Calamus tenuis

Cultivation Details

Soils with a high moisture level are preferred by this species. Regular flooding of the planted area has been shown to increase shoot production^[1]. Most species in this genus are more or less vigorous climbing plants in rainforests. Leaves of young plants are normally damaged if exposed to too much light, though leaves of older plants will usually tolerate full sun. In general, plants are likely to grow best with their roots in the shade but with enough gap in the canopy to encourage their stems to grow up towards the light. They are also likely to grow best in a humus-rich soil^[PFAF]. Seedlings are raised in nursery and planted out at the onset of the rainy season. When planted, they can be mixed with other crops like peanut^[1]. Overhead shade should be manipulated at about 6-monthly intervals for the first 2 - 3 years of a young plant’s life to ensure they receive sufficient light to grow vigorously. About 40 - 50% light penetration is generally considered to be ideal for promoting stem growth. Little care is needed once the seedlings are established. It is important, however, to weed the area surrounding the seedlings occasionally until the plants are more than 2 metres tall. In an experimental trial of this species, better survival and growth performance was attained at somewhat higher elevations under tree canopies^[1]. When fertilized with green manure or without any fertilizer, shoot length growth and production of new shoots was better than when biofertilizers were applied^[1]. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.