How to get maximum benefits from cardamom, black pepper

Feb 23, 2009

CARDAMOM is a leafy tropical plant standing at 12 ft (3.7 metres). It is grown commercially in plantations under the shade of tall trees. Cardamom growing is labour-intensive. <br>The fruits are picked by hand before they are fully ripe.

By Vision Reporter

CARDAMOM is a leafy tropical plant standing at 12 ft (3.7 metres). It is grown commercially in plantations under the shade of tall trees. Cardamom growing is labour-intensive.
The fruits are picked by hand before they are fully ripe.

Conditions
Cardamom grows in filtered shade. It will not survive in open fields. It requires a constant temperature of around 22ºC. It suffers at temperatures below 10ºC, but will tolerate a little cold for a short time if kept very dry at the roots.

It will flower and fruit only under tropical conditions. In sub-tropical or temperate regions, it makes an attractive foliage plant in a warm greenhouse. In frost-free areas, grow cardamom in a shady and moist bed.

Cardamom needs constant moisture. It does okay if the rain stops for a short period. Propagation is usually by division of rhizomes or by splitting a larger plant into small pieces. The roots are very tough; you may need to use a sharp knife.

Cultivation
It does not do well in draught, sudden changes of temperature or direct sunlight. Grow it in a warm, moist, shady place and keep it moist with rainwater.

Pests
It is usually trouble-free. If plants are too cold their leaves turn brown. If moved to a warmer place, and the brown leaves cut off, they often grow again although this can take long. If the leaves brown at the tips at any time (even if the plant is kept warm) it is a sign of overwatering.
The long stalks are used to tie the leaves together to make a neat parcel of food.

Planting materials
Nadir got his planting materials from South India. They were tested and selected under Ugandan environmental conditions. Farmers can get them from Sezibwa Estates at sh300 - sh500. They are free for registered out-growers.
The cardamom pods sold for cooking are picked unripe so the seeds will not grow if you try to plant them.

Maturity
Takes two-and-half to three years to mature.

Uses
It is a principal ingredient in curry powders. It is also used as a flavour in confectioneries, liquors and chewing gums. In some parts of the world it is ground and mixed with coffee. In the West it is used in perfumes and in Mexico it is used in chewing gum.
Scandinavians use it to flavour bread, cakes, candies, sausages and meats.

Black pepper
This is a flowering tropical vine with attractive heart-shaped leaves. It is grown near trees because it is a climber. With patience and good cultivation it can be grown at home. It is cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning.

It needs a shade to survive outdoors. To propagate, sow the seeds in offsets from an established plant.

The plant needs about five years to mature and fruit.
It is hardly attacked by pests. Even aphids dislike the taste. Seeds and plants are available from Sezibwa Estates.

It grows to a height or length of 10 metres or more. When its main stem is established, it grows lots of side shoots to create a bushy column. It forms short roots which connect to surrounding for support.

The flowers develop into round, berry-like fruits. There may be 50-60 fruits on each spike. They grow to a diameter of 4 to 6mm, each containing a single seed. The fruits are green at first but turn red as they ripen. These fruits are picked when green or red to produce black and white pepper.

Pepper growing is a lifetime venture if well-maintained. On good soils and with good care, the quality of the harvest is good and fetches a good price.

Planting materials consist of the stem with three nodes. Separate these from the mother plant at the beginning of the rainy season, and plant in a nursery bed in a shade.

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