Annual fibre crops

Flax, Linum usitatissimum, is the same plant species as Linseed, but grown for its fibre rather than its oil. Varieties of flax are specifically bred for fibre quality. There is increasing interest in growing flax in the UK. Uses are shown on the right.

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Flax is a spring-sown crop, best suited to free-draining silty or loamy soils. It takes about 100 days to mature, normally in August. At harvest, flax can be pulled or cut depending on the end market. Pulling is for long fibre, for scutching and eventually spinning. This is for high end markets, but does come with high costs - machinery is specialised, and risk is high. Flax is being cut in the same way as Hemp, particularly in the UK. This short and medium fiber goes through the same decortication process as Hemp, it is then used in the same products and applications as Hemp - building materials, mattresses, co-spinning with wool for upholstery and some garments, and composites - woven and non-woven. This cutting and decorticating is a far cheaper option, with less risks, but less financial reward as well.

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As with hemp, a mix of moist conditions and dry weather are required to enable the retting process and then baling and removal of the crop.

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Flax has a low requirement for nitrogen fertiliser, but potash is important for fibre quality. Effective weed control is vital, typically involving a pre-emergence herbicide treatment. Most disease risks can be controlled through fungicide treatment at flowering. The main pest threat is large flax flea beetle, which can cause damage to cotyledons or first leaves of young plant.