Mine just went through the same thing after a couple of big thunderstorms. Except for a couple of stalks that were permanently bent, they are now all upright and swaying in the breeze after drying out. This is my second year with grasses and I'm really enjoying them; due to a new drywell system last year that tore up my yard, this is the first time I've had full sun beds and planted them with several ornamental grasses. I can't believe how big they've gotten in only one year, especially the Karl Foresters.

Thanks !!! I was hoping for that answer. Mine have gotten remarkably bigger in their second season as well.
With more rain predicted, I think i'll leave them bundled until later in the week, just to help them along.

I've had the same problem this year, not only with the Karl Foersters but with Deschampsia cespitosa as well. I stalked all of them to help them regain their upright stance. After a couple of days, the Deschampsia could do without stalking. The Karl Foersters however never fully recovered from the damage that the rain had caused and are still bending more than they normally do.

Let's see. I think this is the 3rd year of my KF. I was kinda bummed when parts of my KF went "lax" in the heavy rains. Especially the first couple years. Now that they have matured, they seem to be doing much better---though, most of the plant has always seemed to bounce back. Undoubtedly, there is a few stray stems from some earlier heavy rains and wind, but, I just clean them up a little when I am out in the yard working. I thoroughly enjoy my KF---mine have gotten a bit taller this year. In the first couple of years, they seem to stay even with the joe-pye-weed ('Gateway'). This year they have passed 'Gateway'---for the time being.

Hey there Jake, been real busy as I see you have been as well.
Well after all the flooding and rain, they seem to have responded nicely. I did have to trim them up some because of broken fronds, and they seem to billow outward a bit more than prior to the rains, but the fronds are still that soft mauve color. I would assume when they turn that buff color they will become more rigid and stand straighter. Some drier weather is predicted for the rest of the week so hopefully htis will help. Kinda makes me feel a bit self centered worrying about these grasses, when many families around here lost everything in the floods. In my 49 years of living here, I have NEVER seen things as bad as this was.

B57 -

wouldn't it be nice if your area could pipe the excess waters to the Great Plains area ?? We've been in some form of drought for several years now.

In most cases a real bad drought.

Good to read you're doing well regardless of the weather.

Jake

I have the same issue with my Karl Forrester‘s… If you catch it early enough, put on a rain jacket and gloves and just start ‘slapping’ the heads and lightly shaking the stocks to remove the excess water. They will immediately start standing up again. The key to the success is catching it early and if the rains keep coming will need to do this numerous times… Not a perfect solution but there such beautiful plants it’s worth the extra effort.

Some of my KF is drooping but we havent had much rain to mention. is there another reason why they are drooping?