Broom corn is a specialized annual plant cultivated almost exclusively for the fibers of its flower head, which are used to manufacture brooms and brushes. Despite its common name, it is not a type of maize but a variety of the grain sorghum species. This tall, hardy crop has been a primary source of sweeping material for centuries. The plant provides the raw, stiff, yet flexible material that made traditional household brooms possible before the advent of modern synthetic fibers.
Botanical Identity and Key Characteristics
Broom corn is classified scientifically as a variety of Sorghum bicolor, specifically Sorghum bicolor var. technicum. Unlike relatives grown for grain or sweet sap, this variety is characterized by a distinctive, elongated panicle, or “brush,” at the top of the stalk. These panicles feature long, straight, and non-tangling fibrous branches that can reach up to 36 inches in length.
The plant’s stalk is tall, woody, and filled with a dry pith, offering little value for forage or grain consumption. The plant’s structure is optimized to produce this brush, which is the sole commercially valuable part of the crop. The quality of the finished broom relies entirely on these fibers being straight, smooth, and pliable.
The Practical Application: Crafting the Broom
The harvested brush is transformed into a functional tool through a multi-step process. The fibrous panicles must first be soaked in water to increase their pliability, which prevents the fibers from snapping during the binding stage. After soaking, the brush is combed or threshed to remove any seeds, leaving only the clean fiber.
Broom makers utilize a specialized apparatus, historically a foot-operated winding machine, to attach the broomcorn fibers to a handle. The fibers are layered around the handle and secured tightly with wire or twine, building up the broom head in overlapping sections. This layering process allows for the creation of different broom styles, from small whisk brooms to full-sized house brooms.
To achieve the flat shape common in modern brooms, the bound head is placed into a press and stitched horizontally. Three rows of stitching are sewn through the compressed fibers to hold the material flat and maintain the sweeping edge’s shape. High-quality broomcorn is valued for its rich, pea-green color, which indicates optimal harvesting before discoloration occurred.
Cultivation and Harvesting
Broom corn is a hardy annual that requires conditions similar to those for growing sweet corn, thriving in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. It exhibits tolerance for heat and drought, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. The plant takes between 90 and 110 days to mature, depending on the variety.
The most specialized aspect of cultivation is harvesting, which must occur before the seeds fully ripen to ensure the fibers remain flexible. For tall varieties, farmers use a technique called “tabling,” where the stalks are bent diagonally across rows to create a horizontal surface. This action keeps the brush straight as the plant continues to dry slightly in the field.
Once cut, the panicles are removed with a short length of stalk and transferred to a curing facility. The brush is hung vertically or laid flat on racks for two to three weeks to dry completely. This curing process locks in the fiber’s quality, ensuring the finished product is durable and maintains the desired color and texture.