The history of this most ancient culture begins far back in the past. It is known that mummies of the Egyptian Pharaohs have been enveloped in the bandage made of flax. The shroud which has covered Christ's body also was linen.
Industrial cultivation
Clothes from flax were worn by regal persons and the nobility. To this day linen products are highly appreciated enough as are hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, hydroscopic and strong.
From more than hundred types of sort Linum in production is used only one – Linum ordinary. It is one-year grassy culture up to 150 cm high with naked stalk and narrow lantsetny leaves. The stalk comes to an end with pseudo-umbrella inflorescence with flowers characteristic blue (more rare white) colors.
In lean production grow up such subspecies of flax as fiber flax – for receiving fiber, and olive species of flax – for receiving seeds and production of linseed oil.
Cultivation on the site
Large-scale industrial cultivation of flax does not mean at all that this culture cannot be grown up on personal plot. It is quite possible, besides will not demand special efforts. Flax – culture quite unpretentious and simple in leaving. It is clear, that you will hardly be able to make of it sound linen cloth, however as decoration of the site and also for the purpose of collecting curative seeds of the burns which are widely used in traditional medicine for treatment and diseases of skin, recovery of work of bodies of digestive tract and many other illnesses. It can grow up this beautiful and useful plant to any amateur gardener.
Crops and leaving
It is better to begin preparation of the soil for crops of flax in the fall. The ridges before used for cultivation of potatoes or bean cultures will be the optimum place for landing. After harvesting on these ridges do deep (up to 30 cm) redigging, introduce potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, then, before frosts, carry out cultivation on depth to 10 cm. Carry out one more redigging on depth to 8-10 cm in the spring and introduce nitrogen fertilizers. Then, before the crops, the site is carefully loosened and leveled. Seeds in two days prior to disembarkation process any fungicides for increase in resistance to diseases. Along with it, for growth stimulation, it is possible to process them any biostimulants. Crops is carried out in the middle of May by wide-row way on depth of 2 cm, leaving between ranks distance not less than 8 cm. Care for the appeared shoots consists in regular loosening not to allow education on the surface of the soil of crust, and thorough removal of weeds. By the way, flax is wonderful predecessor of future potato landings so its cultivation ideally prepares the area for this culture.