and usually shades out and out-competes weeds.
  • Sorghum is drought tolerant, but if leaves begin to curl in super dry conditions, give the plants a drink.
  • This is a care-free plant; it does not take much except heat to thrive.
  • Expect your plants to grow from 8 to 12 feet high.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Sorghum demands hot summer weather. Northern growers should look for short-season varieties.

How to Save Seeds

  • Sorghum is wind-pollinated, but it will not cross with anything except other sorghum varieties. It is wise to grow just one variety a year to avoid contamination. Caging techniques may also be employed to avoid crossing varieties.
  • Allow seeds to dry on the plants.
  • They can be handpicked or harvested by cutting off the flower heads and placing them in a bag. To release the seeds from the chaff, use a rubber mallet or step firmly on the bag to crush the heads.
  • Seeds will remain viable for up to 5 years.

FAQ

Is Black Amber as sweet as other cane sorghums?

It is not as sweet as other cane sorghums, but it is very high quality and has many uses. It is one of the earliest cane sorghums introduced into American agriculture, an heirloom from Waco, Texas.

What do people grow Black Amber for?

The 8- to 9-foot-tall stalks can be used to make sorghum molasses or silage, and many people grow it for their chickens. It is also an excellent soil conditioner and makes a good summer cover crop.

Will I have to fight weeds in the patch?

Straw mulch can be used, but sorghum grows quickly and usually shades out and out-competes weeds on its own.

Customer reviews

4.5 / 5 2 Reviews
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