Message Board Archives

I've been trying my hand at it for about 5 years now but still haven't mastered the art. Some say to plant it flat..others almost vertical...

I've tried both with mixed results.....I'm in Florida (zone 9 to be exact)and the soil here is sandy. I've mixed in compost and leaves to give the soil some body...

but most of the cane is thin..about the size of an adult's thumb...Originally they were as thick as a cricket bat handle

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

In reply to SirGarny

Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium are key ingredients

When the soil pH drops below 5.5 phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium and molybdenum availability declines. At pH levels above 7.5, zinc, manganese and iron can become deficient.
Liming is essential for the production of high yielding crops on acid soils.

In Trinidad, we would get Urea from the sugar mill at Usine Ste Madeleine Company in 200lb bags

Plant it vertical, the stalk will start to grow, water every second day. Then get some urea and sprinkle it around the roots.

That was all we did on about 20 acres.

Good luck

In reply to sgtdjones

In reply to Dan_De_Lyan

In reply to Dan_De_Lyan

In reply to Dan_De_Lyan

Thanks for the info and the joke!!

In reply to sgtdjones

plant it slanted. about 3 inches deep, cut it between two joints.

In reply to SirGarny

We planted the bottom piece vertically, in about 4 inches of soil.

Any piece of sugar cane if cut an inch below the joints, and planted in about 4 inches of soil and watered will grow.

Cut the top leafy part back down to an inch below the first joint and it will grow.We would save those pieces to replant.

Plant the cuttings about 18 inches apart.

In reply to Dan_De_Lyan

Good one!

My father was able to grow a few stalks in our old backyard several years ago - considering our winters can be quite damp and relatively chilly, I'm impressed.

In reply to SirGarny

6you get far better results by planting flat about 4 inches deep,sandy soil is not ideal but give it a try.

In reply to camos

Thanks Camos...most of the back yard is planted flat, at the recommendation of a local Cuban immigrant....seems like only the Jamaicans believe in the vertical method....

In reply to sgtdjones

Guyana Sugar uses Urea, and a shell mix called Aragonite.
After harvesting, the fields are flooded and it kept like that for about 6 months.
Guess it refreshes the land with minerals and nutrients

YOU MUST ADD HUMUS