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Type 1
- from retted straw
- less than 10 % shive
- with additional processing could be used in textile, plastic
composites and insulation
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Type 2
- from retted straw
- more than 10% shive
- with additional processing could be used in textile, plastic
composites and insulation |
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Type 3
- from partially retted straw
- less than 20% shive
- with additional processing
or as is, could be used in certain
plastic composites, insulation,
geotextiles and specialty paper |
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Type 4
- from partially retted straw
- more than 20% shive
- with additional processing
or as is, could be used in certain
plastic composites, insulation,
geotextiles and specialty paper |
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Flax fiber is one of the oldest textile
material (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linen). Long line fiber is used for high end
textiles. The tow resulting from the
breaking, scutching, hackling and combing has been predominantly used for
stuffing, paper and rougher textiles as well as many household uses, some of
the traditional and new uses for flax tow length fibers can be found on our
“Potential Page”. Even shive had uses in the old times and still continues,
more present day uses can be found on our “Potential Page” .
Flax for fiber production is commercially
seeded at 80 to 100 kgs/ha, with 120 kgs/ha producing fine even stems that will
improve consistent and quicker retting than a lower seeding rate. Flax for fiber seed should be planted in a
broadcast pattern to improve competition, if row seeding is the only option
there will be no noticeable difference at a seeding rate higher than 80
kgs/ha. In the small scale operation, a
one meter square plot should have 2,400 seeds (giving a 120 kg/ha seeding
rate), a rule of thumb is to have a 10% extra seeding rate to reduce the chance
of a lower germination rate due to seed storage, weather, or soil type. When seeding flax for fiber, 2,640 seeds
(2,400 seeds plus 10%) generally equates to 13 to 14 grams per meter squared.
Flax for fiber needs good soil, good
drainage and full sun. After spreading
the seed, raking and packing will greatly improve your crop yield. Mist the
area until germination. Harvest is approximately
95 to 100 days after it is sown. A good
site that shows the hand harvesting of flax for linen: http://fiberarts.ca/blog/linen-at-joybilee-farm/
We are presently Not selling seed, but you can purchase fiber flax seed from:
http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X2702&show=&prodclass=Herb_and_Vegetable_Seeds&cart_id=385704.10104
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