|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 2, 2014 17:40:03 GMT
I am sowing different grasses this year for the first time. Is there anything that I should watch - this is the first time for me and I wondered if there was anything I should be aware of??
Often the problem with sowing seeds is that the seedlings can get very leggy of course - I don't suppose it matters with grasses, does it??
I'm grateful for any tips.
RF
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Feb 2, 2014 18:32:45 GMT
All my grasses - hordeum (saved), miscanthus (GWD prize seeds) and 2 others I got from the RHS last year and I can't remember what they are, started off life on a sunny window sill Rosefriend and germinated and grew well. They have all (except the hordeum) been outside for the winter and I keep looking at them and thinking I must cut them back. I sow hordeum every year. Good luck - which ones are you trying? |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 2, 2014 18:39:26 GMT
All my grasses - hordeum (saved), miscanthus (GWD prize seeds) and 2 others I got from the RHS last year and I can't remember what they are, started off life on a sunny window sill Rosefriend and germinated and grew well. They have all (except the hordeum) been outside for the winter and I keep looking at them and thinking I must cut them back. I sow hordeum every year. Good luck - which ones are you trying? I would like to start now with them or is it too early?? I have the Hordeum that you gave me. Russian Grass from Tig that no-one knows the name of but looks pretty in her garden. Anemanthele Lessoniana which looks rather nice... Panicum Virgatum Thought I had 5 varieties but only 4 have just fallen into my sticky mitts!! RF |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Feb 2, 2014 18:48:56 GMT
I will check when I started sowing Rosefriend but I think it would have been mid-February. |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 2, 2014 18:50:14 GMT
I will check when I started sowing Rosefriend but I think it would have been mid-February. Thanks Jas - I'll wait until you tell me then.. RF |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 2, 2014 19:21:44 GMT
I've got a daft question Jasmine - do you "bunch" the seedlings together as you would Lobelia?? Surely the Hordeum, for example, can't get as bushy as it does in a few months, can it? RF |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Feb 2, 2014 19:26:22 GMT
No, I kept all the seedlings as singles Rosefriend - Hordeum does make those lovely tufts in a few months! |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 2, 2014 19:30:46 GMT
No, I kept all the seedlings as singles Rosefriend - Hordeum does make those lovely tufts in a few months! Blimey, then they do grow very quickly then...thanks a lot. RF |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Feb 2, 2014 19:32:33 GMT
Just checked my diary and I sowed the Hordeum and the Miscanthus on 20.02.13. Not sure about the 2 mystery grasses as there is no mention of them!
I grew stipa (the really tall one) a few years ago and they're planted out round the garden now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 2, 2014 19:40:53 GMT
Just checked my diary and I sowed the Hordeum and the Miscanthus on 20.02.13. Not sure about the 2 mystery grasses as there is no mention of them! I grew stipa (the really tall one) a few years ago and they're planted out round the garden now. Thanks Jas - Tig will know about her Russian grass and on the packets of the other 2 it says Feb to June on one and Feb to June and September to October on the other - both perennials. The Panicum is winter hard here - not sure on the Anemanthele as it says to plant out after frost... RF |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Feb 2, 2014 20:06:53 GMT
I have no idea on the Russian grass RF as it was bought as a 'plant' at an open garden last year. I would imagine it will germinate in similar conditions to most of the others, although originating from Russia it may need some chilling to set it off. Although thinking back, I think some of the seed that fell off the parent plant where it is growing did start to germinate last autumn - I will check tomorrow and see if they have survived all the cold and wet. The parent plant has gone into dormancy, it is a wait and see jobby as to whether it wakes up in spring or not!
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 2, 2014 20:12:34 GMT
I have no idea on the Russian grass RF as it was bought as a 'plant' at an open garden last year. I would imagine it will germinate in similar conditions to most of the others, although originating from Russia it may need some chilling to set it off. Although thinking back, I think some of the seed that fell off the parent plant where it is growing did start to germinate last autumn - I will check tomorrow and see if they have survived all the cold and wet. The parent plant has gone into dormancy, it is a wait and see jobby as to whether it wakes up in spring or not! I think it might be a good idea to keep these grasses in pots until I see how well they do...trouble is of course is that things in pots need more caring for over winter. Mind you Russian grass should be very hardy...it will be interesting to see what you find Tig. Rf |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Feb 3, 2014 10:51:13 GMT
I've had a look this morning RF - and there are signs of new growth on the original plant. There are also signs of grass seedlings in the vicinity, although they're too small to be able to tell what species of grass they are, I have a lot of grasses that self seed out the front  I reckon they will germinate quite easily. You have enough to try some indoors now, and also put a few in a pot outside and see what happens. |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Feb 3, 2014 11:21:40 GMT
I've had a look this morning RF - and there are signs of new growth on the original plant. There are also signs of grass seedlings in the vicinity, although they're too small to be able to tell what species of grass they are, I have a lot of grasses that self seed out the front I reckon they will germinate quite easily. You have enough to try some indoors now, and also put a few in a pot outside and see what happens. Sounds a good idea Tig - will have a go and see what happens...I take it I single out the seedlings as well?? RF |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Feb 3, 2014 15:10:43 GMT
I'm not sure RF, the parent plant formed a reasonable sized clump last year. As I couldn't find out their proper name (and the nursery in Scotland which originally collected them hadn't managed to identify it either) we are in uncharted waters with this one  |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jul 10, 2014 13:31:30 GMT
I have got 4 clumps of Russian grass out of the seeds that you sent me Tig - they have bulked up a fair bit - just a little floppy whereas I seem to remember yours were upright...or are they ok??  RF |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Jul 11, 2014 19:06:29 GMT
Sorry RF I missed your post. They look fine to me, I've got flowers on mine again now which are upright, but some of the leaves do droop a bit, they seem happiest when a bit dry, I've not watered mine at all, they are fending for themselves out in the front beds.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jul 12, 2014 11:30:11 GMT
Sorry RF I missed your post. They look fine to me, I've got flowers on mine again now which are upright, but some of the leaves do droop a bit, they seem happiest when a bit dry, I've not watered mine at all, they are fending for themselves out in the front beds. I think that I will try and keep them in those pots over the winter in the GH and then decide in Spring where to plant them - they should have better roots then.. RF |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Aug 5, 2014 5:59:26 GMT
How are your grasses doing Rosefriend? I am pulling wispy hordeum and hare's tail out of the borders all the time! Hope the briza we relocated does a bit of seeding about too! |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Aug 5, 2014 6:32:42 GMT
How are your grasses doing Rosefriend? I am pulling wispy hordeum and hare's tail out of the borders all the time! Hope the briza we relocated does a bit of seeding about too! I am getting an incredible collection of grasses actually and they certainly add character to a garden.. I am going to keep the Russian grasses in tubs - either a "3er" pot and one somewhere else or all together as I was talking to Olaf and he says that he refuses to sell these types of grasses as they are so invasive and seed everywhere.... Well, OK, but there are many many plants/flower etc etc that are very invasive and he still sells those so I am not sure why he feels this way about this type of grass...having said that I remember him telling me that he happily sells "difficult" plants to experienced gardeners but has to watch beginners who always buy just because something "looks nice" and haven't a clue and then get the garden full of seedlings of various sorts and go back and complain to him... I can see his point but actually this grass has a lovely seed head and structure...it definitely will have a place somewhere and I am content knowing that one of our bad winters won't croak it, as happens to so many things here!! RF |
|
I reckon they will germinate quite easily. You have enough to try some indoors now, and also put a few in a pot outside and see what happens.