Miscanthus Giaganteus propagation from cuttings.

[dipper]

The rhizomes I bought were only about 2"s and I've got those good clumps since spring. That is exceptional soil I don't have on the land.
I'm thinking of digging them up next spring, planting my extras and starting over in the nursery.

 

[Bill]

Post pics if you do. I've never dug up a 1 year old but a 3 year old root system is a bear to get out of the ground.

 

[Jim Timber]

Mine were looking pretty done last week when I checked on them.

 

[OakSeeds]

My miscanthus has ended its growing season. It made it through a number of frosts, but it looks like 3 nights in a row in the upper 20's/low 30's finally zapped it for the year. I'm anxious to see if the new rhizomes I planted this year make it through the winter. The clumps that I brought from my old place have made it through two central MN winters, with last year being brutally cold....with any luck the new rhizomes are just as tough.

Help! I took two cuttings from some plants at a university; weeks later they let me cut 15-20 more and I made them longer than the first 2 (they were only 3-inchers). The original 2 cuttings have developed nice roots (they are still in a container of water) and the 15-20 cuttings are in water with no apparent roots. Since we are rapidly progressing into fall in central IL, I have no idea what to do with the starts that have roots (probably will stick them in soil and try to hold them over in the basement). I am thinking about wrapping the 15-20 no-root cuttings in wet paper towels and into a plastic bag with ventilation holes (like we do acorns) and placing them in the fridge. Is there any chance they would be viable next summer? It will be an interesting experiment.

 

[Bill]

Stu I bet they make it.

Oakseeds I'd bring the 15-20 little ones in and keep them under a grow light. Don't tell them it's winter until your ready.

 

[j-bird]

are any of you guys far enough along to be in a position to sell some? I am interested in getting some (to use as screens) but I would rather support you guys than someone off a website. It sounds like if a fella started off with a few he could essentially reproduce his own after a couple years. I am intersted in screening stand access, screening from the road and screenin a plot from an ag field and I like thaIcagetth height ina narrow row. My other option would be something like switchgrass and I think I will get better results with this stuff. How well does it stay upright in the snow?

 

[Bill]

are any of you guys far enough along to be in a position to sell some? I am interested in getting some (to use as screens) but I would rather support you guys than someone off a website. It sounds like if a fella started off with a few he could essentially reproduce his own after a couple years. I am intersted in screening stand access, screening from the road and screenin a plot from an ag field and I like thaIcagetth height ina narrow row. My other option would be something like switchgrass and I think I will get better results with this stuff. How well does it stay upright in the snow?

I'm not yet. Like you say, in a few years I'll have them coming out my ears. But right now I'm in that I between stage. I started with 10 and wanted to see what they would do so I wasted 3 years waiting. Last year I jumped in big.

How many are you looking for?

 

[dipper]

are any of you guys far enough along to be in a position to sell some? I am interested in getting some (to use as screens) but I would rather support you guys than someone off a website. It sounds like if a fella started off with a few he could essentially reproduce his own after a couple years. I am intersted in screening stand access, screening from the road and screenin a plot from an ag field and I like thaIcagetth height ina narrow row. My other option would be something like switchgrass and I think I will get better results with this stuff. How well does it stay upright in the snow?

This is what I did, from 50 rhizomes I got like 30 cuttings. Probably around a couple hundred rhizomes if I dig them up. I'd say your plan is the way to go. Ew can hold its own for a couple more years. You'll save a lot of $.

 

[j-bird]

I'm looking at starting with 100 or so. I saw a place on the web where 100 gets me a price break from $1.50 ea to $.70 ea. I figure I will start in smaller places where I know I can baby them better and then as they grow and increase I can then harvest cuttings/rhizomes of my own to spread it to where I need them. All told I will need several hundred - I'm not jumping into it that much right off the bat! I may get with smsmith and maybe pool an order when the time comes.

How does this stuff hold up in the snow? I really am looking for something that will provide a few feet of height even thru the winter (I don't get snow like you fellas in MN, but we do get some).

 

[scott44]

I'm looking at starting with 100 or so. I saw a place on the web where 100 gets me a price break from $1.50 ea to $.70 ea. I figure I will start in smaller places where I know I can baby them better and then as they grow and increase I can then harvest cuttings/rhizomes of my own to spread it to where I need them. All told I will need several hundred - I'm not jumping into it that much right off the bat! I may get with smsmith and maybe pool an order when the time comes.

How does this stuff hold up in the snow? I really am looking for something that will provide a few feet of height even thru the winter (I don't get snow like you fellas in MN, but we do get some).

I can't tell you how it holds up to the snow but hopefully I can get some pics this winter, I have some 2yr old that did ok this year.

Ewheat on the right miscanthus on the left



looking from the miscanthus side.

 

[homegrownbucks]

None of the joints I planted produced rhizomes, just rotted in the potting soil. Looks like making big cuttings and putting in water is the way to go.

 

[scott44]

I checked the small 1' cuttings the other day and none of them made it, when I planted them there were no visible roots coming out of the cuttings so I wasn't too hopeful. I tried to keep them watered and damp but it didn't seem to work. I will try this again next year to see if it matters when you take the cuttings and which joint works better.

 

[Bill]

Homegrown,
did you use the bottom joint?

Scott,
I wondered if those little 1 inchers would make it. Maybe the longer cuttings retain more moisture in the fiber of the stem helping them live.

Jbird,
A mature plant that grows in full sun will laugh snow off. The stems are like 1/4 to 1/2 inch bambo stakes. Once they die off in the fall they harden. Heavy ice and wind may break them off but in the 5 or 6 years I've been messing with this stuff I've always had to cut it off in the spring.

 

[Bill]

Scott,
I can't wait to see that wall of yours next year.

 

[scott44]

Scott,
I can't wait to see that wall of yours next year.

Thanks Bill! Me too, I think I might not have to plant the e-wheat next year, time will tell tho.

 

[homegrownbucks]

Homegrown,
did you use the bottom joint?

Scott,
I wondered if those little 1 inchers would make it. Maybe the longer cuttings retain more moisture in the fiber of the stem helping them live."

I did try the bottom joint and up from one plant, 4 total.

 

[bat man]

I planted some rhizomes on the edge of clover field and they grew but not as much as the ones in bare soil. Can I grab a 5 inch PVC pipe to protect the Miscan and spray 3 foot circles of clover with round up yet this fall?

 

[Bill]

I planted some rhizomes on the edge of clover field and they grew but not as much as the ones in bare soil. Can I grab a 5 inch PVC pipe to protect the Miscan and spray 3 foot circles of clover with round up yet this fall?

You can "But" check the area over very well before spraying. Late summer early fall they tend to send up new shoots. You should be good this late but look for little 1 - 2 inch shoots around the plant.

 

[Bill]

homegrown,
Next year try only the bottom joint and leave the second joint attached and out of the ground.

Batman,
A second thought is use 2-4 D, it will kill the clover and not phase the MG.

 

[bat man]

2 4 D sounds much easier…..and I am headed north-