Miscanthus Gigantus....for bedding?

[Tree Spud]

I don't blame you. I think clusters would be great for a yard screen. A few thousand might hurt the pocket book.

Wish I had a small backhoe. I'd separate mine in quarters. A few by hand would be fine. But I could do a few thousand....and a glorified lawn tractor with a hoe would be nice.

Bill ... on your suggestion I went and purchased this ...
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326156_200326156?isSearch=256106

I have loamy sand soil and planted 150 rhizomes as a rest last year with an Earth Auger. Had at least a 90-95 success rate with many growing to 4'-5'. Some that failed I believe were actually dug out of the ground.

Purchased 2000 rhizomes from Maple Farms this year for next spring and the Middle Buster should make the job go alot quicker.

 

[Bill]

Bill ... on your suggestion I went and purchased this ...
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200326156_200326156?isSearch=256106

I have loamy sand soil and planted 150 rhizomes as a rest last year with an Earth Auger. Had at least a 90-95 success rate with many growing to 4'-5'. Some that failed I believe were actually dug out of the ground.

Purchased 2000 rhizomes from Maple Farms this year for next spring and the Middle Buster should make the job go alot quicker.

I don't know why but I had rabbits dig some of mine up one spring. I think they likes the loose soil for making a nest. None of the rhizomes were eaten just tossed aside.

My soil is heavy and wet in the spring often making it stick together. I eventually cut the sub soiler blade so it was narrower and it now makes a smaller width trench. Not a big deal unless you get big clumps using the wide blade. Sounds like that won't be an issue in your soil.

 

[chucker66]

There is a field full of this stuff near me. Is this MG?
Chuck

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[Bill]

There is a field full of this stuff near me. Is this MG?
Chuck

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Hard to tell from that far away but I'm going to say no. MG has a tight seed head more like pompous grass, that looks spread out like switch. To tall for switch though. Also MG would be browning down by now.

 

[Bill]

Ok I looked at that pic wrong. The blurry stuff in the back looks like trees now??? I screwed that up!

The stuff up front "does" look like MG but it's short. Maybe a new planting that hasn't reached maturity.

 

[Bill]

Look for the white racing stripe down the center of the leaf. It's really pronounced when the leaf is green.

 

[chucker66]

Sorry that pic was taken mid October in NW Wis. That stuff is 6' to 8' tall and it is just about 40 acres. Its the grass with the seed, the stuff right up front is weed. I drove by this place on the way to mine. I can try to get some better pics.
Chuck

 

[chucker66]

Found a closer pic.

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[chucker66]

I'm just curious because I want to plant some MG but am not sure how it will do this far north Zone 4 -3A??
Chuck

 

[Tree Spud]

I don't know why but I had rabbits dig some of mine up one spring. I think they likes the loose soil for making a nest. None of the rhizomes were eaten just tossed aside.

My soil is heavy and wet in the spring often making it stick together. I eventually cut the sub soiler blade so it was narrower and it now makes a smaller width trench. Not a big deal unless you get big clumps using the wide blade. Sounds like that won't be an issue in your soil.

I think the wabbits are my problem too. hole dug out, rhizome pulled out untouched.

How wet is your soil? I want to try some in a spot that is wet in spring (spongy and you will sink about 2-3" when walking on) but drys down to moist as the year moves on.

Was told MG does not like wet feet.

 

[Honker]

I'm just curious because I want to plant some MG but am not sure how it will do this far north Zone 4 -3A??
Chuck

I'm growing it in 4b and it has done pretty well. It's worth a shot. I've seen sources that it is hardy to zone 4.

It does not like wet feet, they will rot if submerged too long.

 

[Bill]

Found a closer pic.

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Chuck that's MG for sure and if that field is close to you it will grow for you.

 

[Bill]

I think the wabbits are my problem too. hole dug out, rhizome pulled out untouched.

How wet is your soil? I want to try some in a spot that is wet in spring (spongy and you will sink about 2-3" when walking on) but drys down to moist as the year moves on.

Was told MG does not like wet feet.

I have an area that holds spring water but drys out in the summer. Until it rains then it's wet again for days. Couldn't get it to grow there. I figured the rhizomes rotted. Maybe pot one and plant it after it drys up. See if once established it will make it through the next wet spring.

 

[chucker66]

Thanks Bill. Might have to call the owner and see if he will.let.me dig some up ;)

Chuck

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[Bill]

Thanks Bill. Might have to call the owner and see if he will.let.me dig some up ;)

Chuck

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If he lets you dig some be sure to bring a battery operated sawzall with a 12 inch wood blade. Separating rhizomes is no easy task. Digging a whole plant is nearly impossible without cutting it up first.

 

[hillrunner]

Trying to follow Bills method of planting I put this together today. Now we just need spring to arrive to see how well it works.

 

[Bill]

Trying to follow Bills method of planting I put this together today. Now we just need spring to arrive to see how well it works.

Spray the line you want to plant a head of time and that will make light work of the job.

 

[Mortenson]

Kinda pressed for time today, otherwise I'd do some digging on here.... but can anyone suggest a spray to hit my MG spots with? I shoveled them in, 3" deep, two days ago. Had some circles somewhat prepped. They were circles where young Norways had died. By now some broadleaves and grass are starting to fill in again, and since the rhizomes are in the ground, but probably not emerged yet, I don't want to get too chemical crazy. Anyone see a problem with some roundup and a glug of 24D? Just want to free up some competition on year 1.

 

[tynimiller]

Kinda pressed for time today, otherwise I'd do some digging on here.... but can anyone suggest a spray to hit my MG spots with? I shoveled them in, 3" deep, two days ago. Had some circles somewhat prepped. They were circles where young Norways had died. By now some broadleaves and grass are starting to fill in again, and since the rhizomes are in the ground, but probably not emerged yet, I don't want to get too chemical crazy. Anyone see a problem with some roundup and a glug of 24D? Just want to free up some competition on year 1.

Before emergence you can even hit with gly...once emerged I'm under the assumption broadleaf specific herbicides will work I'm not going to purposefully hit the MG however no matter.

 

[Mortenson]

Probably doesn't much matter. Less than 48 hours after I planted them, about 20% were already dug out of the ground. I'm just going to be known as the guy who has the nicest circles that nothing will grow in.