hydroponic Bermuda grass
- To: "'m*@ucdavis.edu'"
- Subject: hydroponic Bermuda grass
- From: V* A*
- Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 10:44:09 -0400
Some time ago, I remember, during one of our recurring threads concerning
this weed, somebody asked where did Cynodon dactylon come from. Well,I can
answer now. Books say it is a Mediterranean grass, but I am able now to give
some more infos. When the Almighty, in His imperscrutable sense of humor,
decided to create the worst weed of the Universe, not only He thought he
would lure Americans into believing that it was a highly desirable turf
grass, thus giving us Europeans unending reasons to laugh... He also decided
that at the end of XX -beginning of XXI century, somewhere in Central Italy,
there would be a gardener who would need some lessons in the matter of
humility and patience, and so He settled the origin or primigene point, from
where bermuda grass spreads all over the world, HERE, in my garden. I am
positive about it, because here cynodon shows every possible mutation; it
grows horizontally, vertically, and every other fourth or fifth dimensions
you can imagine, it is immortal and powerful.
The reason for this slightly paranoid message is that I am just back from
the garden, where I witnessed the most incredible demonstration of
toughness, adaptation and power from this weed.
Let me explain. I have a pond, and all around it, despite my efforts,
Bermuda grows rampant, trying to smother all the marginal plants I
optimistically grow there. It is a never ending war, and very likely Bermuda
is going to win it. Having been out for a week, I set today to weed the pond
sides, and I found that Bermuda had sent its stolons into the water. Here,
far from rotting and dieing, these stolons kept growing (mind, UNDER water),
developing at each node healthy aquatic roots, you know, the kind of white
and fleshy roots you get when you root a cutting in water. The roots had not
managed to reach the muddy bottom, they just floated in the water; then they
sent young leaves towards the surface, so I actually had little bermuda
blades punctuating my pond. When I set to remove the stolons, I found some
that were 1,20 mt/ 4 ft long! I had never heard of this ability to become
aquatic, or really hydroponic, in cynodon. I was even half admiring this
immense strength from the dreadful weed, but I could not help thinking how
will I ever be able to stop it?
It was like seeing the Alien invasions, or something equally nightmare-ish.
Well, I had to share this with people who will, I am sure, understand my
frustration.
Thanks for reading it through!
Alessandra
