Guide to Planting Sugar Canes

Significance

• While sugarcane does produce seed, the resulting plants differ from the parent sugar plant in any number of qualities. Therefore, making segment cuttings of canes, called "seed canes," "seed pieces" or "billets" from the mother plant produces exact clones that become exact replicas of the mother plant.

Features

• Each seed cane is cut to measure 18 to 36 inches long. The cane is segmented with growth rings, each with one or two dormant growth buds, or eyes. An ideal seed cane for planting has no less than six eyes.

Planting Considerations

• Create a long furrow 3 to 8 inches deep and place a seed cane into it horizontally according to the University of Florida. Cover with warm, moist soil in a location that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. Space additional rows of sugarcane 5 feet apart.

Time Frame

• In regions where no winter frosts occur, plant sugarcane anytime from late summer to midwinter. In regions with mild winters but definite frosts and freezes, plant the seed canes in mid- to late spring.