Growing Spider Plant (Saga) in Tharaka Nithi

Soil suitability analysis based on Tharaka Nithi's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes, with the right inputs — Tharaka Nithi is moderately suited to Spider Plant (Saga). Tharaka Nithi's soil (pH 4.99, strongly acidic) gives Spider Plant (Saga) a suitability score of 69/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Tharaka Nithi County is a solid choice for Spider Plant (Saga), with a soil-match score of 69/100. At an average pH of 4.99 the soil is strongly acidic, below Spider Plant (Saga)'s preferred 5.8–7 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.23 g/kg), phosphorus (19.6 mg/kg) and potassium (211 mg/kg) all meet Spider Plant (Saga)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Spider Plant (Saga), which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Spider Plant (Saga) is the #22 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Tharaka Nithi County. Spider Plant (Saga)'s full potential is about 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 250,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Tharaka Nithi's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,313 kg/acre (~KES 215,650/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

69Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTharaka Nithi soilSpider Plant (Saga) needsStatus
pH4.995.87Adjust
Nitrogen1.23 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus19.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium211 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall900 mm600–1,400 mmOK
Altitude1,100 m0–2,200 mOK

Planting calendar for Tharaka Nithi

Long Rains· MarchMayMain season here

March
Direct Sowing & Basal
April
Thinning & Top Dressing
May
Continuous Harvest

Short Rains· OctoberDecember

October
Direct Sowing & Basal
November
Thinning & Top Dressing
December
Continuous Harvest

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Week 2 and after each harvest
Instruction
Fast indigenous vegetable — top-dress after cutting for vigorous regrowth.
Bags per acre in Tharaka Nithi
0.250.3

Tharaka Nithi's nitrogen (1.23 g/kg) already meets Spider Plant (Saga)'s 1.2 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.

Economics

Market priceKES 50/kg
Expected yield in Tharaka Nithi4,313 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 215,650/acre
Adjusted for Tharaka Nithi's 69/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Spider Plant (Saga) can reach 5,000 kg/acre (~KES 250,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag