Clove (karafuu)

About the crop: This crop has a growth habit described as "tree". You can normally start harvesting about 3650 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for dried flower buds (spice), clove oil; some use for medicine and beverages..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Best along humid tropical coasts and islands (e.g., coastal TZ/Zanzibar, northern Mozambique; pockets at Kenya coast). It is grouped under: Fruits & Nuts, Spices & Condiments.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 1500 to 2500 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 800 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 5.8 to 6.8. It does well in deep, well-drained red/loam soils rich in organic matter; benefits from coastal volcanic/ferallitic soils.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 700 centimetres apart, and leave about 700 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Seed or planting material: Use good quality seed or healthy planting material. Follow local extension advice for the exact amount per hectare.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 270 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.