Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Lowering of the Vines

• When the vines reach a height of 3-4 m. in one year’s time, the vigour of the vine to produce normal size leaves will reduce. At this time, they need rejuvenation. This is achieved by lowering the vines down to the ground level at least once a year.
• Betel vine is a crop demanding frequent irrigation. Wherever providing regular irrigation is not possible, burry a large portion of the exposed vine in the soil. Attend to the lowering of the vines either in the commencement of monsoon or at the end of the monsoon. Summer is the best time for lowering the vines. Before lowering do harvest all the leaves. Untie the vines from bottom upwards, coiled up carefully leaving 1 or 2 feet length of top shoots, then burry in a small trench dug at the base of supporting tree.
• Lowering is done during March-April (1 time) in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, during May-June in Andhra Pradesh; during January-February or April-May in Tamil Nadu and 3-5 times in West Bengal and Orissa. In West Bengal and Orissa, after every lowering stem is covered with loose soil brought from out side. In open system, soil is dug and stem is coiled and lowered and thereafter covered with soil.