Our farm is in the center of the state of Michigan. This giant Miscanthus can be found growing all over the country. It has been used for years as an ornamental grass and many of our customers are buying it for that end use. Our soil conditions here consist of heavy soil (ie a bit of clay with the topsoil), which holds more water than light (sandy) soil and the miscanthus growth rate is excellent.
Hi, thanks for the video. I live in southern Michigan and would like to try Miscanthus for one of my deer sanctuary areas. What time of year do you recommend planting?
I ordered from you all this year and will order again next year. I ordered enough to see how well it would grow in zone6B . I have had great success and plan on expanding and planting a privacy fence line in the spring
I'm curious if you did not want a field of this giant grass and you live in town and you're trying to block of something you do not like ,could you possibly buy two or three plants and keep them under control?
Hi, Every year while stalks are growing up a 4inch rhizome spread is developing in the ground. Those will be your new stalks the next spring when they come up and show themselves. The opportunity every spring is to cut off the rhizome spread in the offending direction. You would have to do that every spring to control the growth that direction. If you do it all the way around the plant will not mature and give you any height or stalk accumulation for your screening needs. Do not cut down the dead stalks from the previous year because you will need those stalks to make it look thinker the next fall/winter when the leaves fall off. Thanks Don
So the cut Miscanthus would have a very low Nitrogen content, if I understand correctly. Is there a climbing legume that could be broadcast into the Miscanthus that would increase the Nitrogen for use as compost feedstock? Maybe some kind of vetch?
Hi. I have not thought of that idea. I guess it would depend on the age of the miscanthus because of canopy closeout. They older the miscanthus stand the less growth is possible close to the ground. On our older fields the weeds and grass are virtually non existent. It is a neat idea but because of the possibility of the vetch escaping the field, I am going to pass on it. After cutting the field in the spring, I have been able to spread manure quite easily. Thanks, Don.
The only plant that came to mind is amphicarpaea bracteata, it can grow in full shade, however N-fixation would probably be quite low. If you spaced the miscanthus out more, then look into Canavalia spp. (notably C. gladiata) however they will not be frost tolerant in USDA hardiness zones below 9b. Maybe Lathyrus spp. (L. odoratus, L. latifolius) could work too, they would attract pollinators as well, but then again why do you need pollination in a Miscanthus x giganteus field? Also once the Miscanthus closes the canopy eventually, the Lathyrus spp. would be starved of light. So again, the only species that seems to make sense is Amphicarpaea bracteata.
Hi Michael, The rhizomes stay about 6 inches deep but the roots go down a couple of feet. We have had people grow on leach field and it has been spectacular growth. Rather it messes with the interior of the interior of the leaches pipe. Thanks Don
Hi Lorraine, I have cut down miscanthus giganteus mid-season to a 2 foot height. The rest of the season it proceeded to grow new shoots out of every leaf knuckle down the stalk. There was 2 shoots per knuckle and they never got the chance to get above 6 inches before the first frost hit. Thanks, Don H.
The miscanthus rhizomes do not like "wet feet". It does not grow well in very wet or swampy conditions. The miscanthus has no nutritional value, it has never been used as a forage crop. It will not hurt them, its just useless for them. Thanks, Don@mapleriverfarms
You may cut down the previous years old stalks or let them accumulate to make it look thicker. The next years new growth will be heaviest on the outside circumference of the cluster. But there will always be some new growth on the inside also. Your choice on cutting it down each spring.
Yes we ship quite a few rhizomes to the pacific northwest. If the hedge row is thick enough or multiple rows it will help with a windshield. But a screen is still its best use. Thanks Don.
@@mapleriverfarms5129 Hey Don. I’m seriously interested. Do you have any success stories in south Mississippi zone 8b? My soil is clay or sandy loam with 5” good top soil. Thanks.
@@MyVisualRomance Hi. We have shipped rhizomes to Mississippi and know that he had great success the first year but have not been in contact since. There is no reason for me to believe that you will not have the same success in your environment. I believe the miscanthus will do better in a southern environment. Hope that helps. Thanks, Don.
@@MyVisualRomance Hi. Great to hear! We have rhizomes available every spring in April and May. Give us a call anytime to possibly set up a reservation. Thanks, Don. 989-743-4344
Hi! The miscanthus x giganteus is a sterile hybrid, therefore no seeds. Rhizome division is the only way to grow this tall grass. All the information is on Mapleriverfarms.com. Thanks, Don
Yes, we would be happy to sell you some rhizomes. Check out the website (www.mapleriverfarms.com) where you can fill out the order form. You will then be on the list for this spring's orders. Glad you enjoyed the video! It was fun to make.
