Hey! Arnold Hemp.3

Hemp How Hemp is Harvested~

Processing After Harvesting is Done~ Once the hemp is harvested, it must go through a very important process called retting. Retting is the process of separating the fiber from the rest of the plant. This is not an easy process and can be accomplished through several methods where moisture, microorganisms, or chemistry break down the bark tissue that binds the fiber and non-fiber portions, making them easier to separate. * Water retting can take up to five weeks to process.

-- Water retting occurs when the stems are soaked in water. It takes 7-10

days and produces better quality fiber. * Green retting is a mechanical process that separates the components to use fiber products.

-- Chemical retting can take up to 48 hours until the next process can be

instigated.

Fiber hemp is ready to be harvested around the time that the plant is finished producing pollen and the first seeds start to grow develop. However, this varies with the variety and maturity of the fiber. If left beyond this stage, the fiber becomes too coarse. It is found that fiber from the male plant dies very soon after pollination. Hemp is very sensitive to light so early planting will produce taller crops and therefore you will have more fiber grow. Stems must not be chopped or broken too much in the harvesting process because long fibers are more desirable.

* Hemp is grown in North America, Canada, and Asia. * Hemp is used in different ways all over the world. China uses hemp in different bandages similar to gauze. Japan uses the hemp seed as a condiment in many of their restaurants. Also in Europe hemp fibers are used to strengthen cement. * The source of our fiber comes from the hemp plant.

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