Sesame Seeds
Sesamum indicum
This mix of sesame seeds are fairly easy to grow in Hawaii's tropical climate. The plants will produce tan, black, red or white seeds, which can be enjoyed toasted or roasted, and are often added to a variety of local and Asian cuisines. Sesamum indicum can also be grown as a cover crop to inhibit the growth of root knot nematodes in tropical soils. To learn more about using sesame to inhibit root knot nematodes in your garden see this research by the University of Florida: Cover Crops for Managing Root Knot Nematodes
Enjoy growing your own sesame seeds for noodle dishes, stir fry, furikake, baked goods, salad dressings, and much more! Seeds can also be crushed to extract oil or used to make tahini. After the flowers are pollinated you will see pods begin to grow. The lower pods mature and dry first and are a good indicator the plant is ready to be harvested. Cut the plants at the base of the stalk, and hang stalks to dry. As the pods dry, seeds will begin to fall and can be shaken loose from the pods fairly easily. Winnowing and sifting the resulting seeds through a collander will allow you to get rid of any small debris before cooking. Plants prefer well-drained soil, and can reach 2 to 3 feet tall, and up to 3' wide. For larger plants, give more spacing. Flowers will either be pink or white.
Cultivation:
Depth: 1/2"
Spacing: 2-3'
Sun: Full sun
Days to maturity: 85-90
80 seeds per packet