The tropical plant used is called kenaf, a relative of bamboo, cotton and okra. It takes the place of oil-based products in the midsize SUV and should save 300,000 pounds of oil-based resin in North America alone this year. The use of the plant lightens the materical inside the doors by 25 percent, doing its part to improve overall fuel efficiency. Kenaf fibers can be used to make paper and cardboard in place of wood and its upper leaves and shoots are edible.

Imagine a crop that can take carbon out of the air, grows super fast and can also save pine forests. Well kenaf is that crop and so much more! Here we will explore a tiny piece of the entire story of kenaf.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)

How would you like to plant some seeds and have them germinate within two days? Well let's talk about an amazing plant called kenaf. Yes I was amazed to see my first seeds sprout in just two days. Wow!


Imagine a crop that can take carbon out of the air, grows super fast and can also save pine forests. Well kenaf is that crop and so much more! Here we will explore a tiny piece of the entire story of kenaf.

Kenaf has an ancient history. The plant has been cultivated for over 6,000 years. Kenaf fiber was and is still used by some to make sails for Egyptian boats. In Cuba my grandfather grew fields of kenaf to use as feed for his cattle.

Africa, India, Russia and China have been growing these plants for hundreds of years. Kenaf plants are self fertile and will self pollinate. Insects like bees are also attracted to the flowers and greatly assist in pollination. Kenaf flowers last one day.

Kenaf is related to okra and cotton. Kenaf when planted at production densities averaging 200,000 plants per acre grow single stem with little to no branching. Stem color varies from pure green to deep burgundy. Flowers are borne singly, with five yellow petals and a red "blood spot" in the center of the flower. Leaves generally take two forms: deeply lobed and entire more or less resembling cotton leaves. Other varieties resemble Hemp and Cannabis (Tainung #2). 

Kenaf came onto the scene during WW II. as Jute exports from Southeast Asia were disrupted during this war. In 1933 Hemp production was outlawed in the U.S.A. The USDA began to look at other possible fiber crops with kenaf showing the most promise

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Tip:   If you don't want the DEA at your farm don't grow the Tainung #2 variety!

Kenaf fiber is derived from the stem. Bark fibers are excellent for use as cordage and also for paper pulp and fabric. The core, or woody fibers can also be utilized in the production of, absorbents, animal bedding, and soil-less potting media. Research has found that the whole stalk of kenaf plants could be utilized in the production of paper with very little bleaching and chemical additives. 

The kenaf seed oil is also used in cosmetics, industrial lubricants and for biofuel production. Kenaf oil is high in omega polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which are now known to help in keeping humans healthy. Kenaf seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid (Omega-6) a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Linoleic acid is the dominant PUFA, followed by oleic acid,  Alpha-linolenic acid content is about 2 to 4 percent. The PUFAs are essential fatty acids for normal growth and health. Furthermore, they are important for reducing cholesterol and heart diseases.

The study of kenaf and its benefits date back to the 1940s and today more and more interest is being generated for this crop. Recently Ford Motor Company has considered using the fiber as insulation for automobile door panels. The feasibility of utilizing kenaf as a source of natural fiber appears to be a real one!

Today ranchers are using kenaf as a green forage crop. The kenaf seed industry has also grown extensively over the last 25 years. Most growers are in South Texas and Florida.

Kenaf can be grown in almost all of the U.S. The best locations for growing kenaf are the Southern States. South Florida was found to be one of the best. South Florida offers frost free temperatures and seed can be produced late into the year. Incredibly some varieties are grown in northern states. 

Two of the finest varieties available for South Florida are Everglades 41 and 71.  These varieties show great resistance to anthracnose.  In South Florida E-41 and E-71 are excellent also because they maintain vegetative growth for a longer period than most other varieties. These improved kenaf cultivars remain vegetative until the daylight period falls below 12.5 hours. When the daylight hours are reduced to less than 12.5 Kenaf plants begin to flower. Flowers develop pods and seeds for commercial plantings and for a wide range of uses. When growing Kenaf for seed it is important to remember to take all precautions to avoid cross pollination from relatives of kenaf like, okra and cotton. Many pollinators are attracted to the flowers of kenaf so here lies the potential for cross pollination and the development of non true to type plants from seed. 

Cross pollination can help to develop hybrids that can be grown in other areas of the United States. Here at Pepe's Fruit Trees we are growing E-41 in containers for research purposes and as of 11-14-12 our plants have started to flower.

Growing Tips:
Kenaf grows best on well-drained, fertile soils with plenty of organic matter and a slight variation in  pH from acid to alkaline. These plants can withstand late season flooding, low soil fertility and are  drought tolerant. They are not very salt tolerant and will decline slowly as the salinity increases in the soil. Start seeds in a bright location but not in direct sunlight. Seeds can be sowed at about one inch deep. Harden your seedlings off and then grow in full sun. Field grown plants are sowed in the ground and spaced about six to twelve inches apart. Kenaf should be grown in a dense grouping. Harvesting seed capsules can be irritating to the skin, eyes and nose.

Conclusion:
So far we don't have much to offer you as a conclusion because we are still growing and evaluating this plant. We probably will harvest seeds and make them available to any interested party. We will also offer plants and might even try and dry some to make fiber. I bet I could make a few feet of rope. 

Kenaf has much to offer but without a nearby processing facility in South Florida, kenaf has an uncertain future as a real commercial alternative crop to grow in Florida. Imagine the potential Kenaf can offer our State. We can do amazing things to help create a better planet. Hey anybody listening? 

California takes the lead!
Kenaf is being taken very seriously in California by Kenaf Group International based in Sebastapol. From what I am seeing and hearing this plant is going to be the next big thing in sustainable agriculture. Stay tuned. Green solutions are closer than you think.

Jason "Pepe"