Re: and Juncus was:carex - Do YOU prune?
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] and Juncus was:carex - Do YOU prune?
- From: M* T*
- Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 06:25:44 -0400
No, I don't cut mine back as a matter of course. The evergreen ones don't
appreciate butch haircuts. If winter is particularly hard and they look
ratty, I remove the ratty bits (tedious in the extreme). Only if they are
*really* ratty have I given them a haircut. Takes them a while to recover
from a crew cut. I have also been known to remove the flower stems as I am
not overly fond of them...also tedious, and only done if they really get on
my nerves. The only one I have that isn't totally evergreen is C. grayi
and that one I do cut back as most all the foliage turns brown in winter.
Juncus is one I don't grow, so I am not sure what would happen if you
whacked it back. I doubt that a haircut would actually cripple them as I
am sure they are cut back severely when divided for sale. Most plants can
stand the occasional whacking, even if they don't really like it. May take
them a season to recover their glory, but they do. Sometimes, that's
really the only option when they get too congested with dead foliage...esp.
if they are huge. If in serious doubt, and if possible, see if you can
remove the brown foliage and leave what isn't.
I use a pair of regular scissors for this kind of clean up (this is Carex
I'm talking about - might not work on Juncus). Unfortunately, you can't
just pull the dead leaves - they don't pull and if you tug hard , you end
up pulling off bits of the plant, which then need potting or
replanting....one way to propagate, I guess.
Anybody growing Juncus who knows what happens if you whack them back?
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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> From: kitt <kitt@KABOODLE.COM>
> Date: Thursday, October 21, 1999 5:20 AM
>
> Hi Marge,
>
> I share your enthusiasm for the carex clan. One question for you.
> Some of mine have been in place for three years with no maintenance
> other than adding compost from time to time, and they look great.
> Do you ever prune yours or cut them back?
> We've had very mild winters in our Zone 7 lately.
>
> Am considering cutting several huge clumps of blue juncus to ground
> this Spring as they've developed quite a bit of brown "foliage" over the
> last few years. Would hate to do so if it will cripple them though.
> As always, your input is much appreciated.
>
> @. .@ kitt@kaboodle.com
> (\- -/) Scenic Calhoun Georgia USA...
> (.>__<.) .....it's not near anything
> ^^^ ^^^
> He who can laugh at himself has an endless source of amusement
