Sugarcane cuttings: How to handle?

[msk0072]

What is the best practice to handle these sugarcane cuttings? They are 8-10cm long
Thanks

[Pokeweed]

I typically lay them half covered on their side in damp soil. Some will root, some won't. Don't let them dry out. I try to have sections at least 3 joints long, they seem to have more vigor. D

[Ttalk]

We have lots of commercial cane fields around here, and they are all started like Pokeweed described. Until this year I started my cane that way, too. Apparently, there is a "trick" that is suposed to make things a little more certain, though. Take the cane cuttings and set them upright in a shallow dish of water so that the water line comes just up over the node (you may need to keep topping it off). In about a week you should see roots starting to form and then the bud will swell and grow. You can then plant it in a pot of moist earth in the shade (water every day). I tried this with a couple 3-node cuttings of a new variety that I didn't want to lose and it worked great! They are both over 6 feet tall now and growing strong. I have not tried it on a 1-node cutting like you have, but I have seen people online who were successful with them using that method. Apparently it works so well because cane forms roots as a natural reaction to flooding.

[Daintree]

I root single node cuttings all the time just like Pokeweed described, and I get probably 75% that take.  So drop them in the dirt and see what happens!

Carolyn

[CA Hockey]

You can get nearly 100% rooting by laying or standing them in water. Make sure the node is covered or close to being covered. We within a week you'll see swellings from below the node project outward and for roots. The node swells and forms a leaf growth structure soon afterwards. Once the roots have hardened and turned brown I plant in soil. Takes about 3 weeks. Make sure you change the water every day or 2.

[msk0072]

You can get nearly 100% rooting by laying or standing them in water. Make sure the node is covered or close to being covered. We within a week you'll see swellings from below the node project outward and for roots. The node swells and forms a leaf growth structure soon afterwards. Once the roots have hardened and turned brown I plant in soil. Takes about 3 weeks. Make sure you change the water every day or 2.

I have seen some videos on youtube that confirm your method. The key is changing the water daily

[Pokeweed]

I was told by a nurseryman that plants make different roots when they are in water than when they are in a soil medium.
I did start some sugar cane last year in water and they all rooted, but then I spent about a month adding small amounts of soil to the bucket until it was just damp soil. They all made the transition. I don't know if that was necessary, but it worked.
I had a pretty good stand of sugar cane growing a couple of years ago. I then found out that feral pigs think it is very tasty. I am just now replanting....D

[Mugenia]

I just rolled mine like the commercial farms. They grow like weeds in southern California.