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Re: Ornamental grasses from seed

Monisha,

I have not purposely grown Miscanthus sinensis, but as I have a number of
plants, I have ended up with self sown seedlings.  It takes at least 2
seasons for them to get to be plants you notice from seed.  It will take
about 3 years for you to have a  plant really suitable for placing in the
border.  After this, they will grow substantial quite quickly.  I know this
because I have a couple of clumps that resulted from overlooking a
self-sown seedling for a couple of years and now it's going to be a job to
move the plants!  So, in answer to your question, yes, it is unrealistic to
expect full size plants next year.

They do not like to be planted in fall (or divided) in climates with a cold
winter....much better to sow the seed and wait to plant out until next
spring.  I am not certain about this, but they may even require a cold
period to germinate.  Someone else may know whether this is true.  The
first season after germination, you will have a plant with two or three
leaves that will get about a foot tall - very wispy and easy to miss.   If
it were I, I'd sow the seed and leave the pots out all winter if they don't
germinate immediately.  If they do germinate quickly, I would either line
them out in a nursery plot or pot them up and keep them in a cold frame or
cool greenhouse over winter.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
http://www.suite101.com

----------
> From: Monisha Ghosh <mgh@philabs.research.philips.com>
> Date: Friday, June 27, 1997 10:18 AM
> 
> 
> 
> I love the vertical look of tall grasses at the back of pereenial beds 
> and would like to grow some from seed. Parks has Miscanthus Sinensis
seeds.
> Has anyone grown this grass from seed? How long does it take to attain
> full height? I am planning to start them from seed this summer for
> transplanting in fall and hope to have them at full height for next year.
> Is this unrealistic? Thanks for any help. BTW, I'm in Zone 6, NY.
> 
> Monisha
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