Product Description

Moldavian 5-rays with long sleeved hands
Length - 85 cm
Width - 30 cm

There are several varieties of sorghum that produce long straight stems for brooms. Their potential was first recognized in Italy nearly 300 years ago, and the broom sorghum varieties have been gradually spreading across the world. Despite this, little was known about the crops in Bolivia, so the British Overseas Development Administration has been funding a programme to collect available data on the crop. Researchers have been testing local varieties and have ascertained that plant density has a big effect on the stem produced. As part of the background work, the researchers have managed to obtain seeds from the United States, Argentina and India. These new varieties will be tested in the coming year. Farmers' cooperatives and other similar institutions will be asked to produce their own seed.

A high-quality broom corn brush exhibits a rich, bright green colored stalk with tassels free from discoloration. Fibers should be pliable, smooth and straight. A standard household broom requires broom corn straw fibers that are approximately 18-22 inches long. Brushes that are bleached, overripe, coarse, or crooked are considered sub-quality.
When its time to harvest broom corn, cut stalks with a sharp knife or machete, leaving a long stem. Each stack is then hung upside down to dry or laid flat on drying racks. Drying time is approximately three weeks when stalks are hung in a warm, covered, well-ventilated space.
When the tassels are used for broom-making, excess seeds can be removed by combing each tassel with a wide-toothed comb.
Excess broom corn seeds can be saved for next springs planting.