5.1.3 Sowing for seeds and phytocompounds

While in cultivation for fibre purposes it is important to achieve a high plant density and plant height by having the seed rows at short distances (10-15 cm), the experience shows that cultivation for seed and flowers benefits from larger plant spacing (50-75 cm). Under these conditions the plant forms wider branches, generally obtaining more flowers/seed per square metre. The fibres of such plants are short and potentially useful for technical applications. Seed multiplication is not yet competitive under Dutch climate conditions. Cultivation and harvesting for flowers’ phytocompounds is not yet allowed in the Netherlands.