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porcupine grass - please help!
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Posted by jamit30 4 Minneapolis (My Page) on Sat, May 14, 05 at 10:08
| I planted porcupine grass 2 years ago/ Last year only a couple of blades came back. This year they are coming up ALL OVER! What do I do?
HELP - please! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: porcupine grass - please help!
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Sat, May 14, 05 at 13:20
| What do you want to do? You have several options. If you want to be rid of it, dig them up and throw them away. After doing this for a while, you should kill it. If you want to cultivate it, and the volunteers are spread out, try transplanting them together. I'm surprised that it's self-propagating in your zone. Are you sure it's Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus?' |
RE: porcupine grass, M.s. 'Strictus'
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Sat, May 14, 05 at 13:44
| Jami...can't tell from the pic you emailed. This is what 'Strictus' looks like: 
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RE: porcupine grass may be spartea..
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Sat, May 14, 05 at 14:15
| It just dawned on me that "Porcupinegrass" or "Porcupine Grass" is a regional common name for Hesperostipa spartea (AKA Stipa spartea), or "Needlegrass" which is a prairie grass that is indigenous to your state. It looks like this: 
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RE: porcupine grass - please help!
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| That is what I planted 2 years ago. Then last summer only a few blades came back. I now know it's NOT my porcupine grass. BUT I can't remember what grass I planted. I have tried to dig up the blades that are sprouting - but the root system is incredible. I have blades coming up in my lawn. How do I control it? |
silverish grass
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| The strictus is what I planted 2 years ago. Actually what is spreading looks more silverish and does not have the stripes and get's to be around 3-4 feet tall. I'm sure the porcupine grass won't come back at all this year. I'm thinking (now looking up maitenance on the internet) that I did not allow enough space for this grass that's spreading. Do you think I should make my bed bigger and move the other grass around it? I'd paste a picture on but my computer won't let me. |
RE: porcupine grass - please help!
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Sat, May 14, 05 at 15:07
| Is the grass spreading by rhizome, or self-seeding? How far away from the parent plant, are the volunteers? |
I believe rhizome
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| I believe rhizome. Some are about 2 to 3 feet away. |
RE: porcupine grass - please help!
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Sat, May 14, 05 at 16:33
| I would root prune the parent plant, a couple of times a year. The first time will be the most difficult. Take a sharp spade, seriously sharp, and insert it into the ground, straight down, in a continuous circle around the plant, as far out as you want to allow volunteers to grow. Go down at least 12", more if possible. This will cut the rhizomes, and should prevent any new shoots outside the circle. If it's self-seeding, you need to cut off the seedheads before they can set seed. |
Thank you!
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| This REALLY helps me! I will try this! Then should I dig up the others or will they die on their own? Thank you again for your time and help -I appreciate it! jami |
RE: porcupine grass - please help!
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Sat, May 14, 05 at 17:07
| Jami...if you don't want to dig up the escapees, just cut them off at ground level, as many times as necessary. Eventually, it should croak. |
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