<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><channel><title>Propagation on Cardamomo Colombia</title><link>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/tags/propagation/</link><description>Recent content in Propagation on Cardamomo Colombia</description><generator>Hugo -- gohugo.io</generator><language>en</language><managingEditor>info@cardamomocolombia.com (Cardamomo Colombia)</managingEditor><webMaster>info@cardamomocolombia.com (Cardamomo Colombia)</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0500</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/tags/propagation/index.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title>How to Germinate Cardamom Seeds: Step by Step</title><link>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-germinate-cardamom-seed-step-by-step-guide-and-timeline/</link><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0500</pubDate><author>info@cardamomocolombia.com (Cardamomo Colombia)</author><guid>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-germinate-cardamom-seed-step-by-step-guide-and-timeline/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://cardamomocolombia.com/blog/como-germinar-semilla-cardamomo-paso-a-paso/como-germinar-semilla-cardamomo-paso-a-paso.jpg" alt="Featured image of post How to Germinate Cardamom Seeds: Step by Step" /&gt;&lt;h2 id="introduction"&gt;Introduction
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Seed propagation is, alongside rhizome propagation, one of the two routes for obtaining cardamom plants. In Colombia, seed is the most relevant route when the goal is to scale up production, and the most accessible option when the budget does not stretch to certified rhizome.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The problem is that specific guidance on seed germination is almost never available. Most nursery documentation covers rhizome in detail and treats seed as an afterthought: &amp;ldquo;it can also be done, but it requires different practices.&amp;rdquo; That is exactly the gap this article fills.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;First, the honest warning.&lt;/strong&gt; Cardamom germination is slow and sensitive. If you have come looking for a result within a week, you will be disappointed. What you will find here is the complete protocol, the reference ranges we use, and the most common mistakes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="seed-or-rhizome-why-the-decision-matters"&gt;Seed or rhizome: why the decision matters
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Before diving into the protocol, it is worth comparing both routes, because the choice changes everything else.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table&gt;
&lt;thead&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Aspect&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Seed&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Rhizome&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/thead&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Time to ready plant&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Slower (9 to 12 months)&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Faster (6 to 9 months)&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Cost per plant&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Low&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;High&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Plants per batch&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Many&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Limited by rhizome availability&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Survival rate&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Lower&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;High&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Batch uniformity&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Variable&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;More homogeneous&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Recommended use&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Scaling up production&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Commercial plantations and mother block&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Practical recommendation:&lt;/strong&gt; if you are planting fewer than 500 plants, start with rhizome. If you need thousands, seed is mandatory because there are not enough rhizomes available.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-0-sourcing-quality-seed"&gt;Step 0: sourcing quality seed
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;This step determines the success of everything that follows. Poor seed does not germinate, and there is no technical fix to reverse that.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="where-to-source-seed"&gt;Where to source seed?
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;In Colombia there are two reliable sources:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your own farm&amp;rsquo;s harvest.&lt;/strong&gt; This is the safest option, because you know exactly where it comes from and how fresh it is.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your farm&amp;rsquo;s immediately preceding harvest.&lt;/strong&gt; If you have no production of your own, a neighbouring producer with a current-season harvest is the best source.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sector institutions&lt;/strong&gt; such as ICA and universities in the Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero), which manage multiplication plots.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What to avoid: seed of unknown origin and seed that has been stored for several years. Cardamom viability drops quickly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="seed-must-be-less-than-30-days-from-collection"&gt;Seed must be less than 30 days from collection
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;That is the most critical parameter, and the hardest to meet if you buy from outside the region. Seed more than two months from collection already germinates at a very low rate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="indicators-of-healthy-seed"&gt;Indicators of healthy seed
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Origin:&lt;/strong&gt; from a ripe fruit, green or yellowish, from the current harvest.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Appearance:&lt;/strong&gt; small seed, dark brown to brownish in colour, firm, without cracks.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Smell:&lt;/strong&gt; no smell of mould or rancidity.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Field-validation note:&lt;/strong&gt; the viability ranges and treatments described below are technical references. Each batch responds differently depending on origin, drying method and storage. Juan Pablo, the author of this article, can compare them against his on-farm experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-1-collecting-and-preparing-the-seed"&gt;Step 1: collecting and preparing the seed
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;h3 id="collecting-the-fruit"&gt;Collecting the fruit
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cardamom fruit is collected &lt;strong&gt;at the exact point of ripeness&lt;/strong&gt;, recognisable by:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Colour:&lt;/strong&gt; intense green starting to turn yellow, without reaching brown.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pod:&lt;/strong&gt; slightly open at the tip, without the seed having come loose.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Smell:&lt;/strong&gt; intense aroma in the pod.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Fruit collected too early will not germinate; fruit that is too ripe loses its seed as it dries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="extracting-the-seed"&gt;Extracting the seed
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is a manual process. Tools and steps:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shelling.&lt;/strong&gt; Open the pod on a clean surface. A fresh cardamom pod is hard; use a small tool or gently split it with your fingers.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Separation.&lt;/strong&gt; The seeds are very small (2-3 mm). Remove pod remnants with a fine sieve or by hand.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cleaning.&lt;/strong&gt; Discard seeds with stains, that are split open, or that show signs of mould.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;h3 id="drying-the-seed"&gt;Drying the seed
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;This step is underestimated and is where viability is lost.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dry in the shade&lt;/strong&gt;, never in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight kills the seed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Spread it in a thin layer on paper or cloth.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Time:&lt;/strong&gt; 2 to 5 days, until completely dry to the touch.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Target:&lt;/strong&gt; less than 10% moisture. If the seed bends when folded, it is still damp.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="storage"&gt;Storage
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Airtight&lt;/strong&gt; container, in a dry, dark place.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Ideally at a temperature between 15 and 20 °C.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not freeze the seed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Use the seed within 30 days&lt;/strong&gt; of collection. That is the window with the best germination.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-2-choosing-and-preparing-the-substrate"&gt;Step 2: choosing and preparing the substrate
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;The germination substrate must be &lt;strong&gt;light, airy and as sterile as possible&lt;/strong&gt;. The seed is small and its growth point has little reserve: a heavy, compacted substrate suffocates it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="recommended-substrate"&gt;Recommended substrate
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;A mix that works well in the nursery:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table&gt;
&lt;thead&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Component&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Proportion&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Contributes&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/thead&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Coir (coconut fibre)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;60%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Retains moisture without compacting&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Perlite or vermiculite&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;20%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Aeration, drainage&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sterile commercial growing substrate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;20%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Base nutrients, structure&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Very well-matured compost&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5% (max)&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Nutrient contribution; no more, because it compacts&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Alternative:&lt;/strong&gt; a ready-to-use commercial germination mix works if it is light and airy. Avoid pure garden soil: it carries pathogens and tends to be too dense.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="sterilisation-recommended"&gt;Sterilisation (recommended)
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;For a reliable germination batch, sterilise the substrate before sowing:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Steam:&lt;/strong&gt; 30 minutes at 100 °C.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fungicidal solution:&lt;/strong&gt; according to the product.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Solarisation:&lt;/strong&gt; leave the substrate in a closed bag in the sun for 3-4 days.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-3-pre-treating-the-seed"&gt;Step 3: pre-treating the seed
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;An optional step that significantly reduces soil-borne fungal attack.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Prepare a &lt;strong&gt;fungicide or biofungicide&lt;/strong&gt; at the concentration recommended by the product (usually a 10-minute immersion).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Immerse the seed&lt;/strong&gt; for 10 minutes.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rinse with clean water&lt;/strong&gt; immediately, to avoid leaving residues that could damage the embryo.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Do not skip the rinse.&lt;/strong&gt; Most phytotoxicity damage comes from failing to rinse after treatment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-4-sowing"&gt;Step 4: sowing
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;h3 id="depth-and-spacing"&gt;Depth and spacing
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Depth:&lt;/strong&gt; 1 to 1.5 cm. Deeper delays emergence and can cause rotting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Spacing:&lt;/strong&gt; 3 to 5 cm between seeds. If placed closer together, seedlings crowd each other as they sprout and fungi appear from contact.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Orientation:&lt;/strong&gt; the seed is placed with its most pointed end facing down.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="trays"&gt;Trays
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Germination trays&lt;/strong&gt; with cell plugs of 5 cm or more.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Optional:&lt;/strong&gt; absorbent paper in a tray, a method widely used for home germination, but overwatering must be avoided.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Fill with substrate and compact lightly without pressing firmly.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="initial-watering"&gt;Initial watering
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Water the substrate thoroughly before sowing&lt;/strong&gt;, not after. Watering afterwards displaces the seeds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;After sowing, maintain moisture with &lt;strong&gt;gentle mist irrigation or capillary watering&lt;/strong&gt; (tray underneath with water and substrate on top), never pouring water directly on top.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Moisture must be constant, not saturated.&lt;/strong&gt; A waterlogged substrate is the number one cause of rot.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-5-germination-conditions"&gt;Step 5: germination conditions
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is the factor almost everyone gets wrong.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="temperature"&gt;Temperature
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;table&gt;
&lt;thead&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Range&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Result&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/thead&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;25 to 30 °C&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Optimal. Germination in 15-25 days, good rate&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;20 to 25 °C&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Slow but viable. 25-40 days&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Below 20 °C&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Very slow, low germination&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Above 35 °C&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Seed damage&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Temperature is the factor that most affects germination and the least controllable&lt;/strong&gt; in a nursery without heating. For this reason, it is best to germinate during a warm-weather period or in a protected space.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="humidity"&gt;Humidity
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Constant, not saturated.&lt;/strong&gt; The bed should be moist to the touch, never soaked.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Light:&lt;/strong&gt; indirect light until the cotyledons appear. Afterwards, gradual gentle sunlight.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ventilation:&lt;/strong&gt; important. Without air circulation, fungi appear. A seed batch needs ventilation twice a day.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="greenhouse-effect"&gt;Greenhouse effect
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;A medium with a transparent cover (such as a bag or dome) helps maintain temperature and humidity, but:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It must be ventilated daily&lt;/strong&gt; once the first sprouts appear.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not leave it sealed: condensation rots the bed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-6-how-long-it-takes-and-what-to-expect"&gt;Step 6: how long it takes and what to expect
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;h3 id="typical-timeline"&gt;Typical timeline
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;table&gt;
&lt;thead&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Day&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;What happens&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/thead&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;0-3&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Sowing. The seed hydrates&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3-7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Visible swelling if the process is going well&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7-12&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Radicle emergence begins&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;15-25&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;First germination: cotyledons emerge from the substrate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;25-35&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;True leaves appear; transplanting possible if roots allow&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3-9 months&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Ready to transplant to the field or a larger bag&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Critical factor:&lt;/strong&gt; once 25 days have passed without any emergence, the batch will no longer germinate well. Discard it and review your management.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="signs-of-successful-germination"&gt;Signs of successful germination
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cotyledons&lt;/strong&gt; light green, rounded, opening like two valves.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Fine, straight &lt;strong&gt;white root&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Vertical growth.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;No brown spots&lt;/strong&gt; or white fuzz (that is mould).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="when-to-transplant"&gt;When to transplant
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Do not transplant until the seedling has &lt;strong&gt;at least 3-4 true leaves&lt;/strong&gt; and a visible root system of about 3-5 cm. If transplanted too early, the shock will kill it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hardening off (acclimatisation):&lt;/strong&gt; 10-14 days before planting in the field.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;For 3-4 days, leave the seedlings outside in the shade, for a while in the morning and gradually increasing afterwards.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Avoid direct sunlight&lt;/strong&gt; during the first weeks after transplanting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fertilisation:&lt;/strong&gt; start gently with a very diluted foliar fertiliser. Cardamom seedlings are sensitive to salinity.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="most-common-mistakes"&gt;Most common mistakes
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;table&gt;
&lt;thead&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Mistake&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Consequence&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;How to avoid it&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/thead&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Old seed, more than 2 months&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Does not germinate&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Buy from the current cycle; within 30 days&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Seed not dried properly&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Mould and rotting&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Dry in the shade until &amp;lt;10% moisture&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Substrate too dense&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Root suffocation&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;60% coir + 20% perlite + 20% commercial&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Temperature below 20 °C&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Minimal germination&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Germinate in warm weather or a protected space&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Watering over the bed&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Washes away and rots the seeds&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Water the substrate beforehand, then mist irrigation&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Saturated bed&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Fungi, root rot&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Keep moist, not soaked&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;No dome ventilation&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Green or white mould&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Ventilate 1-2 times a day&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Transplanting too early&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Shock and death&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Wait for 3-4 true leaves and 3-5 cm of root&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Leaving the cover sealed&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Condensation, rotting&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Remove the dome once cotyledons appear&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="operational-summary"&gt;Operational summary
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seed from the current harvest, less than 30 days old.&lt;/strong&gt; This is factor #1.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dry in the shade for 2-5 days&lt;/strong&gt;, until it no longer bends when folded.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Light, airy substrate&lt;/strong&gt;: 60% coir, 20% perlite, 20% commercial. Never pure garden soil.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sow at 1-1.5 cm&lt;/strong&gt;, seeds spaced 3-5 cm apart.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Water the substrate BEFORE sowing.&lt;/strong&gt; Afterwards, only gentle misting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;25 to 30 °C.&lt;/strong&gt; Below 20 °C, low germination.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;15-25 days&lt;/strong&gt; for first germination. No sprouts by day 25, review your management.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ventilate daily&lt;/strong&gt; and keep moist, never saturated.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Transplant at 3-4 true leaves&lt;/strong&gt;, with 10-14 days of acclimatisation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Opt for rhizome if you need few plants; for seed if you need thousands.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="about-the-author"&gt;About the author
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Juan Pablo Toro López&lt;/strong&gt; is an Agroindustrial Engineer (Universidad La Gran Colombia) with more than 15 years of experience in the food production chain: production, food safety, process standardisation and export requirements. He has taught agroindustry at SENA and at universities such as Universidad Andina and Fundación Universitaria San Martín, and has advised companies in the sector on digital marketing and sales. &lt;a class="link" href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/autor/" &gt;See the author&amp;rsquo;s full profile&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="about-cardamomo-colombia"&gt;About Cardamomo Colombia
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;We are producers and exporters of Colombian cardamom. If you are looking for quality seed or rhizome for your nursery, information on producer purchase prices, or agronomic management advice for your plot, &lt;a class="link" href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/comprar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"
&gt;write to us through the contact form&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="sources-and-recommended-reading"&gt;Sources and recommended reading
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cardamom Cultivation Manual (ICA, Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario)&lt;/strong&gt; — institutional reference for propagation in Colombia.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Technical guides from Universidad Nacional and CEPRO&lt;/strong&gt; on production in the Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Technical material from ICTA-CRIA (Guatemala)&lt;/strong&gt; on seed propagation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;JICA documentation&lt;/strong&gt; on Tahiti and the propagation of Elettaria cardamomum.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Temperature, humidity, depth and time ranges are technical references. Each seed batch responds differently depending on origin, variety, drying method and storage. For a specific result, validate with a technician in your area and record the collection date of the seed you use.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;h2 id="keep-reading"&gt;Keep reading
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class="link" href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/cardamom-nursery-how-to-start-one-step-by-step/" &gt;How to start a cardamom nursery step by step&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class="link" href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-propagate-cardamom-from-rhizomes-step-by-step-guide/" &gt;How to propagate cardamom by rhizomes step by step&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class="link" href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/cardamom-irrigation-frequency-calculation-and-avoiding-desiccation/" &gt;Cardamom irrigation: frequencies, calculation and how to avoid desiccation&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class="link" href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-grow-cardamom-in-colombia-a-step-by-step-guide/" &gt;How to plant cardamom in Colombia step by step&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;</description></item><item><title>How to Propagate Cardamom from Rhizomes</title><link>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-propagate-cardamom-from-rhizomes-step-by-step-guide/</link><pubDate>Sat, 06 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate><author>info@cardamomocolombia.com (Cardamomo Colombia)</author><guid>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-propagate-cardamom-from-rhizomes-step-by-step-guide/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://cardamomocolombia.com/blog/como-propagar-cardamomo-por-rizomas-paso-a-paso/como-propagar-cardamomo-por-rizomas-paso-a-paso.jpg" alt="Featured image of post How to Propagate Cardamom from Rhizomes" /&gt;&lt;h2 id="introduction"&gt;Introduction
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Propagation of cardamom by rhizomes is a key technique for farmers and nursery operators seeking to establish or multiply cardamom plantations in Colombia with healthy, uniform genetic material. This guide, focused on multiplication methods, offers a step-by-step overview covering everything from mother plant selection to bed establishment and material traceability, with practical recommendations drawn from technical protocols and field experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Throughout the text you will find precise instructions on: how to propagate cardamom by rhizomes in Colombia, a step-by-step guide to cardamom propagation by rhizomes in Colombia, cardamom rhizome propagation techniques on a Colombian farm, and care requirements for cardamom when propagated by rhizomes in Colombia. Productive and economic aspects linked to the mother plant bank are also addressed, such as cardamom cultivation costs and profitability in Colombia and potential markets for marketing and sales of Colombian cardamom.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="why-choose-rhizome-propagation"&gt;Why choose rhizome propagation
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;It allows multiplication of material with the same genetic and productive characteristics as the mother plant.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;It facilitates the establishment of a mother plant bank or cardamom plantation with traceability, which is crucial for nurseries and commercial projects.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;It is effective for obtaining seedlings ready for field transplanting that retain vigour and health when properly managed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 id="suitable-zones-and-growing-conditions-summary"&gt;Suitable zones and growing conditions (summary)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;When evaluating a site for a mother plant bank, altitude, shade, humidity and soil are taken into account. Ideal conditions reported in protocols include altitudes between 800 and 1,500 m a.s.l., average temperature of 18–28 °C, high relative humidity and partial shade of 40–60%. The soil should be deep, with good organic matter content and drainage. These conditions favour rhizome sprouting and health.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Suitable zones for cardamom cultivation in Colombia and specific zoning should be assessed locally through soil and climate analysis before establishing a mother plant bank.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="materials-and-preliminary-preparation"&gt;Materials and preliminary preparation
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Before starting rhizome propagation, ensure you have:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Clean, disinfected tools: knives, machetes, spades and brushes. Tool hygiene reduces the risk of contamination.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A shaded, ventilated curing area and planting beds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Organic matter (compost), mulch, and bio-inputs such as Trichoderma, seaweed extract or humates.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Records/labelling for traceability: a record sheet noting batch, date, mother plant and treatment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 id="step-by-step-how-to-divide-and-prepare-rhizomes"&gt;Step by step: how to divide and prepare rhizomes
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Below is the step-by-step guide for cardamom propagation by rhizomes, based on practical mother plantation protocols.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 id="1-selection-of-mother-plants"&gt;1. Selection of mother plants
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Identify young, highly productive plants as candidates; select 50–100 plants for an initial bank depending on objectives.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Prioritise plants with a history of health, vigour and consistent production to avoid disease transmission.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="2-careful-extraction"&gt;2. Careful extraction
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Loosen the soil around the plant with a spade or flat bar and lift the whole clump without breaking shoots. Gently shake off excess soil.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="3-rhizome-cleaning"&gt;3. Rhizome cleaning
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Wash with clean water until all mud is removed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Cut old stems, leaving 5–10 cm above the rhizome.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Check for soft spots, rot or infestations.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="4-division-criteria-and-technique"&gt;4. Division: criteria and technique
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use a sharp, disinfected knife or machete.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Each piece must contain at least 2 active buds and at least one live root; ideally 2–3 buds for greater success.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Avoid cutting fragments that are too small; the recommendation is to keep pieces of adequate weight and size (for example, 80–200 g depending on category).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="5-sealing-and-curing"&gt;5. Sealing and curing
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Dust the wounds with plant ash or sulphur powder to help them heal, or dip in an iodine-based disinfectant solution or a Trichoderma fungal solution.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Place the rhizomes in ventilated shade, cool and away from the sun, and plant as soon as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3 id="6-preventive-treatments-and-activators"&gt;6. Preventive treatments and activators
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Effective protocols described include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Garlic and cinnamon infusion: boil garlic and cinnamon in water, let cool and soak rhizomes for 20–30 minutes; this acts as a natural fungicide.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Trichoderma: a final dip or substrate application for biological protection.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Diluted biostimulants (seaweed/humates) to promote rooting and sprouting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(Combine treatments according to availability and local protocols; always test on small batches before scaling up.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="bed-planting-and-nursery-design"&gt;Bed planting and nursery design
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Recommended bed dimensions: width 1 m, height 25–30 cm; separate beds with 0.5–1 m walkways for ease of management.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Dig holes 10–15 cm deep; place the rhizome with buds facing upward and cover with loose, uncompacted soil. Mark each point.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mother plant bank spacing: 1.5 m between plants and 2.5 m between rows (these distances favour management and growth).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mulch or organic cover over the beds helps conserve moisture and temperature.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 id="initial-post-planting-care"&gt;Initial post-planting care
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maintain constant moisture without waterlogging; the first 45 days are critical. Basic irrigation plan: light watering every 2 days during the first weeks, checking sprouting weekly.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Apply diluted biofermented inputs (1:10) every 15 days according to the basic management plan.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Manual weed control and light substrate aeration as needed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 id="sanitary-control-and-common-problems"&gt;Sanitary control and common problems
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Main risks: fungi, nematodes and excess moisture. Early symptoms include yellow shoots, deformed leaves and a fermentation smell in the rhizome. Documented preventive and corrective measures:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Cinnamon extract sprays (30 g/L) every 15 days to reduce fungal incidence.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Application of beneficial microorganisms (Trichoderma, MM) to strengthen soil microbiota.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Remove and destroy affected material; improve drainage to reduce rot.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Common mistakes: cutting rhizomes too small, failing to disinfect tools, not curing cuts, and storing rhizomes in humid environments or sealed plastic bags.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="grading-curing-and-transport"&gt;Grading, curing and transport
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Grade rhizomes into Type A (premium), Type B (medium) and Type C (rejects) according to number of buds, firmness and health; this allows planning of use and marketing and sales.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Curing: 24–48 hours in shade and ventilation, with ash or sulphur applied to wounds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Transport: keep in thin layers on dry leaves, temperature 18–25 °C, and avoid sealed plastic bags; maximum storage of 5–7 days without significant loss of vigour.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 id="traceability-and-records"&gt;Traceability and records
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;A well-managed mother plant bank requires batch records including: code, harvest date, origin of the mother plant, treatment applied and observations. This facilitates quality, sanitary control and the sale of certified material.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="estimated-yield-and-scaling-up"&gt;Estimated yield and scaling up
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a technical example, a mother plantation can produce 4 suitable rhizomes per plant per year under favourable conditions; with 500 plants, around 2,000 rhizomes could be obtained annually. Documented success rates in nursery beds and transplanting reach around 75% with good practices.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Scaling up involves planning extraction rotations, replenishing organic matter, and renewing mother plants every 4–5 years to maintain genetic vigour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="costs-and-profitability-practical-view"&gt;Costs and profitability (practical view)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;The mother plantation is a medium-term investment: expected return between 2–5 years depending on scale and management. Cost estimates include land preparation, shade, acquisition of mother plants, organic fertilisers, tools and labour; each farm should draw up its own cost table and projections to determine profitability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;(For accurate calculations on cardamom cultivation costs and profitability in Colombia, use local data and your farm&amp;rsquo;s records.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="marketing-and-export-markets"&gt;Marketing and export markets
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;The production of high-quality rhizomes and seedlings opens sales channels to national and international nurseries and enables participation in export markets for Colombian cardamom, where traceability and certification add value. Explore certification options and trade agreements before exporting, and consult the regulations and export requirements applicable to your region and target market.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="final-practical-recommendations"&gt;Final practical recommendations
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Document each batch: record-keeping is the foundation for improving protocols.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maintain strict hygiene for tools and work areas to minimise disease.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not divide rhizomes outside the dormancy period; the right timing increases success.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Prioritise bio-inputs and compost to keep the soil alive and reduce dependence on chemicals.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Conduct controlled trials with new treatments before applying them across the entire plantation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 id="quick-practical-example-summarised-basic-protocol"&gt;Quick practical example: summarised basic protocol
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Selection: 50 healthy mother plants.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Extraction and cleaning: lift the clump, wash the rhizome.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Division: pieces with 2–3 buds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Curing: 24–48 h in shade with ash or sulphur.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Treatment: garlic infusion + Trichoderma dip + biostimulant.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Planting: beds 1 m wide, holes 10–15 cm, mark and water moderately.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Care: light watering every 2 days (first weeks), biofermented inputs every 15 days, sanitary control.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;h2 id="cta"&gt;CTA
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Multiply your crop with these practical techniques.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 id="final-question"&gt;Final question
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;How would you integrate these rhizome propagation practices into your farm&amp;rsquo;s productive and economic plan to improve the quality and traceability of material over the next 3 years?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;div class="wp-block-quote"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the author&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Juan Pablo Toro López&lt;/strong&gt; is an Agro-industrial Engineer (Universidad La Gran Colombia) with more than 15 years of experience in the food production chain: production, safety, process standardisation and export requirements. He has taught agro-industry at SENA and at universities such as Universidad Andina and Fundación Universitaria San Martín, and has advised companies in the sector on digital marketing and sales.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/autor/"&gt;View full author profile&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description></item><item><title>Cardamom Nursery: How to Start One Step by Step</title><link>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/cardamom-nursery-how-to-start-one-step-by-step/</link><pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate><author>info@cardamomocolombia.com (Cardamomo Colombia)</author><guid>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/cardamom-nursery-how-to-start-one-step-by-step/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://cardamomocolombia.com/blog/como-iniciar-un-vivero-de-cardamomo-paso-a-paso/como-iniciar-un-vivero-de-cardamomo-paso-a-paso.jpg" alt="Featured image of post Cardamom Nursery: How to Start One Step by Step" /&gt;&lt;h2 id="how-to-start-a-cardamom-nursery-step-by-step"&gt;How to start a cardamom nursery step by step
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Brief introduction&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Starting a cardamom nursery is a strategic decision for any new farmer who wants to control genetic quality, the health of plant material and reduce costs in the medium term. In this practical guide we examine, with a focus on reproduction by seed and by rhizome, the essential steps to design, set up and operate a nursery in Colombia, as well as relevant economic and market considerations for the region. The technical information on rhizome management comes from documented protocols and monitoring formats applied on mother plantations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="table-of-contents"&gt;Table of contents
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why create a cardamom nursery&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Strategic decision: seed vs rhizome (summary)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Requirements for starting a cardamom nursery in Colombia&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Nursery design and location&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Materials and substrate preparation&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Reproduction by rhizome: step-by-step protocol&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Reproduction by seed: considerations and sources (summary)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Health management and recommended bioinputs&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Schedule and care during the first year&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Estimated initial investment and establishment costs&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Market, export and basic permits to consider&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Where to buy plants or material (options and recommendations)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Final tips and common mistakes&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="why-create-a-cardamom-nursery"&gt;Why create a cardamom nursery
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;A well-designed nursery allows you to:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Control the quality and traceability of planting material.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Speed up the availability of plants to establish or restock farms.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Reduce dependence on external suppliers and their health-status variations.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Generate a productive asset (mother bank) that, with management, produces rhizomes to expand the plantation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These advantages mean that, for new producers, learning how to start a cardamom nursery is an investment in productive autonomy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="strategic-decision-seed-vs-rhizome"&gt;Strategic decision: seed vs rhizome
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Reproduction by rhizome: a widely documented technique in practical manuals for cardamom. The rhizome contains reserves and buds, which allows plants to be multiplied predictably and with high success rates when extraction, disinfection, curing and planting protocols are applied. Many manuals recommend starting with a mother bank (e.g.: 500 rhizomes) for controlled scaling up.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Reproduction by seed: this is included as an option in cultivation guides (propagation and planting section) but requires different practices (fruit collection, seed extraction, treatment and germination management); in the documents consulted, this route is described at a framework level (propagation and planting), so it is recommended to approach it with technical advice if you intend to implement it as the main method.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Summary: for new farmers and those seeking predictable and fast results in plant availability, reproduction by rhizome is the priority strategy and the best documented in the technical materials consulted.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="requirements-for-starting-a-cardamom-nursery-in-colombia"&gt;Requirements for starting a cardamom nursery in Colombia
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Key points to check before starting:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Soil: good drainage, presence of organic matter and suitable texture (avoid waterlogging). The soil and climate requirements are described in the technical crop guides.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Shade: filtered shade between 40–60% favours the establishment of the mother bank; it is recommended to use living shade (compatible local species) or netting that provides uniform shade.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Accessibility and protection: an area protected from livestock access and with access to manual or distributed irrigation for efficient management.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Recommended space for an initial mother bank: 1,000–1,500 m² for 500 mother plants, which facilitates monitoring and health management.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Records and traceability: formats for plant records, rhizome extraction and monthly monitoring are suggested as standard practice.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These requirements are the basis for any investment plan or request for cardamom cultivation advice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="nursery-design-and-location"&gt;Nursery design and location
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Essential design elements:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Zones: mother bank area (mother plants), beds or pots for germination/recovery, rhizome washing and curing area, and space for input storage.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Layout: planting beds with a recommended width of 1 m, height of 25–30 cm and aisles of 0.5–1 m between beds for circulation and drainage.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Shade: filtered shade 40–60%; compatible local species or netting structures can be used. Avoid exposing recently divided material to direct sunlight.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A good bed layout and workflow diagram makes the operation more efficient: selection → disinfection → curing → planting → irrigation → health control.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="materials-and-substrate-preparation"&gt;Materials and substrate preparation
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Base substrate: mixtures rich in organic matter, well aerated and with good drainage. The guides recommend mature compost and organic material to improve soil structure.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Containers and beds: raised beds, pots or aerated plastic bags for small nurseries. Keep the bed free of weeds and covered with organic mulch to retain moisture.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Tools: sharp, sanitisable shovels, knives or machetes; gloves, aerated baskets and clean surfaces for curing. Maintain a consistent cleaning protocol.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="reproduction-by-rhizome-step-by-step-protocol"&gt;Reproduction by rhizome: step-by-step protocol
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Below is a practical protocol, based on technical manuals, for reproducing cardamom by rhizome in a nursery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Selection of mother material&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Choose vigorous mother plants, with a productive history and no symptoms of pests or diseases. Keep identification records for each plant (code, planting date, origin, altitude, leaf colour, vigour).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="2"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Ideal time to divide rhizomes&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Division should be carried out during the post-harvest dormancy phase; in Colombia this period usually coincides with the end of the rainy season or the start of the dry season. Indicators: dry lower leaves, visible buds at the base, firm rhizome with a cream/light yellow colour.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="3"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Extraction and cleaning&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Loosen the soil to a depth of 20–30 cm around the plant using a shovel or flat bar. Carefully lift the clump and shake off the soil without damaging shoots. Wash with clean water and brush if necessary.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="4"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Dividing the rhizome&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use a clean, sharp tool. Each piece must have at least 2 visible buds and at least one live root. Suggested weight per piece: 100–200 g (according to practical protocol). Avoid extreme cuts that produce pieces that are too small.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="5"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sanitation and curing&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Dust cuts with plant ash or sulphur powder; let dry in the shade for 24–48 hours for healing (curing). Do not store wet or stacked; avoid direct sunlight.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="6"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Preventive treatments (documented natural options)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Warm water bath (50 °C) for 10–15 minutes for surface disinfection.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Garlic and cinnamon infusion (e.g.: 10 cloves of garlic + 2 cinnamon sticks per litre, boil for 10 min, cool) for 20–30 minutes of immersion.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Final application of Trichoderma or biostimulants (algae/humates) as indicated to promote sprouting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="7"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Planting in beds or containers&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plant the rhizomes in prepared beds (1 m wide, 25–30 cm high) with adequate spacing; moderate watering and partial shade. Keep a record of the planting date and treatment applied.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="8"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Emergence and management (first 2 months)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Light watering every 2 days at the start, depending on climate; weekly check for sprouting; application of diluted biofermenters every 15 days if applicable. Avoid chemical fertilisers during the rhizome&amp;rsquo;s emergence stage; prioritise compost and bioinputs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ol start="9"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Transplanting to the final field&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;After 8–10 months, and once solid root and sprout development is observed, seedlings can be transplanted to the field following the planting distances and shade requirements of the final plantation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Note: the above protocol summarises proven practices from technical manuals and mother bank formats; following each step closely is key to achieving success rates close to 75% under controlled conditions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="reproduction-by-seed-considerations-summary"&gt;Reproduction by seed: considerations (summary)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;The technical guides include seed propagation as an option; however, in the documentation consulted, the most detailed and practical protocols available are oriented towards reproduction by rhizome. If you decide to follow the seed route, consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Collection and selection of ripe fruit, seed extraction and cleaning.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Management of the germination bed with aerated substrates and controlled watering.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Longer time until plants are available compared with rhizomes, and the need for specific germination controls.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Since the specific technical details on seed treatments are not as developed in the materials consulted as the rhizome protocols, it is recommended to supplement them with specialised technical advice or courses on seed propagation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="health-management-and-recommended-bioinputs"&gt;Health management and recommended bioinputs
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Keep tools disinfected before and after each use. Clean tools are the best vaccine against nursery losses.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;For fungal control and prevention in rhizomes, garlic and cinnamon infusion baths are documented, as well as the use of Trichoderma as a biological treatment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Monitor the presence of relevant pests and apply integrated management strategies when necessary; there is specialised documentation on thrips control and other phytophagous pests for cardamom.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="schedule-and-care-during-the-first-year-practical-example"&gt;Schedule and care during the first year (practical example)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Months 0–1: bed preparation and selection of mother material; extraction and curing of rhizomes.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Months 1–3: planting in beds, light watering, monitoring of sprouting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Months 3–8: seedling management, biofermenter applications, weed control and health management.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Months 8–12: evaluation for field transplanting or to establish an expanded mother bank.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 id="a-more-detailed-calendar-and-monthly-monitoring-formats-for-500-mother-plants-are-available-in-the-technical-guides-studied-and-are-recommended-for-rigorous-control"&gt;A more detailed calendar and monthly monitoring formats for 500 mother plants are available in the technical guides studied and are recommended for rigorous control.
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;h2 id="estimated-initial-investment-and-establishment-costs"&gt;Estimated initial investment and establishment costs
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Guides and studies compile cost estimates that vary depending on the methodology; in some technical exercises an approximate investment of &lt;strong&gt;≈ US$7,400/ha&lt;/strong&gt; is reported for systems with a mother plantation and staggered establishment (indicative figure). In addition, the production cost per rhizome was estimated at &lt;strong&gt;US$0.25&lt;/strong&gt;, with a reference sale price of &lt;strong&gt;US$1.00&lt;/strong&gt; per unit in commercial reproduction scenarios (example values and documented assumptions). These figures are useful for planning economic scenarios and assessing profitability over 3–5 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For producers in Colombia, local experience mentions investment ranges per hectare of &lt;strong&gt;20–24 million pesos&lt;/strong&gt; for establishment (this figure may not include advisory services or additional logistics costs), so it is important to prepare a detailed budget based on local conditions and current quotes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Strategies to reduce costs: produce bioinputs on the farm, use living cover crops, partner with other producers and train local labour. These strategies are documented as ways to reduce operating expenses without sacrificing quality.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Warning: the figures above are indicative and depend on local factors (labour, logistics, inputs, distance to markets). Always prepare a cash flow adapted to your farm.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="market-export-and-basic-permits-to-consider"&gt;Market, export and basic permits to consider
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The cardamom market in Latin America and globally shows demand in multiple destinations; trade studies show import flows and relevant buying regions. To export, in addition to product quality, it is necessary to meet phytosanitary and commercial requirements and, in many cases, certifications (organic, traceability) that involve costs and management.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;If your goal is how to export cardamom from Colombia, plan from the nursery stage: traceability of material, agricultural practices that favour quality, and compliance with importer requirements; consult local authorities for phytosanitary permits and packaging/labelling requirements. Technical documents recommend partnering with associations or exporting companies to access international markets.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="where-to-buy-cardamom-plants-in-colombia-options-and-recommendations"&gt;Where to buy cardamom plants in Colombia (options and recommendations)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Producing your own material (mother bank) is the most recommended alternative to control quality and costs, as described in the technical manuals for mother plantations.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;If you buy plants, look for suppliers with traceability, references and health certificates; avoid material with no health history. Build relationships with specialised nurseries or producer groups that offer guarantees.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="final-tips-and-common-mistakes"&gt;Final tips and common mistakes
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not divide rhizomes outside the dormancy period; excessive division or pieces that are too small reduce sprouting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maintain cleaning protocols: tools and curing areas must be disinfected regularly.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Keep records: plant records, rhizome extraction and monthly monitoring facilitate decision-making and traceability.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Prioritise quality over quantity when starting out; a well-managed mother bank is the foundation of a profitable and sustainable project.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="cta"&gt;CTA
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ready to get started? Create your own nursery with our guide.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Would you like me to prepare an investment plan and a customised schedule for your farm (area, altitude and budget)?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;div class="wp-block-quote"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the author&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Juan Pablo Toro López&lt;/strong&gt; is an Agroindustrial Engineer (Universidad La Gran Colombia) with more than 15 years of experience in the food production chain: production, food safety, process standardisation and export requirements. He has been an agroindustry lecturer at SENA and at universities such as Universidad Andina and Fundación Universitaria San Martín, and a digital marketing and sales advisor for companies in the sector.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/autor/"&gt;View full author profile&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description></item><item><title>Cardamom Planting Techniques That Work</title><link>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/efficient-techniques-for-planting-cardamom/</link><pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate><author>info@cardamomocolombia.com (Cardamomo Colombia)</author><guid>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/efficient-techniques-for-planting-cardamom/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://cardamomocolombia.com/blog/tecnicas-eficientes-sembrar-cardamomo/tecnicas-eficientes-sembrar-cardamomo.jpg" alt="Featured image of post Cardamom Planting Techniques That Work" /&gt;&lt;h2 id="efficient-techniques-for-planting-cardamom"&gt;Efficient techniques for planting cardamom
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Introduction&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The aim of this technical guide is to offer farmers and technicians a practical reference on techniques for planting cardamom in Colombia, focusing on site selection, rhizome propagation, soil management and organic fertilisation, integrated pest control, and commercial and cost considerations. The content is aimed at producers seeking to implement professional, sustainable systems based on documented experiences and practical protocols for mother plantations and production scale-up.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="1-planning-and-site-selection"&gt;1. Planning and site selection
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;1.1. Ecological zoning and climate&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Before deciding to plant, carry out an ecological zoning of the property: identify altitude, rainfall pattern, average temperature and seasonality. Analysis of the crop&amp;rsquo;s climatic and soil requirements is essential to determine whether the site is suitable and to define management strategies adapted to the microzone. For Colombia, there is technical literature summarising zoning, climatic requirements and soil properties that should be taken into account in planning.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1.2. Access, water availability and services&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Assess water availability for irrigation and management, access for farm work and transport, and the logistics for marketing and sales or export. Economic viability will depend both on agronomic suitability and on accessibility to markets and services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="2-soils-and-pre-planting-analysis"&gt;2. Soils and pre-planting analysis
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;2.1. Soil characteristics&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The crop requires well-drained soils with good structure and organic matter content; soil diagnosis (texture, pH, organic matter and nutrient availability) allows corrections and the fertilisation strategy to be defined. Studies and guides on soils and fertilisation recommend prioritising soil biological health for medium- and long-term sustainability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;2.2. Preparation and corrections&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Carry out soil analysis before land preparation. Apply amendments and correctives (lime, compost and others) according to laboratory recommendations and the property&amp;rsquo;s history; avoid over-application of nitrogen fertilisers without technical diagnoses. Record all amendments and results to design an effective fertilisation plan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="3-selection-of-genetic-material-and-establishment-of-the-mother-plantation"&gt;3. Selection of genetic material and establishment of the mother plantation
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;3.1. Mother plants and genetic bank&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Selecting healthy, vigorous mother plants with traceability is the foundation for successful reproduction. Establishing an organised mother bank, with records of origin, plant codes and periodic monitoring, facilitates the production of quality rhizomes and the traceability required for demanding markets. Practical protocols for designing and maintaining a mother bank are described in specialised guides.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3.2. Advantages of the mother plantation&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A well-managed mother bank ensures a supply of plant material, allows the selection of elite genotypes and reduces phytosanitary risks by maintaining periodic health and nutrition checks. Keep technical records for the bank plants and update them every six months.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="4-propagation-division-and-planting-by-rhizome"&gt;4. Propagation: division and planting by rhizome
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;4.1. Principles of rhizome multiplication&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Rhizome propagation is the most widely used technique for establishing new plants with the characteristics of the mother material. Success depends on extracting rhizomes with enough buds, disinfecting tools, curing the cuts and planting under controlled shade and humidity conditions. Detailed protocols describe how to divide, treat and plant rhizomes to maximise sprouting rate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;4.2. Summary of practical steps&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Select firm rhizomes with a minimum number of active buds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Disinfect tools and make cuts following sanitary criteria.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Cure the cuts in a ventilated, shaded place; avoid direct sun exposure.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plant without excessive delay: do not store for more than 7 days unless ideal conditions are maintained.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Record the planting date, batch of origin and observations for monitoring.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Common mistakes and solutions (according to technical documentation): cutting rhizomes that are too small (avoid), failing to disinfect tools (prevent with iodine or disinfectants), excess water (rotting problems), and direct sun exposure (dehydration).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="5-plantation-design-density-and-shade"&gt;5. Plantation design, density and shade
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;5.1. Density and layout&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A widely used technical density reference is planting in squares of approximately 2 x 2 m, giving around 2,000 plants per hectare; however, density can be adjusted according to production objectives and shade management. Establishment and maintenance costs per hectare are documented and should be considered in financial planning.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;5.2. Shade and microclimate management&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cardamom benefits from a microclimate with protection from direct light (living shade) and stable relative humidity. Improving the microclimate through living or temporary shade reduces heat stress and favours crop health; this is part of the preventive cultural practices described in technical guides.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="6-irrigation-and-water-management"&gt;6. Irrigation and water management
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;6.1. General principle&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Water must be an ally of the crop: maintaining adequate moisture without causing waterlogging is key to avoiding rot and favouring root development. Technical documentation emphasises the balance between moisture and drainage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;6.2. Systems and considerations&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While technical guides recommend evaluating irrigation systems according to availability and costs, one alternative under contemporary technical discussion is drip irrigation for cardamom in Colombia, which should be evaluated through cost-benefit analysis and according to the producer&amp;rsquo;s management capacity and the property&amp;rsquo;s conditions. In the absence of standardised local protocols, the decision should be based on water analysis, topography and installation and operating costs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="7-fertilisation-and-crop-nutrition"&gt;7. Fertilisation and crop nutrition
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;7.1. Principles and approaches&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Studies and experience with similar crops recommend prioritising soil biological health: applying organic fertilisers (bocashi, compost), vermicompost and efficient microorganisms helps maintain fertility and production sustainability. It is advisable to carry out soil analysis and design a nutrition programme that combines organic amendments and, where applicable, balanced fertilisation based on diagnosis.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;7.2. Practical examples and organic management&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Mother plantation and maintenance protocols record the use of liquid compost, Trichoderma and worm leachate as nutrition and disease-control practices in organic systems, with periodic application calendars adapted to the condition of the plot. Keeping application records facilitates adjustments and future certifications.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="8-integrated-pest-and-disease-management"&gt;8. Integrated pest and disease management
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;8.1. General approach&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Integrated pest management (IPM) combines cultural practices, sampling, biological controls and, when necessary, selective chemical tools. Prevention through plant material health and keeping the plot clean (removal of crop residues, sanitary pruning) is essential to reduce inoculum and pest and disease populations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;8.2. Thrips and recommended strategies&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Among the significant pests, thrips can affect pods and flowers; technical documents cover biological and botanical options (neem, vegetable oils, potassium soaps, botanical pyrethrins, spinosad for organic programmes) that have shown efficacy in trials and integrated management recommendations. These alternatives help reduce residues in the product and sustain access to markets with low-residue requirements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;8.3. Fungal control and cultural measures&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For fungal diseases, preventive management is recommended: pruning of damaged parts, plot cleaning, controlled burning or removal of crop residues, and applications of products at technical dosages when diagnosis indicates. Periodic pruning and moisture control in the basal layer help minimise fungal proliferation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="9-planting-and-harvest-calendar-practical-reference"&gt;9. Planting and harvest calendar (practical reference)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;To facilitate the scheduling of tasks, a simplified guide of annual activities (based on experience and protocols) proposes actions by month, from soil preparation and rhizome planting to checks and results analysis. This calendar serves as a reference for designing the Colombian cardamom planting and harvest calendar on each farm, always adapting it to local conditions.
Simplified example:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Jan–Feb: soil preparation and diagnosis.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mar–Apr: rhizome planting / transplanting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;May–Jun: weed management and biofertiliser applications.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Jul–Aug: vigour and health assessment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sep–Oct: shade and compost reinforcement.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Nov–Dec: results analysis and expansion planning.
These stages should be adjusted to the microclimate and rainfall regime of the production area.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="10-establishment-costs-and-economic-estimation"&gt;10. Establishment costs and economic estimation
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;10.1. Cost components&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Technical cost documents include line items for land preparation, soil analysis, inputs (compost, microorganisms, tools), maintenance work days, and harvest and processing activities. Documented cost sheets per hectare provide a basis for calculating initial investment and maintenance costs. Refer to the cost guide to prepare your budget and financial plan before establishing the plantation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;10.2. Time horizon and harvest point&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Economic returns depend on establishment time, productivity per plant and product quality. Technical documentation indicates that harvesting and processing can begin around 18 to 24 months after planting, depending on management and local conditions; plan cash flows based on these timeframes and yield projections.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="11-marketing-sales-markets-and-export-considerations"&gt;11. Marketing, sales, markets and export considerations
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;11.1. Potential markets and quality standards&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cardamom is traded internationally according to purity and quality specifications; the harmonisation of international standards (Codex, ISO) facilitates trade and defines technical and product safety criteria. Accessing demanding markets requires meeting quality and traceability specifications.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;11.2. Export: general steps and requirements&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For those considering international sales (for example, steps to export cardamom from Colombia to the United States or export routes for cardamom from Colombia to Latin America), it is essential to obtain information on sanitary and phytosanitary requirements; technical documentation recommends working with competent authorities and foreign trade advisors to meet the necessary requirements and certifications. Avoid assuming requirements without technical and legal advice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="12-best-practices-and-final-recommendations"&gt;12. Best practices and final recommendations
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Establish and maintain a mother bank with records of origin, health and productivity.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Carry out soil analysis and design a fertilisation plan that prioritises organic amendments and soil longevity.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Implement integrated pest management focused on prevention, sampling and the responsible use of bio-inputs and products approved under your production scheme.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Record costs (installation and maintenance) and project cash flows to assess profitability per hectare.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Design an operational calendar adapted to the local climate and keep technical records of all tasks and applications.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="conclusion"&gt;Conclusion
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cardamom planting techniques that integrate material selection, rhizome propagation, soil management with an emphasis on organic matter, integrated pest control and economic planning are the basis for establishing sustainable, market-oriented production systems. The protocols described in technical guides offer practical steps and records that reduce risk and increase the capacity to scale up production while maintaining quality and traceability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Master professional planting techniques.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Which technical aspect (material selection, rhizome management, nutrition or pest control) do you consider a priority for optimising your next cardamom planting, and why?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;div class="wp-block-quote"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the author&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Juan Pablo Toro López&lt;/strong&gt; is an Agro-Industrial Engineer (Universidad La Gran Colombia) with more than 15 years of experience in the food production chain: production, food safety, process standardisation and export requirements. He has taught agro-industry at SENA and at universities such as Universidad Andina and Fundación Universitaria San Martín, and has worked as a digital marketing and sales advisor for companies in the sector.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/autor/"&gt;View full author profile&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description></item><item><title>How to Grow Cardamom in Colombia: Step by Step</title><link>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-grow-cardamom-in-colombia-a-step-by-step-guide/</link><pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate><author>info@cardamomocolombia.com (Cardamomo Colombia)</author><guid>https://cardamomocolombia.com/en/blog/how-to-grow-cardamom-in-colombia-a-step-by-step-guide/</guid><description>&lt;img src="https://cardamomocolombia.com/blog/como-sembrar-cardamomo-en-colombia-paso-a-paso/como-sembrar-cardamomo-en-colombia-paso-a-paso.jpg" alt="Featured image of post How to Grow Cardamom in Colombia: Step by Step" /&gt;&lt;h2 id="introduction"&gt;Introduction
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you are looking to learn &amp;ldquo;how to plant cardamom in Colombia step by step&amp;rdquo;, this practical guide is designed for beginner growers who want to establish and propagate cardamom plants with a technical, farm-applicable approach. Here you will find the documented procedure for working from the mother plant (rhizomes) through to transplanting, along with recommendations on soil management, irrigation, fertilisation, pest control and basic logistical aspects for production and marketing and sales. This guide draws on technical protocols for rhizome propagation and on studies regarding fertilisation and phytosanitary management documented for cardamom cultivation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Important note for the reader: the documentation available and cited in this guide emphasises propagation from rhizomes (division of mother plants). Although other propagation methods exist in agriculture, the verified technical information presented here focuses on rhizomes; therefore, the content is developed from that technique through to transplanting.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="process-overview-general-outline"&gt;Process overview (general outline)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Selection and establishment of a mother planting or nursery from rhizomes.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Extraction and division of rhizomes: criteria for cuts, number of buds and piece handling.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Disinfection and activation treatments for rhizomes (hot water baths, natural infusions, biostimulants).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Planting in beds or pots and nursery maintenance (shade, irrigation, substrate).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Soil management and fertilisation with an emphasis on organic fertilisers to maintain soil biota.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Prevention and control of pests and diseases through cultural practices and, where appropriate, registered technical treatments.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Transplanting to the field: plant quality criteria, phytosanitary condition and preparation of the planting hole and microclimate. (see following sections)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="1-selection-and-establishment-of-the-mother-planting-nursery"&gt;1. Selection and establishment of the mother planting (nursery)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;To propagate quality material, it is advisable to establish a controlled mother planting or nursery. Technical documents describe this step as fundamental to ensuring disease-free plants with high vigour. The establishment protocol includes selecting healthy rhizomes, preparing planting beds with adequate shade and maintaining rigorous sanitary control.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Key points:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use material from a planting recognised for its health and yield. The mother planting must be free of symptoms of disease and pests.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maintain partial shade in the nursery; cardamom responds favourably to microclimates with protection from excessive direct sunlight.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Record dates and lots for traceability, especially if production is aimed at markets requiring certification.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="2-extraction-and-division-of-rhizomes-step-by-step"&gt;2. Extraction and division of rhizomes: step by step
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;The documented technique for dividing rhizomes includes the following practical steps and measurements, which increase the success rate in obtaining seedlings ready for transplanting:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Extraction of the mother plant:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Loosen the soil around the plant with a spade or flat bar and extract the whole clump with roots and rhizome.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Shake off the soil carefully to avoid damaging shoots.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cleaning the rhizome:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Wash with running water to remove adhering soil.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Cut old stems, leaving 5–10 cm above the rhizome; check that there are no rotten parts.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Division of the rhizome:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Use a sharp, disinfected tool. Each piece must contain at least 2 visible buds and at least one live root.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The technical document suggests pieces weighing approximately between 100 and 200 grams to favour sprouting.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sealing cuts and curing:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Dust plant ash or powdered sulphur onto the cuts and leave to dry in the shade for 24 hours before liquid treatments.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This process reduces fungal entry and improves healing.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Common mistakes and solutions (documented): cutting rhizomes too small, failing to disinfect tools, excess water and exposure to direct sunlight, each with its recommended solutions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="3-treatments-for-disinfection-and-bud-activation"&gt;3. Treatments for disinfection and bud activation
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Technical documents recommend practical treatments that can be applied before planting the rhizomes to reduce pathogens and stimulate bud emergence:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Warm water bath: 50 °C for 10–15 minutes; cool before planting. This bath helps eliminate surface fungi and insect eggs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Natural garlic and cinnamon infusion: prepare a decoction (for example, 10 garlic cloves + 2 cinnamon sticks per litre, boil for 10 minutes) and soak the rhizomes for 30 minutes; effective against fungi and some bacteria.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Biostimulants (seaweed or humates): dilute according to the product&amp;rsquo;s instructions (technical usage example: 10 ml/L) and soak for 15–30 minutes; these favour root development and bud emergence.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These treatments, combined with proper piece selection and prior curing, significantly increase the success rate in the nursery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="4-nursery-planting-and-care-until-transplanting"&gt;4. Nursery planting and care until transplanting
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Planting in beds or containers:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plant the rhizomes in shaded beds or in pots with loose, well-drained substrate; maintain moisture but avoid waterlogging.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Irrigation: maintain constant moisture during the sprouting stage without saturating. Irrigation techniques and soil management should prioritise good drainage to prevent rot.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Nursery care:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Shade control: partial shade to prevent desiccation and stress from direct sunlight.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sanitary control: disinfection of tools, removal of debris and monitoring to detect pests and diseases early. Hygiene in the nursery is key.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Indicators for considering a plant ready for transplanting:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plants with vigorous shoots, developed roots and no phytosanitary symptoms.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Once plants reach sufficient vigour in pots or beds, transplanting to the field is planned following sanitary and seasonal criteria.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="5-soil-management-and-fertilisation"&gt;5. Soil management and fertilisation
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Fertilisation and soil management are determining factors for the sustainability of the crop. Studies and theses recommend prioritising soil biota and the use of organic fertilisers to maintain fertility and profitability over time. Among the documented recommendations: use of compost, bocashi and effective microorganisms to improve productivity and grain quality.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Practical points:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Carry out soil analysis before planting and apply corrective measures according to results. Costs documented in establishment guides include soil analysis as a significant budget item.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Incorporation of organic matter (such as bocashi) helps control certain nematodes and improves soil structure.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Avoid indiscriminate over-application of nitrogen fertilisers; the literature notes that sustainable practices with organic fertilisation favour medium- and long-term sustainability.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="6-irrigation-and-microclimate-management"&gt;6. Irrigation and microclimate management
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cardamom requires a microclimate with stable humidity and partial shade. In areas with irregular rainfall, supplementary irrigation and techniques to avoid excess moisture that favours fungi are necessary. Technical guides recommend improving the microclimate through shade and drainage management to avoid phytosanitary problems.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Practical recommendations:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Install an irrigation system that maintains moisture without waterlogging the soil.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Improve drainage in plots prone to water accumulation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maintain living barriers or shade systems to control radiation and temperature at the plant.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="7-pest-and-disease-management-preventive-and-technical"&gt;7. Pest and disease management (preventive and technical)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Prevention through cultural practices is a priority: keep the plot clean, remove and burn crop residues, rotate crops at the end of the cycle and disinfect tools. These measures are documented as effective practices for reducing disease incidence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Documented technical controls:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mancozeb is reported as an input used in preventive control, with technical reference dosages in some protocols.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;For nematode control or specific lesions, documents describe specific technical applications (for example, CADUSAFOS 20 g/plant in certain contexts). These applications must be used in accordance with current regulations and with technical advice.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Oxytetracycline and other measures are mentioned in manuals for bacterial control under specific conditions; the use of any agrochemical must comply with local regulations and technical recommendations regarding doses and appropriate withdrawal periods.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Important: always apply integrated management practices, prioritising cultural and biological measures and the responsible use of chemical inputs when recommended by a technician and in accordance with phytosanitary regulations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="8-transplanting-to-the-field-preparation-and-criteria"&gt;8. Transplanting to the field: preparation and criteria
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Before transplanting, ensure that nursery plants meet the sanitary and vigour criteria mentioned above. The receiving plot must be prepared with planting holes or loose beds, good drainage and controlled shade. Disinfect tools and avoid transplanting during periods of water stress or extreme heat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Documented suggestions:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Transplant when plants show vigorous shoots and sufficient roots.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maintain management practices that favour adaptation: establishment irrigation, weed control and protection from direct sunlight.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="9-costs-profitability-and-supply-chain"&gt;9. Costs, profitability and supply chain
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Crop establishment and maintenance costs have been documented in practical guides, with budget items such as land preparation, soil analysis, inputs and labour. It is advisable to draw up a budget per hectare and plan cash flow for the first years of establishment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For organising the supply chain: plan manual harvesting, appropriate drying and packaging processes, and manage documentation for traceability if the destination is export. Access to international markets and premium prices usually requires certifications and compliance with phytosanitary requirements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="10-certifications-and-requirements-for-export"&gt;10. Certifications and requirements for export
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;International markets value certifications such as organic (USDA, EU Organic, JAS) and require documentation of cultivation practices, traceability and residue limits. Obtaining certifications can open access to premium-price niches, but entails costs and compliance with regulations. Plan ahead if your goal is export.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="11-market-and-opportunities-for-colombian-cardamom"&gt;11. Market and opportunities for Colombian cardamom
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;The international market shows demand in regions such as the Middle East, Europe, the US and other destinations; considering grain quality, colour and aroma are key factors for accessing value markets. Diversification (essential oils, extracts) and certifications can improve commercial positioning. These aspects and market data have been documented in sector primers and studies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="12-practical-step-by-step-summary-field-checklist"&gt;12. Practical step-by-step summary (field checklist)
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Establish a mother planting or nursery with healthy rhizomes.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Divide rhizomes ensuring 2+ buds and 1 live root per piece; recommended weight 100–200 g.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Seal cuts with ash or sulphur and cure for 24 h in the shade.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Apply treatment: warm water bath (50 °C for 10–15 min) or garlic and cinnamon infusion; biostimulant if available.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plant in beds or pots with loose substrate; partial shade and moderate irrigation.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Implement fertilisation based on soil analysis and prioritise organic fertilisers (bocashi, compost).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maintain hygiene in the nursery and plot; remove crop residues and disinfect tools.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Transplant when plants reach adequate vigour and the plot is prepared with good drainage and controlled shade.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h2 id="conclusion"&gt;Conclusion
&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;This document presents a practical, technical guide on &amp;ldquo;how to plant cardamom in Colombia step by step&amp;rdquo; focused on propagation from rhizomes, with protocols for division, disinfection, nursery management, organic fertilisation recommendations, irrigation, phytosanitary control and preparations for transplanting. The information cited comes from technical guides, theses and manuals that describe practices applied in the region and aimed at production with health and sustainability criteria.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If your goal is to produce for international markets, plan certifications, traceability and export logistics well in advance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Which aspect of crop establishment would you like to explore further for your farm: material selection, nursery management, or economic planning for export?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;div class="wp-block-quote"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the author&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Juan Pablo Toro López&lt;/strong&gt; is an Agro-industrial Engineer (Universidad La Gran Colombia) with more than 15 years of experience in the food production chain: production, food safety, process standardisation and export requirements. He has been an agro-industry lecturer at SENA and at universities such as Universidad Andina and Fundación Universitaria San Martín, and a digital marketing and sales consultant for companies in the sector.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://cardamomocolombia.com/autor/"&gt;View full author profile&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description></item></channel></rss>