Difference between revisions of "Plant Sugar Cane"
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#*The stems have joints, and a new plant will sprout from each one. Keeping this in mind, buy as many stems as you need to produce the size crop you want. | #*The stems have joints, and a new plant will sprout from each one. Keeping this in mind, buy as many stems as you need to produce the size crop you want. | ||
#Split the sugar cane stems into foot-long pieces. Leave three to four joints per piece, to make it more likely that each piece will produce a few sprouts. If the stems have any leaves or flowers, go ahead and remove them. | #Split the sugar cane stems into foot-long pieces. Leave three to four joints per piece, to make it more likely that each piece will produce a few sprouts. If the stems have any leaves or flowers, go ahead and remove them. | ||
| − | #Dig furrows in a sunny planting spot. Sugar cane stems are planted horizontally on their sides, in four-inch deep furrows, or trenches. They need full sun, so choose an area that isn't shaded. Dig furrows long enough to fit each piece of cane you're planting, and space the furrows one foot apart.<ref>http://sugarcane.org/sustainability/best-practices</ref> | + | #Dig furrows in a sunny planting spot. Sugar cane stems are planted horizontally on their sides, in four-inch deep furrows, or trenches. They need full sun, so choose an area that isn't shaded. Dig furrows long enough to fit each piece of cane you're planting, and space the furrows one foot apart.<ref name="rf1">http://sugarcane.org/sustainability/best-practices</ref> |
#*Use a spade or hoe, rather than a shovel, to make it easier to dig the furrows. | #*Use a spade or hoe, rather than a shovel, to make it easier to dig the furrows. | ||
#Moisten the furrows. Use a hose to lightly moisten the furrows to prepare them for the sugar cane. Make sure the water has drained and there are no remaining puddles before you plant. | #Moisten the furrows. Use a hose to lightly moisten the furrows to prepare them for the sugar cane. Make sure the water has drained and there are no remaining puddles before you plant. | ||
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#Wait for the sugar cane to grow. In the spring, usually in April or May, shoots will start to grow from the nodes of the stems. You'll see them breaking through the soil to form individual sugar cane stalks, which will grow quite tall by summer's end. | #Wait for the sugar cane to grow. In the spring, usually in April or May, shoots will start to grow from the nodes of the stems. You'll see them breaking through the soil to form individual sugar cane stalks, which will grow quite tall by summer's end. | ||
===Growing and Harvesting Sugar Cane=== | ===Growing and Harvesting Sugar Cane=== | ||
| − | #Fertilize the sugar cane with nitrogen. Since sugar cane is a type of grass, it thrives on nitrogen-rich fertilizers. You can fertilize the sugar cane plants with standard grass fertilizer, or go for an organic option: chicken manure. Fertilizing just once, when the sprouts first emerge, will help the sugar cane grow strong and healthy so you'll have a good harvest in the fall.<ref>http://www.canegrowers.com.au/page/archived/About_Australian_Sugarcane/</ref> | + | #Fertilize the sugar cane with nitrogen. Since sugar cane is a type of grass, it thrives on nitrogen-rich fertilizers. You can fertilize the sugar cane plants with standard grass fertilizer, or go for an organic option: chicken manure. Fertilizing just once, when the sprouts first emerge, will help the sugar cane grow strong and healthy so you'll have a good harvest in the fall.<ref name="rf2">http://www.canegrowers.com.au/page/archived/About_Australian_Sugarcane/</ref> |
#Weed the plant bed regularly. Sugarcane requires little maintenance except for weeding. Weeds could choke the new sprouts before they have the chance to grow. Constant weeding is necessary until the canes grow large enough to produce shade and choke harmful weeds on their own. | #Weed the plant bed regularly. Sugarcane requires little maintenance except for weeding. Weeds could choke the new sprouts before they have the chance to grow. Constant weeding is necessary until the canes grow large enough to produce shade and choke harmful weeds on their own. | ||
| − | #Monitor for pests and disease. A number of pests and diseases can impact sugar cane. Pests such as bores and insects are more likely to impact a crop when they experience waterlogged conditions, while diseases can cause fungal growth and rot stocks. Check your sugar cane regularly for pests or rotting, and take preventative measures to discourage pests and diseases whenever possible.<ref>http://www.sugarcanecrops.com/agronomic_practices/pests_diseases/</ref> | + | #Monitor for pests and disease. A number of pests and diseases can impact sugar cane. Pests such as bores and insects are more likely to impact a crop when they experience waterlogged conditions, while diseases can cause fungal growth and rot stocks. Check your sugar cane regularly for pests or rotting, and take preventative measures to discourage pests and diseases whenever possible.<ref name="rf3">http://www.sugarcanecrops.com/agronomic_practices/pests_diseases/</ref> |
| − | #*Selecting sugar cane varieties that are resistant to diseases and viruses known to affect crops in your area is one of the best pest management strategies.<ref>https://www.plantvillage.org/en/topics/sugarcane/diseases_and_pests_description_uses_propagation</ref> | + | #*Selecting sugar cane varieties that are resistant to diseases and viruses known to affect crops in your area is one of the best pest management strategies.<ref name="rf4">https://www.plantvillage.org/en/topics/sugarcane/diseases_and_pests_description_uses_propagation</ref> |
| − | #*The application of controlled amounts of appropriate fungicides or pesticides may help prevent the propagation of a pest or disease within your crop.<ref | + | #*The application of controlled amounts of appropriate fungicides or pesticides may help prevent the propagation of a pest or disease within your crop.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*If you do spot a plant that appears to be infected with pests or a disease, remove it immediately. | #*If you do spot a plant that appears to be infected with pests or a disease, remove it immediately. | ||
#Wait until fall to harvest. Sugar cane plants should be left to grow for as long as possible before the first frost of the year. If they are left in the ground after the first frost, you will not be able to use your plants to make sugar syrup. | #Wait until fall to harvest. Sugar cane plants should be left to grow for as long as possible before the first frost of the year. If they are left in the ground after the first frost, you will not be able to use your plants to make sugar syrup. | ||
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#Use a machete to cut the canes close to the ground. The mature stalks will be tall and thick, similar to bamboo, so simple garden shears won't cut it. Use a machete or a saw to cut the sugar cane as close to the ground as possible, so you'll be able to make use of as much of the plant as possible. | #Use a machete to cut the canes close to the ground. The mature stalks will be tall and thick, similar to bamboo, so simple garden shears won't cut it. Use a machete or a saw to cut the sugar cane as close to the ground as possible, so you'll be able to make use of as much of the plant as possible. | ||
#Don't hack into the ground. You don't want to damage the roots of the established sugar cane plants. If you leave the roots in the ground, your sugar cane will come up again next year. | #Don't hack into the ground. You don't want to damage the roots of the established sugar cane plants. If you leave the roots in the ground, your sugar cane will come up again next year. | ||
| − | #Strip the leaves from the cut sugar cane. Be sure to wear gloves since the leaves are quite sharp. Use them to cover up the planting bed. The leaves will act as an organic mulch that will protect the sugar cane roots over the winter. If you don't have enough leaves to cover the whole bed, use some extra straw to finish the job.<ref>http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/grow-sugar-cane-zbcz1311.aspx#axzz3Lzpmx9V5</ref> | + | #Strip the leaves from the cut sugar cane. Be sure to wear gloves since the leaves are quite sharp. Use them to cover up the planting bed. The leaves will act as an organic mulch that will protect the sugar cane roots over the winter. If you don't have enough leaves to cover the whole bed, use some extra straw to finish the job.<ref name="rf5">http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/grow-sugar-cane-zbcz1311.aspx#axzz3Lzpmx9V5</ref> |
===Making Sugar Cane Syrup=== | ===Making Sugar Cane Syrup=== | ||
| − | #Scrub the stems. After a season outside, they'll have mildew and dirt on them. Use warm water and a scrub brush to scrub dirt and debris from the stems until they're completely clean.<ref>http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com/how-to-make-cane-syrup-at-home-without-2/</ref> | + | #Scrub the stems. After a season outside, they'll have mildew and dirt on them. Use warm water and a scrub brush to scrub dirt and debris from the stems until they're completely clean.<ref name="rf6">http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com/how-to-make-cane-syrup-at-home-without-2/</ref> |
| − | #Chop the stems into one-inch sections. The stems will be quite stiff, so a meat cleaver is a better tool for the job than a knife. Chop the stem into small sections, then chop those in half so you have a pile of small pieces of sugar cane.<ref | + | #Chop the stems into one-inch sections. The stems will be quite stiff, so a meat cleaver is a better tool for the job than a knife. Chop the stem into small sections, then chop those in half so you have a pile of small pieces of sugar cane.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#*If you had a commercial sugar cane press, chopping the stems wouldn't be necessary. On large farms, juice is extracted from sugar cane using huge, heavy presses. There is no equivalent machine suitable for home use, so the chop-and-boil-method is used instead. | #*If you had a commercial sugar cane press, chopping the stems wouldn't be necessary. On large farms, juice is extracted from sugar cane using huge, heavy presses. There is no equivalent machine suitable for home use, so the chop-and-boil-method is used instead. | ||
| − | #Boil the sugar cane pieces in a large stockpot filled with water. The sugar is extracted through a long process of boiling the pieces down for about two hours. The sugar water is ready when it has the same flavor as a piece of raw sugar cane. You'll have to taste-test it to determine when it's ready.<ref>http://www.thekitchn.com/pantry-staples-diy-cane-sugar-131934</ref> | + | #Boil the sugar cane pieces in a large stockpot filled with water. The sugar is extracted through a long process of boiling the pieces down for about two hours. The sugar water is ready when it has the same flavor as a piece of raw sugar cane. You'll have to taste-test it to determine when it's ready.<ref name="rf7">http://www.thekitchn.com/pantry-staples-diy-cane-sugar-131934</ref> |
#*Another clue is to look at the sugar cane pieces. After a few hours, the color will turn to a light brown, which indicates the sugar has been extracted. | #*Another clue is to look at the sugar cane pieces. After a few hours, the color will turn to a light brown, which indicates the sugar has been extracted. | ||
#*Check the pot every half hour or so to make sure that the pieces are still covered with water; if not, add more. | #*Check the pot every half hour or so to make sure that the pieces are still covered with water; if not, add more. | ||
#Pour the sugar water through a strainer into a smaller pot. Use the strainer to catch all the fibrous pieces of sugar cane. You don't need these anymore, so you can discard them. | #Pour the sugar water through a strainer into a smaller pot. Use the strainer to catch all the fibrous pieces of sugar cane. You don't need these anymore, so you can discard them. | ||
| − | #Cook down the sugar water to turn it into syrup. Boil the sugar water until it cooks down significantly and takes on the texture of thick syrup. This can take anywhere from one to two hours, so be sure to monitor the pot to make sure you don't overcook it. To test whether the syrup is ready, dip a cold spoon in the pot and check the texture.<ref>http://www.thedoityourselfmom.com/2013/05/diy-fresh-sugarcane-or-sugar-cane-syrup.html</ref> | + | #Cook down the sugar water to turn it into syrup. Boil the sugar water until it cooks down significantly and takes on the texture of thick syrup. This can take anywhere from one to two hours, so be sure to monitor the pot to make sure you don't overcook it. To test whether the syrup is ready, dip a cold spoon in the pot and check the texture.<ref name="rf8">http://www.thedoityourselfmom.com/2013/05/diy-fresh-sugarcane-or-sugar-cane-syrup.html</ref> |
#*If you like your syrup on the thin side, you can remove it from heat when it still easily slides from the back of the spoon. | #*If you like your syrup on the thin side, you can remove it from heat when it still easily slides from the back of the spoon. | ||
#*For thicker syrup, remove it from heat when it coats the back of the spoon instead of slipping right off. | #*For thicker syrup, remove it from heat when it coats the back of the spoon instead of slipping right off. | ||
