Rox Orange Sorghum
- Species: Sorghum bicolor
- Family: Poaceae
- Genus: Sorghum
- Plant Type: Annual grain/forage
- Zones: 3-10
Description:
Rox Orange Sorghum is a heritage variety of sorghum prized for its sweet stalks and versatile uses. Known for producing tall, sturdy plants with juicy canes, it is often grown for making sorghum syrup, livestock forage, or as a unique grain crop. The sweet flavor of the stalk juice makes it especially popular among small farmers and homesteaders. In addition to its practical uses, Rox Orange Sorghum adds ornamental value to gardens with its stately growth and attractive seed heads.
Planting Instructions:
- Soil & Location: Prefers warm, well-drained soil with full sun. Tolerant of poorer soils and drought once established, making it a resilient choice for diverse conditions.
- Sowing: Sow seeds directly outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F (15°C).
- Planting Depth & Spacing: Plant seeds about 1 inch deep, spacing plants 6-12 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during germination and early growth. Once mature, sorghum is drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering.
- Care: Low-maintenance and hardy, sorghum requires little beyond weeding during early growth. Harvest stalks when they are mature for syrup production or allow seed heads to ripen for grain. Rox Orange can reach 8-10 feet tall in good conditions.
Rox Orange Sorghum is an excellent multipurpose crop—ideal for syrup, forage, grain, or as a bold ornamental statement. Its resilience and productivity make it a trusted heritage variety for both traditional and modern growers.
