Overview#
The Configurable Cane Mod (internally known as ConfigurableReeds) is a specialized utility designed to bypass the hardcoded limitations of vertical-growing plants in Minecraft. In the vanilla game, Sugar Cane and Cactus are restricted to a maximum natural growth height of three blocks. This mod provides a comprehensive configuration system to adjust these limits, change growth logic, and even implement aging mechanics similar to Kelp.
As of version 3.0.0 and later, the mod has been redesigned to be server-only. This means it only needs to be installed on the server (or in the mods folder for single-player worlds) and does not require clients to have the mod installed to join, making it highly compatible for public servers and modpacks.
Mechanics#
The mod modifies the random tick behavior of specific plant blocks. It offers two primary growth modes that can be toggled via the configuration file:
Vanilla Growth Logic
In this mode, the mod retains the standard Minecraft growth check but replaces the hardcoded height limit. When a random tick occurs, the plant checks how many blocks of the same type are below it. If the count is less than the configured max_height, it continues to grow. This is the most seamless experience for players familiar with classic mechanics.
Kelp-Like Growth Logic
Introduced to mimic the behavior of Kelp (added in Minecraft), this mode uses an "age" property. Each time the plant grows a new segment, the top block is assigned an age value. Once the age reaches a certain threshold or the plant reaches its maximum height, it stops growing naturally. This allows for more randomized heights across a farm, as some stalks may stop growing earlier than others based on their initial age value.
Affected Blocks#
The mod specifically targets two vanilla blocks, allowing them to exceed their natural 3-block limit.
Sugar Cane
Sugar Cane typically requires a block of water (source or flowing) immediately adjacent to the dirt, grass, sand, or red sand it is planted on. With this mod, players can create massive plantations that tower into the sky.
| Property | Vanilla Limit | Modded Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Max Height | 3 Blocks | Configurable (up to 255+) |
| Growth Type | Random Tick | Vanilla or Kelp-like |
| Placement | Adjacent to Water | Unchanged |
Cactus
Cactus growth is notoriously difficult to manage in vanilla due to its 3-block cap. This mod allows for the creation of massive desert pillars. Note that the vanilla placement rules (no solid blocks adjacent to the cactus) still apply, meaning if a cactus grows into a space next to a solid block, it will still break.
| Property | Vanilla Limit | Modded Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Max Height | 3 Blocks | Configurable (up to 255+) |
| Growth Type | Random Tick | Vanilla or Kelp-like |
| Placement | Sand/Red Sand | Unchanged |
Configuration#
The mod's behavior is controlled through a configuration file, typically located in the /config folder of your Minecraft instance. The file is named configurablereeds-common.toml (or similar depending on the loader version).
Configuration Options
| Key | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
sugar_cane_max_height |
Integer | 3 | Sets the maximum number of blocks high Sugar Cane can grow. |
cactus_max_height |
Integer | 3 | Sets the maximum number of blocks high Cactus can grow. |
sugar_cane_growth_type |
String | "vanilla" | Choose between "vanilla" or "kelp" growth logic for Sugar Cane. |
cactus_growth_type |
String | "vanilla" | Choose between "vanilla" or "kelp" growth logic for Cactus. |
sugar_cane_max_age |
Integer | 15 | If using kelp-like growth, this defines the maximum age value before growth stops. |
cactus_max_age |
Integer | 15 | If using kelp-like growth, this defines the maximum age value before growth stops. |
Applying Changes
For most versions, changes to the configuration file require a server restart to take effect. If using a mod like Configured, some settings may be adjustable via an in-game GUI menu, though server-side settings always take precedence.
Technical Details#
Compatibility
- Server-Side: The mod is fully functional when installed only on the server. Clients do not need the mod to see the tall plants or interact with them.
- Modded Plants: This mod specifically targets the vanilla
SugarCaneBlockandCactusBlockclasses. It may not affect plants added by other mods (like Bamboo or modded reeds) unless those mods explicitly extend the vanilla classes. - World Height: While the mod allows for very high values, setting the height beyond the world's build limit (320 in 1.20.1) will result in the plants stopping at the ceiling.
