Sugar Cane

[greensman]

Does anyone have any experience growing sugar cane? I know this probably precludes a lot of the northern folks here. I have been trying to find some info regarding source for the plants and growing habits.

[Deemy]

How about growing sugar beets instead. That is a can do in the north

[PlumBob]

Greensman, for starters read through - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=growing+sugar+cane&btnG=Google+Search&aq=1&oq=growing+sugar+c From what I see here, you may be too far north...

You might think about sugar beets, tho - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=growing+sugar+beets&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=growing+sugar+b

[greensman]

thank folks. i know sugar beets are grown in the area but have not seen/heard of cane being grown. i would like to try it for kicks, but if i'm too far north then sugar beets it will be. can you make molasses from beets? that's truly what i'm after.

[Belle]

Would sorghum do? You can grow sorghum cane where you live.

[greensman]

we can definitely grow sorgham but i was hoping for cane. there is difference in taste between the two in molasses. i did just finish reading an article online about folks in western nc growing cane and processing it for molasses. i hope the author didn't confuse sorgham and cane. one way or the other i'm determined to make molasses on a small scale, just to learn how. i also need to figure a way to mill the canes since bying a dedicated mill would be too much. thanks for the help so far!

[Belle]

I've been searching, but it doesn't look like you can grow sugar cane in your area - at least not in the ground. It can't take frost and is recommended for zones 9 and 10. You could grow it in a pot, though, but it would have to be brought indoors for the winter.

It doesn't look like it's hard to grow - just cut off a section, lay it in a ditch, cover with dirt and keep moist, but not wet. It will root and sprout from the nodes. (You might be able to grow a piece from Walmart's fruit and vegie dept.)

[Belle]

Almost forgot - here are a couple of sites that might interest you~

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_book_sugarcane_handbook

http://www.chewingcane.com/

[greensman]

belle, thanks for the links. it does appear that cane is out for me, but sorghum is the way to go. i found a site that gives pictures of the general process if anyone else is interested. http://organic.kysu.edu/Sorghum.shtml
now off to find sorghum seeds!

[Belle]

now off to find sorghum seeds!
Baker Creek still has a few kinds~

http://rareseeds.com/search.php

[LONER]

WOW Belle!! Thank you for that link!! They have EVERYTHING I have been looking for!! Even Mangels!! Mangels are a type of beet that grows VERY large, and makes an excellent food for livestock. Thanks again!!

[joyce1954]

How about a short cut in the process -- buy some sugar cane and try the process to get the molasses. That way if it turns out to be not what you want to get involved in you don't have a whole year involved in the growing cycle too. One never knows how much work is or is not involved in something like this until they try it. The cane itself has to be available commercially as I see it from time to time in the grocery store cut in 12-18" pieces.

[momof23goats]

well, I am in the north now ,and an amish man grows sorghum, and squeezes it out to I buy mine from him every year, and you know he sells it plenty cheap enough too.

[glass half empty]

well, I am in the north now ,and an amish man grows sorghum, and squeezes it out to I buy mine from him every year, and you know he sells it plenty cheap enough too.

Our neighbor, 1/4 mile to the south does the same thing...$4.00 a bottle. It's a neat process to watch. The cooking process is hit or miss, so the results vary..or so I have observed.