Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

The Life Cycle of a Sugarcane Plant

...
disperced lump sugar and sugar-basin image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com

The sugarcane plant (Saccharum officinarum) accounts for 75 percent of the world's sugar supply. Sugarcane is a large perennial grass that is grown for sugar production, chewing and syrup. The grass is native to Asia. It has been widely cultivated for more than 4,000 years, according to the University of Florida's website. It flourishes in tropical and sub-tropical regions that offer an ample water supply

Types

...
Zuckerrohrfeld image by Linda Meyer from Fotolia.com

Four varieties of sugarcane plants are available and numerous cultivars. Crystal canes are used in the production of sugar across the world. Syrup canes contain less sucrose but offer syrup that is not quickly crystallized so it can easily be used in a pure syrup capacity. The chewing sugarcane varieties have chewy, fibrous canes that can be easily chewed and are often used in syrup production. Backyard sugarcane is commonly grown by the gardener for ornamental purposes, syrup and chewing.

  • The sugarcane plant (Saccharum officinarum) accounts for 75 percent of the world's sugar supply.
  • Backyard sugarcane is commonly grown by the gardener for ornamental purposes, syrup and chewing.

Planting

...
Pakistan 028 Zuckerrohr image by Arnim Schulz from Fotolia.com

Sugarcane is planted from August through January. The field is normally fertilized using an 8-8-8 fertilizer before planting. Propagation is attained by using a seed cane. A seed cane is a thick stalk of sugarcane that contains three to six buds. The canes are planted in the soil 1 to 2 inches deep. The buds will readily sprout with little or no care. Each row of sugarcane should be spaced 5 feet apart. Seeds cannot be utilized for sugarcane reproduction because they rarely grow as a clone of the parent but end up genetically different.

  • Sugarcane is planted from August through January.
  • The canes are planted in the soil 1 to 2 inches deep.

Watering and Care

...
würfelzucker image by Daniel Fuhr from Fotolia.com

Sugarcane requires excessive amounts of water to flourish. The plants like to be moist, but do not like water-logged roots. In drought, the cane fields must be watered for the cane to attain the desired growth. If the soil is nutrient-poor, the sugarcane will require fertilizer applications that make up for the the deficiencies in the soil.

Seed Production

...
satoukibi-hana image by tenbusu from Fotolia.com

In the wintertime, the sugarcane plant produces tall plumes of flowers that quickly go to seed. Each flower will produce only one tiny seed. Sugarcane seeds do not germinate in the field, but are used in variety development practices to make new cultivars.

  • Sugarcane requires excessive amounts of water to flourish.
  • Sugarcane seeds do not germinate in the field, but are used in variety development practices to make new cultivars.

Harvesting and Replanting

...
Tractor with Sugar Cane image by Liz from Fotolia.com

Sugarcane is harvested once per year. The plants are maintained for three years and will achieve three harvests before the field is replanted. When plants are 3 years old, production begins to decline, the sugar level decreases and the plants become more prone to pests or disease. The old plants are simply plowed under and new seed canes are planted

Related Articles

When to Plant Sugarcane?
When to Plant Sugarcane?
Fun Facts on Sugar Cane
Fun Facts on Sugar Cane
Where Are Raspberry Seeds Located on the Fruit?
Where Are Raspberry Seeds Located on the Fruit?
How to Grow Sugar Cane from Seed
How to Grow Sugar Cane from Seed
How Fast Does Bamboo Grow?
How Fast Does Bamboo Grow?
How to Grow Blackberry Bushes in Minnesota
How to Grow Blackberry Bushes in Minnesota
How to Plant Coastal Grass in Texas
How to Plant Coastal Grass in Texas
How to Grow Blackberries in Central Texas
How to Grow Blackberries in Central Texas
Definition of Hybrid Plants
Definition of Hybrid Plants
Pounds Per Acre Planting Recommendations for Sweet Corn
Pounds Per Acre Planting Recommendations for Sweet...
How to Harvest Sugar Cane
How to Harvest Sugar Cane
Parts of a Sugar Cane Plant
Parts of a Sugar Cane Plant
How Far Apart Do You Plant Mondo Grass?
How Far Apart Do You Plant Mondo Grass?
When Is Muscadine Season?
When Is Muscadine Season?
How to Grow Sugar Snap Peas in Kentucky
How to Grow Sugar Snap Peas in Kentucky
The Growing Conditions for Sugar Cane
The Growing Conditions for Sugar Cane
How to Plant Barley & Hops for Beer-Making
How to Plant Barley & Hops for Beer-Making
Coconut Water & Plant Growth
Coconut Water & Plant Growth
Garden Guides
×