1.cultivate的基本意思是指对土地进行照料或调理以使其肥沃,也指对植物细心管理以改善其状况。引申可指对合意的东西进行细心周到的照顾以使其健康成长,常用于抽象事物,如“陶冶情操”“培养友谊”等。
2.cultivate作“种植”解,主语是人时不能用被动语态; 主语是事物时则要用被动语态,其后常接介词with。
3.cultivate作“与…结交”解时,指想方设法去结交某人,一般是出于不良的动机或试图巴结别人,常含有贬义。

cultivate with(v.+prep.)
用…耕种 use a tool or machine for growing crops on the land or soil
▲cultivate sth with sth
Farmers cultivate their farms with spade.农夫用锄耕田。
They cultivate their land with tractors.他们用拖拉机耕地。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
The land is cultivated with rice, cotton and vegetables.在这块土地上种植大米、棉花和蔬菜。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
The farmer is cultivating his land.农民在耕耘土地。
She cultivated her mind by reading many books.她博览群书,修身养性。
One should cultivate good manners from childhood.一个人从小要学讲礼貌。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
Corn and cotton are extensively cultivated in this region.这个地区普遍种植玉米和蔬菜。
Pearls are being cultivated on the South China Sea coast.南海沿岸在进行珍珠人工养殖。
This field has not been cultivated for years.这块土地已荒废多年了。

cultivate, cherish, foster, nurse, nurture
参见nurse条。