Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

First published 4th July 2026

Back in March 2026 I wrote about an aerially-rooting and shooting sugarcane stem of Cultivar 1, which you can read about here.

That post ended with this photo, of the original stem in two pieces which were then potted up — the smaller piece on the right had been stupidly planted upside-down before I noticed. Here it is the right way up, but with the roots it had formed in the meantime now reaching for the sky:


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

At time of planting, the taller piece was about 250 mm and the shorter about 100 mm tall.

Back then I wrote:

I’m somewhat glad I stuffed this up the first time, as I’m now very curious as to what those now upside-down roots will or won’t do!

Well, now in July, some fifteen weeks later, they have done this — shrivelled up and died!


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

That piece is loose in the soil but at the same time doesn’t come away easily either. it is also still green and doesn’t have that “rotting look” that tells me clearly when the stem is on its way out after rooting. Thus this piece may or may not be rooting underground.

The taller piece in the meantime has been busy with shoots, now 800 mm tall excluding the pot.


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

This is ready to go into the ground and be both ornamental and edible for someone new, and thus It is now listed for sale.