Variety field guide
What to expect from Martin Milo Sorghum
Martin Milo grows reddish-brown grain on sturdy plants about three to four feet tall, making a small grain patch easier to manage than towering syrup sorghum.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Martin Milo grows reddish-brown grain on sturdy plants about three to four feet tall, making a small grain patch easier to manage than towering syrup sorghum. Selection of this double-dwarf milo is attributed to W. P. Martin of Lubbock, Texas, in 1937. The mature heads can be cut and threshed for grain or bird feed. Give this warm-season crop a long summer and keep young plants free of competing weeds.
A compact old grain sorghum for the garden and grain bin.
Variety and background
Sow grain sorghum 1-1.5 inches deep, adjusting within that range for soil moisture; the former quarter-inch instruction was too shallow.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Sorghum bicolor |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / harvest basis | 120-129 Days |
| Seed depth | 1/2 in |
| Germination | 7-14 days |
| Germination temperature | 75-90 F |
| Plant height / spread | 37–48 in |
| Plant spacing | 12 in |
| Row spacing | 24 in |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Pollination type | Open-Pollinated (OP) |
Starting from seed
Direct sow after frost in soil above 60 F, about 1-1 1/2 in. deep into moisture. At 75-90 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 8-12 in. apart, rows 24 in. apart. Give sun, drainage and water during establishment and grain fill.
Planting and care
Direct sow after frost in soil above 60 F, about 1-1 1/2 in. deep into moisture. At 75-90 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 8-12 in. apart, rows 24 in. apart. Give sun, drainage and water during establishment and grain fill. Sow grain sorghum 1-1.5 inches deep, adjusting within that range for soil moisture; the former quarter-inch instruction was too shallow.
Harvest and use
Allow about 120 days from sowing. Cut heads when grain is hard; dry with airflow, thresh and winnow. Store thoroughly dry grain. For seed, isolate other flowering sorghums and save several true-to-type plants.
Saving seed
Select typical, healthy plants and collect fully mature, dry grain from several heads. Sorghum usually self-pollinates but can cross with nearby sorghum through wind. Separate varieties when seed purity matters; A home-garden isolation range is 100–200 feet; the required distance depends on the purity goal and nearby flowering sorghum. Save from multiple plants, dry thoroughly, and label the variety, year, and lot.
Common problems
Weeds can overwhelm young seedlings, and birds may remove grain before harvest. Drought during head development reduces yield. Inspect for aphids, head damage, mold, and lodging. Keep harvested heads dry and airy; grain stored before it is fully dry can spoil.
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes this selection?
Sow grain sorghum 1-1.5 inches deep, adjusting within that range for soil moisture; the former quarter-inch instruction was too shallow.
How should I start it?
Direct sow after frost in soil above 60 F, about 1-1 1/2 in. deep into moisture. At 75-90 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 8-12 in. apart, rows 24 in. apart. Give sun, drainage and water during establishment and grain fill.
When and how should I harvest?
Allow about 120 days from sowing. Cut heads when grain is hard; dry with airflow, thresh and winnow. Store thoroughly dry grain. For seed, isolate other flowering sorghums and save several true-to-type plants.
Can I save seed?
Select typical, healthy plants and collect fully mature, dry grain from several heads. Sorghum usually self-pollinates but can cross with nearby sorghum through wind. Separate varieties when seed purity matters; A home-garden isolation range is 100–200 feet; the required distance depends on the purity goal and nearby flowering sorghum. Save from multiple plants, dry thoroughly, and label the variety, year, and lot.
