Greetings from sunny Baja California. We have had three days of gentle rain in the last few weeks and I can assure all of you that spring is here and is coming your way soon.
A local store had pieces of sugar can for sale around Christmas time. I bought two foot-long pieces and they are sprouting roots and buds. Does anyone have any suggestions on their growing needs - sun, water, etc? I have lots of microclimates and want to keep them as happy as possible.
I've missed everybody. I got a nasty bite from a neighbor's dog two days before Christmas and I've been recovering (and sulking). No permanent damage but it's taking its time healing.
katie
sugar cane. anyone?
Sugarcane requires a good amount of water and sun.
Provide it with good soil and some manure and it will grow quickly.
What type do you have?
Mexican, like my dogs. Which means, I've no idea.
katie
When it gets of size, show some photos!
I agree that it does best in rich soil with plenty of water. I've got a very slender variety just kept as an ornamental. It's in poor soil and is neglected but still grows okay. It's the 'plenty of water' that really keeps it going. They also like warmth and lots of sunshine.
Not good about the dog bite. Was it an "attack" or just playing around?
It was an attack. Bit me as hard as he could (from behind, I thought the kid who owns him was holding and I'd turned to settle down my dogs). Four puncture wounds, lotfs of blood. My neighbor Dana was home and when I went to her for help on bandaging she dropped everything and took me to the local clinic. It's still a little swollen and stiff but, remarkably, there were no broken bones or ripped tendons.Remarkable because it was clear his intention was to do as much damage as possible. It messed up my usual Christmas thing of playing Santa for the local kids but they are very forgiving. I made it out with a few presents on New Years Eve and they were happy.
Thanks for the info on the sugar cane.
katie
Sorry to hear you got bit by a dog, its sounds nasty!! glad you are ok though.
isaac
Yep, lots of water, which is one of the big issues here on the Island. More and more people are demanding water because of the building of new homes, and it's becoming a question of who will get the finite amount - the people or the cane. It would be a shame to have no cane in the central valley, and I hate to think what the dust would be like without a green crop. I don't think it would take too long to loose all the top soil with the Trades that blow across. There is a lot of talk about growing hemp instead - not the smoking kind, we already have that all over the place, although I think it's an even larger cash crop on the Big Island - LOL!
I could use something to keep the dust down. But starting with two pieces I'm afraid it will take awhile!!
katie
I didn't see any of that cash crop on the Big Island ... but I smelled it a couple times on beaches near some parties. LOL