Sugarcane
Saccharum offinarum
Also known as
Noble Sugarcane
Photo by Queen-Cucumber (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Frequent watering
Tender
H1a
RHS hardiness
15°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
5m | Max | 2m |
3m | Min | 50cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
Sugarcane Overview
Sugarcane is one of the grass family plants that is popular to be used for sugar production in tropical and subtropical countries. It was already cultivated in New Guinea about 8000 years ago. The strong growing grass quickly reach up to 5m and the rhizome roots spread to fill an area quickly. Fields are usually burnt before harvesting and canes cut. New shoots will soon emerge for the following crop. The plants sometimes produce for up to 10 years!
Common problems with Sugarcane
Stem borers and fungal diseases.
Sugarcane Companion Plants
Generally planted on their own.
How to harvest Sugarcane
The sugarcane field is burnt to get rid of dry leaves and snakes. The canes are then harvested by hand or machine. This is usually done before flower.
How to propagate Sugarcane
Seed
Seldom
Division
Divide the rhizomes and replant.
Rhizomes
Rhizomes send up new plants close to the motherplant.
Cuttings
Modern plantings start with cane cuttings with at least one eye each.
Other uses of Sugarcane
Edible
Saccharum officinarum and its hybrids are grown for the production of sugar, ethanol, and other industrial uses in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Animal feed
The stems and the byproducts of the sugar industry are used for feeding to livestock.