[Syrupmakers] The scoop on thinning cane

[Joseph Castle]

Thanks for that clarification, Tracy. I was speaking only about sorghum --
and there's a good chance I'm wrong on that most of the time, too! Also,
good idea about the thinned/unthinned test. Depending on how things go this
fall, I might try that next year.

Joe Castle
Stambaugh, Ky.

On 9/11/07, Tracy Baudoin (tbaudoin) <tbaudoin at cisco.com> wrote:
>
>  I'm by no means an expert, but just to clarify a possibly obvious point
> here, only sorghum cane should be thinned…not sugarcane.
>
>
>
> From the sugarcane perspective, the size of the stalk means very little in
> relation to syrup quantity, unless you take into consideration the
> possibility that crusher mills, as most of us have, tend to get a higher
> percentage of total juice from a larger stalk.  That doesn't mean that the
> juice will be of higher quality or higher sugar(s) content when compared to
> smaller stalks.  In fact, most of the newest canes are being selected based
> on 70% possibility of transferring gene traits for sugars and only 30% for
> stalk size.  Of course, these are all best guesses of researchers in my area
> for sugar production.
>
>
>
> This year, I've begun taking some of my excessive vacation time and begun
> working at the USDA sugarcane research station in Houma, LA.  It's only
> about 12hr's/wk, but I've already learned a lot about cane selections, weed
> control, planting techniques, lab procedures, etc.  Again, so little time
> and such a lot of information to digest…
>
>
>
> So, although thinning of sugarcane is not recommended, I do understand the
> reasoning for thinning sorghum cane (lodging and possibly enhanced juice).
>  My question is, has anyone actually taken this to the next level and tested
> a thinned crop next to an unthinned crop with a refractometer?  Ten to
> Twenty samples of each should be a solid test.  They also grow a small patch
> of sorghum here, but I'm not sure what kind.  I don't believe they thin
> theirs at all…I'll ck this Friday.
>
>
>
> Tracy Baudoin
>
> Houma, LA
>
> Sugarcane
>
>
>
> P.S.  Richard,
>
> Dr. Tew says hello!
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* syrupmakers-bounces at syrupmakers.net [mailto:
> syrupmakers-bounces at syrupmakers.net] *On Behalf Of *Steve, Michelle,
> Miranda & Ashlyn
> *Sent:* Monday, September 10, 2007 8:55 PM
> *To:* syrupmakers at syrupmakers.net
> *Subject:* [Syrupmakers] The scoop on thinning cane
>
>
>
> I have been reading through the archives and see where thinning is taking
> place. What is all the advantages of thining. Does the larger cane produce
> more juice over all? I am in the learning process about cane. This is the
> second year we have planted it. I would love to learn to cook it.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Steve
>
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