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Re: Lemon Grass and water?

On Sun, 27 Jul 1997, Cyndi Norman wrote:

> I bought a lemongrass plant and now I'm wondering what to do with it.  The
> latin name (I've learned that much!) is Cymbopogon citratus and it's not in
> the Sunset Western Garden book (perhaps in the latest edition?).  I haven't
> been able to find a *growing* entry for it anywhere.

I seem to recall seeing it in the latest Sunset. Anyway, it requires
substantial moisture.  It is very easy to tell when it needs water: the
leaves curl (lengthwise) into sort-of-punk-hairdo.  This means: water
immediately.  It is a clumping grass, under right conditions (humidity,
moist, fertile soil) easily growing to 4 feet tall.  Plant in
moisture-retaining loamy soil with lots of organic matter, (I always mix
in plenty of compost into the planting hole).  Ph neutral or slightly
acidic (6.5, maybe even 6) will do fine. 

When I lived in North Carolina (zone 7b, min temp 0F (rarely) 10F (now and
then), the winter survival ratio was about 50%, with the surviving clump
about 80% dead.  Whatever survived, always grew back just fine by
mid-summer.  I expect it should do just fine in CA; in fact, I have one
growing in a 3-gallon pot that made it through last winter with no
problems whatsoever.  Lack of humidity makes it look somewhat ratty. 

To be sure of winter survival, root some cuttings (it is trivial to do,
and with a bit of rooting hormone, nearly 100% guaranteed; make sure to
cut low enough, in the tough part of the stalk, about 1 inch below where
the bulbous base starts.).  My first lemon grass plant came from an
oriental grocery, except it went into the soil instead of into the chicken
soup :-).  Indoors, it survives standing water in the tray under the pot
without rotting. 
 
> The tag on the plant says to give it full sun.  The Brooklyn Botanic's
> "Oriental Herbs and Vegetables" says it's a perennial grass that clumps and
> grows to 18-24 inches.  The Ortho herb book says under growing: "not
> recommended."
   
I suppose this is because it has no significant pests, so Ortho won't be
able to sell you assorted toxic chemicals.  Just about the only creatures
that will devour it (other than humans) are cats (but they will demolish
the indoor plants, given half a chance). 
 
> My question is about water because that will determine where I plant it.
> Can I put it up front (southern exposure) in my drought-tolerate bed (with
> water to establish it of course).

Not likely to do very well.  At least a gallon of water every two days
would make it reasonably happy.  I would not count on it as an ornamental
in CA climate, though. 

>  Or do I need to plant it somewhere where
> it will get regular water?  Daily water like my veggies?  

Yup.

> Is there anything else I should know about it?  Soil type?  Is it invasive?

Not really invasive, but a single stem planted in the spring will grow
into a clump 1ft across the base by the end of summer (this is in NC,
though). 

KK
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