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differentiating my m.adagio from m.morning light

Posted by julescap z6 NE (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 5, 09 at 8:41

planted these 2 yrs ago.They've just survived their 2nd winter here (I hope). Never had any trouble before,but this spring i'm having a brain cramp about which is which!!Also I'm in kind of a panic because one of them,(i think morning light,but not sure) seems to be possibly rotting in the center.I just pulled handfuls of old growth out of center...came out very easy,like pulling out old canes from daylillies!


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RE: differentiating my m.adagio from m.morning light

  • Posted by donn_ 7a, GSB, LI, NY (My Page) on
    Sun, Apr 5, 09 at 10:01

'Adagio' has a solid green leaf. 'Morning Light' has a green leaf with a white mid-rib.

It's common for Miscanthus to die out in the center, although it usually takes longer than 2 years. How old was the plant when installed?

A way to delay this process is to clean out the center of the crown every time you give it a haircut. The center of a grass crown can be a real trap for leaves and other detritus. It collects in there, and holds moisture. Couple this with lack of air movement, and you have a perfect environment for rotting. When I cut back my grasses, I use a pair of 12" tweezers to methodically clean out all the gunk in there.

If the center of the crown has died out, you'll know when the grass starts to grow back in. If this is the case, and it's bad enough to detract from appearance, simply divide the plant, saving the perimeter, which is newer growth, and abandon the dead/dying center.


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edit...

  • Posted by donn_ 7a, GSB, LI, NY (My Page) on
    Sun, Apr 5, 09 at 10:19

"'Morning Light' has a green leaf with a white mid-rib."

Add "and margin" to the end of that sentence.


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RE: differentiating my m.adagio from m.morning light

Center die out can be worse after winters where the temps really yo-yo alot. Be sure to rake out the clump of any debris after cutting back. Once I've cut a miscanthus down to a few inches, I'll take a stiff metal rake and really scrape through it...it won't hurt the grass a bit.


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