Hemp has been grown by humans since ancient times. The cultivation of hemp for seeds differs from the production of hemp for fiber. Farmers sow 300,000 plants per acre close together for fiber production. This equates to around 150,000 plants per acre in terms of seed production. The plant is harvested using special machines during the early to the mid-flowering stage. Some studies reveal that fibers from female plants are a bit stronger, while the male thread is finer.
After harvesting, the stem is placed on the ground for several weeks. This process is called dew retting and serves to decompose the pectin, a substance that binds the hemp fiber. They are baled and sent to a different place for processing when they reach a moisture level of 12%. Also, some use alternative retting techniques involving water or chemicals. It is much faster but not so eco-friendly as dew retting.
The next step in the process is
decortication. When the stems are wet from retting or after they have been dried, they are decorticated. Decorticating hemp fiber entails removing the central woody core from the stem's outer layer. It basically removes the damp fibers from the core while the stems are still wet. After that, the stems must be dried. Drying the stems and passing them through a special machine is also possible. This process separates the fibers from the woody core.