For fiber sunnhemp is grown on fairly light well-drained soils that retain sufficient moisture during the growing season. Sunnhemp is a short-day crop, but vegetative growth is favored by long days, although seed set may be poor. Although tolerant of drought, sunnhemp has low tolerance to salt and frost. Cultivation After plowing, seed is broadcast by hand or a device consisting of a canvas bag containing the seed with a blower attached. Then the land is cross-plowed.
Seed is sown at different rates at different times depending on the use of the crop.
The heavy seed rate insures upright erect stems which help to smother weeds, produces a finer fiber and increases the yield. Sunnhemp is a dryland crop. Where irrigated, furrows are opened in fields separating them into small plots. If there is no rain after sowing, field is irrigated along these furrows. Crop is irrigated once in 10-15 days, lightly compared to other crops, like tobacco and chilies.