Clove

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 1,120 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 3,950 mm it can use in a normal year, and 3,310 mm in a dry year.

Heavy rain here can waterlog it. Grow it on raised beds or land that drains well.

Temperature

Grows best at 20–30 °C on average, and survives 20–35 °C.

Here, in its growing months (day / night):

• Jun 24 °C / 18 °C
• Jul 24 °C / 18 °C
• Aug 24 °C / 18 °C
• Sep 24 °C / 17 °C
• Oct 23 °C / 15 °C (outside its best range)
• Nov 20 °C / 11 °C (outside its best range)
• Dec 17 °C / 7 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 16 °C / 6 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 18 °C / 8 °C (outside its best range)
• Mar 22 °C / 11 °C (outside its best range)
• Apr 23 °C / 14 °C (outside its best range)
• May 24 °C / 15 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 24 °C / 18 °C

Nights in January can bring frost. When frost is forecast, water the field lightly in the evening.

Soil

Soil for Clove: 7 out of 10 (okay).

• Soil here is often more alkaline than it likes.
• Many fields here are short of potassium, which it needs a lot.
• Most fields here are short of nitrogen.
• Most fields here are short of boron.

Likes pH 4.0–5.6.

Money

Yield: about 2.5 quintals an acre, the typical figure across India (no figures for your state).

A new planting gives its first real harvest after about 7 years. The money here is for plants already bearing.

No mandi or support price for this crop yet.