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View Full Version : Sugar Cane..How Sweet it is or is it?


Snookie
03-24-2013, 01:49 PM
Well since bananas seem to be on my preferred list of plants I can kill with ease ,

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52530 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52356&ppuser=13202)





I'm back to Sugar Cane:} Lost it seems like last years cane so trying again..

Who's doing Cane and how is it going?

Thanks

Snookie

Illia
03-24-2013, 05:00 PM
I plan to. I bet I'll be the first one in my state to, too. Haha. That banana looks to have quite the frostbite. You're in zone 9, perhaps just stick to hardier cultivars?

Nicolas Naranja
03-24-2013, 11:08 PM
I've got 400 acres of cane at work, does that count?

Dangermouse01
03-25-2013, 04:49 AM
I thought the pineapple diaries thread was dedicated to sugar cane. :ha:
http://www.bananas.org/f8/pineapple-diaries-17309.html (http://www.bananas.org/pineapple-diaries-17309.html)

I have black, Georgia Red, a produce market green type (could be Yellow Ga)l that are growing in pots. Also have some Yellow Gal and red/green ribbon type started.

Nick, do you know what the name of the red/green ribbon cane might be? Is it the Louisiana Ribbon Thirteen Oaks Farm and Cane Mill - Sugar Cane Varieties (Ribbon Cane) (http://www.sugarcanemills.org/Ribbon%20Cane.htm)

DM

wolfyhound
03-25-2013, 01:15 PM
As far as the taste, because my palate is used to tons of white processed sugar, chewing on actual sugar cane tasted like slightly sweet soft wood pulp. I was not impressed. If you don't eat a lot of sugar, or did not grow up eating white sugar, I'm sure it would be quite tasty.

I wonder if people who grow different varieties make any syrups from them and if they taste distinct from the "regular" sugar cane, whichever that would be?

Nicolas Naranja
03-25-2013, 02:48 PM
I thought the pineapple diaries thread was dedicated to sugar cane. :ha:
http://www.bananas.org/f8/pineapple-diaries-17309.html (http://www.bananas.org/pineapple-diaries-17309.html)

I have black, Georgia Red, a produce market green type (could be Yellow Ga)l that are growing in pots. Also have some Yellow Gal and red/green ribbon type started.

Nick, do you know what the name of the red/green ribbon cane might be? Is it the Louisiana Ribbon Thirteen Oaks Farm and Cane Mill - Sugar Cane Varieties (Ribbon Cane) (http://www.sugarcanemills.org/Ribbon%20Cane.htm)

DM

Unfortunately it didn't come with a name tag, it just got planted. A few people around here call it red stripe, but it does look like ribbon cane.

Dangermouse01
03-25-2013, 03:44 PM
Unfortunately it didn't come with a name tag, it just got planted. A few people around here call it red stripe, but it does look like ribbon cane.

Thanks, only things I've found when google searching "red stripe sugar cane" was in reference to some disease in sugar cane called "red stripe disease".

DM

waggoner41
03-25-2013, 04:24 PM
Well since bananas seem to be on my preferred list of plants I can kill with ease ,

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52530 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52356&ppuser=13202)





I'm back to Sugar Cane:} Lost it seems like last years cane so trying again..

Who's doing Cane and how is it going?

Thanks

Snookie

Your area of Louisiana should be almost perfect for growing sugar cane. That brings up the queston "What do you know about growing sugar cane?"
There is a lot of information on the web about the various aspects of caring for cane as well as a myriad of other plants.

To see if you are doing something wrong try this site for information from planting to harvesting sugar cane.
Growing Sugarcane (http://www.proserpine.com/sugar/page4.html)

Abnshrek
03-25-2013, 05:05 PM
Well since bananas seem to be on my preferred list of plants I can kill with ease ,

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52530 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52356&ppuser=13202)
I'm back to Sugar Cane:} Lost it seems like last years cane so trying again.. Who's doing Cane and how is it going? Thanks
Snookie

A lil burn.. That's just superficial Yo.. it will be just fine next month Amigo.. :^)

Snookie
03-29-2013, 03:58 PM
A lil burn.. That's just superficial Yo.. it will be just fine next month Amigo.. :^)

SUPERFICIAL...LOL The 29 degree temps this week got all the little nana sprouts beat down again..... "BROWN TO THE GROUND" is what I have lol

Better stick to something less killable lol

Maybe Pecan trees:}?

Or Sweet Potatoes

:ha:

Snookie
03-29-2013, 04:00 PM
I've got 400 acres of cane at work, does that count?

Uh a little shy of what I consider a back yard crop of can...But may do :ha:

sunfish
03-29-2013, 04:50 PM
sweet sugar cane - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ghq3UzoTt8)

Snookie
03-29-2013, 06:37 PM
WOW wonder what the Sour Sugar Cane sounds like; that....

http://s13.postimg.org/ga0f837zb/smell_bad_holding_nose.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

sunfish
03-29-2013, 06:56 PM
WOW wonder what the Sour Sugar Cane sounds like; that....

http://s13.postimg.org/ga0f837zb/smell_bad_holding_nose.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

You didn't like it ? :ha:

Snookie
03-30-2013, 11:16 AM
You didn't like it ? :ha:

Sorry, I like Lizard Creek Cajun music best:}

DL Menard : The Back Door - YouTube (http://youtu.be/AazJUQIEqNM)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AazJUQIEqNM

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AazJUQIEqNM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Worm_Farmer
03-30-2013, 02:51 PM
I have heard that Sugar Cane mulch is real good for you plants. They break down quick and the sugar feeds the soil organisms.

Snookie
03-31-2013, 05:15 PM
I have heard that Sugar Cane mulch is real good for you plants. They break down quick and the sugar feeds the soil organisms.

Cool

sunfish
04-02-2013, 10:32 PM
Goya Sugarcane Juice at FoodServiceDirect.com! (http://www.foodservicedirect.com/product.cfm/p/179009/Goya-Sugarcane-Juice.htm?gclid=CPikwIbErbYCFY5_QgodP1cADw)

Nicolas Naranja
04-03-2013, 09:51 PM
This is how we grow cane on the muck

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x455/NicolasNaranja/a2_zps615c4161.jpg

Snookie
04-06-2013, 07:51 PM
This is how we grow cane on the muck

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x455/NicolasNaranja/a2_zps615c4161.jpg

:nanadrink: SHAZAM.....

Snookie
04-20-2013, 09:09 AM
WOW I'll be Sugar Cane coming up and some Waskely Wabbits chewed up the leaves lol

http://s4.postimg.org/rl4omfxrh/Marsh_Rabbit1_b.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Kbud
04-20-2013, 02:54 PM
@Dangermouse01: LOL! Exactly:)

Do you guys know if sugar cane is perennial, with protection, will it come up each year? Also, is it possible to make white and brown sugar at home? Not just the juice, but the baking ingredient? If so, how much would each cane make?
@Nicholasnaranja: That is a sweet pic! (pun not intended) (Get it, SWEET pic?:)

Sweet Historical Fact (Pun intended): When white settlers first colonized Hawaii, they created giant sugarcane plantations. As sugar was a commodity then, the island became instrumental to the U.S. and the settlers alike. King Kalakua (didn't use the accents in his name and I don't know if I'm spelling this right), supported this trade, which put Hawaii on the map. He was in favor of being annexed by the U.S., though the public didn't agree. When he died and Queen Liliuokalani (did I spell it right?) came to power, she tried to leave "Hawaii to the native Hawaiians." The white sugarcane plantation owners gave a fuss, because they were doing thriving business. They appealed to Congress, which in turn sent in warships. Queen Liliuokalani backed down, and was put under "house arrest" in a hotel. Though I will not give my opinion, many think this was
unfair. The President at the time called the conduct "disgraceful" and ordered the U.S. to back down. Due to extreme Nationalism and Expansionism at the time, when he left office, the next President annexed Hawaii. Again, not giving my opinion here. Just thought that was a cool historical story to go with the topic:)

Snookie
04-20-2013, 04:38 PM
Not sure if it will come back year after year but do know this cane WILL FREEZE .....

I covered mine and took all kind of precautions and SHIZZZAM it still died lol:waving:

waggoner41
04-20-2013, 06:21 PM
@Dangermouse01: LOL! Exactly:)

Do you guys know if sugar cane is perennial, with protection, will it come up each year? Also, is it possible to make white and brown sugar at home? Not just the juice, but the baking ingredient? If so, how much would each cane make?


Sugar cane is a perennial, at least in Costa Rica.

For how much sugar you can produce, you are on your own. Down here the kids suck on the chunks of cane and we watch at the farmers market as they squeeze the juice out of the canes. Think old time wringer washing machines.

Nicolas Naranja
04-20-2013, 08:31 PM
Commercially an average stalk of sugarcane has 0.3 lbs of sugar in it. You could probably make brown sugar at your house, but not white sugar. White sugar takes a lot of heat to make. As far as sugarcane coming back after a freeze, certain varieties are more cold tolerant than others. Sugarcane is grown commercially in Louisiana, where it gets into the 20s.

Illia
04-20-2013, 11:23 PM
Being someone who's looking into growing some cane this year, anyone know a good place that has instructions on home-making brown or raw table sugar?

Kbud
04-21-2013, 09:28 AM
Thanks all!

Illia, I agree. I'd love some instructions. I'll search for it.

wolfyhound
04-21-2013, 09:29 AM
Brown Sugar | Practical Answers | Practical Action (http://practicalaction.org/brown-sugar)
I found this. There's a local(Gainesville Florida) Historical farm that actually does cane processing the same way they did in colonial times, but unfortunately all I remember from the demos is that they crushed it using a donkey to turn the crusher and they boiled the sap into a syrupy liquid.

From all I've read and remember, you crush the cane to get the liquid sap, boil that to make a syrupy liquid, and it will "set" into a solid sugary mass. I "think" that if you don't boil it hot enough/long enough, you end up with cane syrup as the sugars don't crystallize.

Not an expert and I've never done it myself(it's way too easy to buy jugs of cane syrup made by other people!) but I have always found it fascinating.

Kbud
04-22-2013, 03:51 PM
Dear Illia,

Sorry for taking a bit to get back to you on this, but I checked out eHow.com and found just what we're both looking for (man, I love eHow, they really do have instructions on how to do everything!!) There were several results, but I just looked at this one. Though it isn't convienient, I am totally doing it when I get sugarcane! Here is the link: How to Make Raw Sugar From Sugar Cane | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_7394020_make-raw-sugar-sugar-cane.html). Basically, the idea is, like wolfyhound said, to extract the juice from the cane by boiling. You could also probably use a mill (I saw a show on HGTV once where they turned a 17th century (I think) sugar mill into a house, but I'm talking about the small ones you can buy on eBay (which is where I'll get my cane). Anyway, once the sugar solution is out, you boil it into a syrup, throw it into a jar, and let it crystallize over several months. As it crystallizes, scoop it out and put it in bags for storage. Obviously, you would be getting brown sugar from this. I would crush it to make it more like the grocery store stuff, or leave it flaky. I think that is just a choice you have to make. As the process takes awhile, I would make a lot of it at once so as not to waste materials.

Thanks,
Kbud

Snookie
05-14-2013, 06:10 PM
Thanks:}

kaczercat
05-14-2013, 08:29 PM
ate it in DR, very sweet!

Snookie
05-15-2013, 05:43 PM
ate it in DR, very sweet!

?

Kbud
06-02-2013, 06:22 PM
Still looking for sugarcane. pouty face:(

Snookie
06-02-2013, 06:54 PM
Still looking for sugarcane. pouty face:(

Awe meh yah

Can't get enough of the Sugar Cane stuff:}

What U got on your mind?

sunfish
06-02-2013, 08:07 PM
Still looking for sugarcane. pouty face:(

Ornamental Sugar Cane Plants - ChewingCane.com (http://www.chewingcane.com/)

Illia
06-04-2013, 01:43 AM
I finally got myself some canes a couple weeks ago, Blue Ribbon variety. I hope to get plenty of different varieties over the next year, but, some awesome Hawaiian ones I've yet to see actually for sale online.

Kbud
06-05-2013, 02:37 PM
@illia: Already I'm jealous.

Thanks for the link, sunfish!

Illia
06-05-2013, 06:37 PM
Look through eBay. It's getting late in the year for if you're going to grow it without an extended season or a little winter protection but you'll still get enough for next year's propogation and growth I'd imagine.

Anyway, ebay has a lot of people selling cane cuttings. I got mine from a guy who sells various southern-states heirloom varieties and they came in great shape, huge looking sticks. They're in the ground now.

Kbud
06-12-2013, 05:03 PM
Thanks Illia! That's actually what I've been doing for the past few months! When you mentioned blue ribbon cane, I first thought of that sale on eBay. They looked quite pretty, with a blue/violet hue. I am looking into getting the yellow sweet asian bulk sugarcane cuttings from a person named 7servant7. Here is the link: Bulk Super Sweet Yellow Asian Sugar Cane cuttings Fresh 3 7 inch Pieces | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/BULK-Super-Sweet-Yellow-Asian-Sugar-Cane-Cuttings-Fresh-3-7-Inch-Pieces-/121117445182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c33298c3e). What do you think? Is that who you bought your cane from?

Thanks,
Kbud

Illia
06-12-2013, 07:23 PM
I got mine from this guy (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heirloom-Sugarcane-Plant-Saccharum-Officinarum-Blue-Ribbon-Sweet-Chew-Cane-2-pcs-/161006523096?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257cbc92d8). I try and stick with heirloom and other more uncommon varieties, as it seems most yellow and/or green cane is the "supersweet" commercial stuff. Nothing seriously against it, I just like mine either prettier, older, or with a higher chance of having unique or bold flavor.

I got two pieces from him, one is rooting very well and the other is hopefully just taking longer.

If anyone reading this is or will be selling unusual Hawaiian varieties I'd love some. I've seen some neat colorful, contorted, and even bulbous looking ones that I'd love to try. That and I heard of an "Asian Black" that sounded fun.

Snookie
06-14-2013, 05:12 PM
Cool Thanks

Snookie
06-30-2013, 10:35 AM
Sugar Cane is coming on strong:}
Be chewing fore long lol

http://s16.postimg.org/biiq1neqd/006.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/dn332qgcx/full/)

Kbud
06-30-2013, 01:00 PM
Are you trying to make me more jealous:)?

Snookie
07-02-2013, 08:49 AM
Are you trying to make me more jealous:)?

Awe Meh Ya! :}:08:

Kbud
07-02-2013, 07:30 PM
Could you post more pics of all your cane, or is that all the cane you are growing?

Illia
07-03-2013, 12:09 AM
Mine's at what I assume to be a slow start. It seems to be growing a little slower or at the same speed of corn, but at first it was only one stalk. Now it's two, but both from the same cane segment. The other segment I know is still alive, last I checked it had roots - But it's taking a while to pop up. That seems to be the story of my greenhouse this year. I've got Galangal and Turmeric for the first time this year too, and wow they're slow.

Snookie
07-03-2013, 06:51 AM
Could you post more pics of all your cane, or is that all the cane you are growing?

10-4 will do!

I'll post more pics of some local sugar cane I've got planted in the front of my property later today; if I get off my lazy behind and take the pictures:}

Snookie
07-03-2013, 12:32 PM
10-4 will do!

I'll post more pics of some local sugar cane I've got planted in the front of my property later today; if I get off my lazy behind and take the pictures:}

Ok here's the local Louisiana Sugar Cane.

I have NO CLUE of the variety of this cane.

All I can say that it came from a field in Central Louisiana:}

I planted it overlapped per advice and Wah Lah:08:

Peace B with U!

Happy Independence Day

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53569&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53569&ppuser=13202)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53570&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53570&ppuser=13202)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53567&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53567)

Oh Roses, Bananas, and Pomegranate's doing pretty good too:}

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53568&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53568&ppuser=13202)

Kbud
07-05-2013, 10:20 AM
Thanks for the pics and happy independence day to you too! I have more or less given up trying to identify varieties, because as I have mentioned on my thread "Sugarcane varieties," that there are too many to truly identify any of the cane. I'm just going to classify by "yellow," "green", "blue ribbon", etc. since identification is very tough. Thanks to sunfish, I am sending an email to chewingcane.com for prices.

Snookie
07-19-2013, 07:38 PM
Coolio

My cane is growing fairly well, hopefully well enough to get stock for replanting in October:}

Oh and a little for the grandkids to chew also:}

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53745&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53745&ppuser=13202)