How To Grow Sugarcane / Sugarcane Planting Guide
Basics
Sugarcane are very easy to grow plants that are actually a grass. They require little care and add a tasty accent to any outdoor space, garden or patio. In very cold zones a containerized plants can be brought inside for the winter months. In the northern end of their grow zone sugarcane plants should be brought indoors or protected with mulch during the winter months.
When you receive your new sugarcane plant, there is no need to worry about planting right away. Your new plant can be stored for a while by simply placing it in a bucket with about a half inch of water in the bottom and moving it to a shady location. You can then add some mulch to the bucket to keep your plant standing upright. The mulch will also supply nutrients while in storage. This will give you plenty of time to select the ideal location for your new sugarcane plant. NOTE:To facilitate shipping ALL plants are trimmed to 36″ overall, if necessary.
Before you plant outdoors
Here at the nursery, sugarcane plants are grown under 20-40% shade cloth. If you plant directly in full sun you may experience leaf burn. It is best to acclimate this plant to its environment by keeping it outside and slowly moving it into a sunny area over a week or so to avoid stress.
Two sizes to choose from.
7″ Deep cell
Field production size
XL Plantation size
1-6 Canes per pot
Unpotting 7″ Production Pots
Rooted out the bottom
Slice both sides
Remove carefully
Keep moist
Important
The most important step in planting sugarcane is simply unpacking and unpotting the plant. Often in a hurried attempt to get the cane planted, root damage can occur. This damage will rarely harm the plant, however even if minor damage occurs it may set you back a couple weeks worth of growth.
The pots we use here at the nursery are thin and very easy to cut and open like a clam-shell.
Note: Sugarcane grows very fast, some plants may be root bound. In this case, with the same knife, score the root-ball vertically on all 4 sides about 1/2 inch deep and keep moist after planting. Be sure to plant 2-3 inches below the soil line.
Unpotting 6″ Round Plantation Pots
Rooted out the bottom
Slice both sides
Remove carefully
Keep moist
Field Planting
Auger your row.
Plant deep.
Pack the soil.
Mulch when established.
Field Production Tips
If your new plant has some cane showing, plant one to two inches below the plants soil line, this will stimulate new root growth from the buried nodes.
Once your cane plants are established, add some organic fertilizer and 12 to 18 inches of mulch. We have found that this method makes the plant simply explode. Fresh roots from the existing canes will develop in the mulch and much larger new canes will often sprout from every buried node usually within 30 days. Note: The heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers will damage the roots and possibly kill the plant.
7 Month Field Results
5 month inspection.
Remove lower leaves.
Healthy organic plants.
Prep for next crop.
Uahiapele
Leie Hawaiian
Halali
Lobbers or machete.
2 day harvest
Hilo grows to 9′
Ready for market.
Tasty snacks.
Container Growing
Sugarcane plants grow very well in patio containers. Allow enough room for growth generally a 18″ to a 24″ diameter, 10″ deep container will suffice. Remember the looser the roots, the taller and healthier your plant will be. When the plant becomes root bound its growth will slow. At that point it is time for a larger pot.
Soil
Sugarcane enjoy well drained but moist, rich organic mix. Remember try to stay away from wet, mucky or dry, sandy soils.
Ferterlizer
To help establish your new sugarcane plant, fertilize sparingly at least 6 inches away from the base, with a high quality, slow time release fertilizer. Unfertilized they will tend to grow very slowly. Note: The heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers will damage the roots and possibly kill the plant.
Zone & Light
Best outdoors if grown in zone 9-11, find your zone here. This plant requires 80-100% sunlight. Depending on your location full sun is best. At the northern end of their grow zone sugarcane plants should be brought indoors or protected during the winter months. The patio zone is 4a-9b which means the potted plant will flourish over the summer months in colder zones but must be brought inside before harsh winter temps.
What is the shipping size?
All sugarcane plants for sale will vary in size. In the spring, Plants are often smaller than plants shipped in the fall. NOTE: To facilitate shipping ALL plants are trimmed to 36″ overall, if necessary.