We are doing a 'grain growing project' on our allotment site with one of our local schools; we've been sent seed samples of various grains (the type that would be used in bird seed mixtures); I know all the other varieties or have found information on their botanical names on the internet but I can't find anything on 'Red Dari' apart from the fact that its used in bird seed mixtures! I've germinated some of the seed and it looks a bit like Millet when it starts growing (although Millet is slow to germinate and this germinated quite quickly) so its obviously of the 'grass' family. The seed is a pale red/brown colour and is a bit larger than Millet. The origin of the seed was India. Any ideas would be welcome.
Red Dari is grain sorghum specifically 'Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench'
Synonyms
S. vulgare Pers.; Andropogon sorghum (L.) Brot
http://www.aluka.org/action/showCompilationPage?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.COMPILATION.PLANT-NAME-SPECIES.SORGHUM.BICOLOR
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Sorghum+bicolor
Hi Baccy Man:
Thank you very much for this information. I felt sure that someone on A4A would be able to help!
We were going to direct sow but I now think I'd better plant out the seedlings into pots and keep in my greenhouse and plant them out later, as it appears to be quite tender. I think its also going to need more space than we thought.
As well as growing these seed crops, the school is doing an extended project with the children and they have to find out where the crop is generally grown and what its used for so the links you have given will be great.