Author Topic: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone  (Read 1106 times)

GrowerA

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Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« on: November 17, 2022, 02:12:38 AM »
Is anyone in here growing sugar cane in Zone 9 or colder area?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwNqf_9ewHA

Rispa

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2022, 04:11:46 AM »
It's fine in zone 9 for sure. I'm pretty sure some areas where it's grown in Louisiana is zone 8
« Last Edit: November 17, 2022, 07:14:34 AM by Rispa »

Pokeweed

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2022, 06:48:54 AM »
I'm in 9a. Bad Winter will kill it. Normal one they will survive.

Galatians522

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2022, 10:07:44 PM »
I'm in 9b and grow lots of sugarcane. I cover the stubble with trash and dirt and have never lost any to cold. Keep in mind that there is a range of cold tollerence in sugarcane. Pure officinarium species like Asian Black (aka Badilla from Papua) are much more cold sensitive than the Indian species. Hybrids are in between.



Leaf damage after a frost from left to right. Asian Black, Home Green (old type), Indian hybrid--exact id unknown (possibly POJ)?

TonyinCC

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2022, 07:30:45 PM »
Some varieties can come back from roots after 10 degrees F. When I lived near St George,SC, people were growing a purple variety for syrup that did fine. Harvested in Fall and often not even mulched and came back year after year.... From what I remember, some varieties are much more tender to frost than others ,you could just harvest before a hard freeze and replant some stalks in Spring. There are some types better for chewing and others for processing.

Galatians522

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2022, 09:53:31 PM »
Here is an old book from the USDA about growing sugarcane for syrup. It has a lot of great information for anyone growing cane. Page 12 has a map showing the regions where cane was historically grown commercially for syrup. It is roughly from the very southern end of Arkansas across central Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia to the point where coastal  South and North Carolina meet.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/download/SugarcaneforSirupProduction_11249031.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiVlsvjxb_7AhUFRjABHcmCAJIQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw36mtbozE1XdrSBvhxDoAmH
« Last Edit: November 21, 2022, 10:04:21 AM by Galatians522 »

nattyfroootz

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2022, 11:45:53 PM »
I'm trying to grow a couple of different varieties in Santa Cruz, California, zone 9b.

This green/yellow one does really well, as well as a purple variety. Definitely looking for more.

Grow cooler fruits

www.wildlandsplants.com

Galatians522

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2022, 10:05:25 AM »
I just realized that I forgot to post the link I talked about in my post above. I have added it now.

JCorte

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2022, 08:20:25 AM »
Here is a link to a good Australian research publication that has good information on managing for climate and cold temp starting on page 12. 
https://sugarresearch.com.au/sugar_files//2017/09/Sugarcane-Advisor-Information-Kit-FINAL.pdf

They found sugar accumulation increases at temps lower than 57F-66F (14C-19C) and although sugar will generally be higher in tropical regions, it is enhanced by wider range in diurnal temps in subtropical regions.

Maybe strategy can be to harvest before it gets too cold for damage to the canes.  I don't know the difference in degrees of frost, but seems like sugar cane can take class I thru class IV frosts fine.  The article has strategies to protect underground growth buds.

Sugar cane is one of my favorite plants to grow.  Not only are they beautiful plants, I consider them part of my water storage strategy.









Janet
« Last Edit: November 22, 2022, 08:41:41 AM by JCorte »

Galatians522

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2022, 10:47:10 AM »
Those are beautiful canes Janet. What are the varieties?

Eggo

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Re: Sugar Cane In Cold Growing Zone
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2022, 11:02:25 AM »
Wow Janet, those look amazing especially that striped one!  Any chance you could swap/sell/trade any of these varieties?