i have pampas grass in a container:
do i bring it in?
leave it out?
do i divide it now?
divide in spring?
how to care for during the cold??
Pampas Grass in container; care for the winter? divide now?
Oh I love this grass! Is it true it's somewhat sharp so you need gloves when cutting it back?
tir...am i suppossed to cut it back now?? what about dividing it?? should i plant it in the ground? should i take it in?
Sorry Sticks,
I shouldn't have invaded your thread. I'm new to learning my plants myself and am just fond of the beauty of this grass. I don't know much about it. Have you checked plant files?
Edited to post: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/86995/
Perhaps if no answers come in you can dmail Ursula, she's the only one to post a comment in plantfiles for it. I wonder why it doesn't have a hardiness zone listed? Hopefully someone can clarify that for as well.
This message was edited Sep 22, 2006 6:45 PM
no interference at all...just last minute panic about my stuff......goin to roundtop next week and gotta get them all in b4 that.....
Sticks, is it the C. selloana? If it's just plain Pampa Grass, it's hardy to zone 7. I would leave it in the pot, because it can get HUGE!
When I first moved here, I loved them and planted one. It grew so fast and I had a heck of a time digging it out, the blades arevery sharp.
fly...not sure what it is.....; should i continue to water during the winter?? do i cut it back??
Roundtop? Did someone say Roundtop? : ] To buy or to sell or to ???? I am jealous!
Sticks, I think your pampas should do ok for now. The locals here cut in late winter and burn. It comes back with a vengance. Has yours bloomed? It can't be the same plant that is in ground that becomes such a monster that you are keeping potted?
oh pod....don't you just love roundtop...i should have known you could smell out this thread when i say ....junque.... anyone with blue bidet....i am going to buy buy buy buy.....; my gf and i go every 6 months but we haven't been in a year cause we were both busy with life....imagine that?? member i am the antique store owner....but yess....going there to chill and shop
it has one bloom right now......are you saying that i need to plant the thing?? and/or it will not become the plant it is meant to be??..
Oh, do have fun for me...
I think, if you get tired of tending to the pampas, I would plop it in the ground. Cold weather won't hurt it. It is an evergreen. Just give it room to grow. They become huge. The books warn of the bloom seeding itself freely so you may have more than intended. Around here they cut them back late winter just like the aspidistra (cast iron plant).
hey pod...you think i should divide it now ? maybe i should cut off the bloom??
Don't cut the plume, that's what's pretty about the plant. You may want to divide it to keep it small.
how will i water it during the winter?? (so sorry) never grown these gurls....
Sticks, I don't think you could kill it that easy, just water when it's dry, it'll be fine. You could show a pic of it so we know exactly which pampas it is.
Sticks, Tir_Na_Nog asked me to see if I can help you with this.
The only information I have is for Cortadeira rudiuscula, our native species of Pampas Grass.
I have seen them (and taken pictures) on the way to our ski resorts, where they get snow during winter. Now how hardy they are ... I cannot tell because we do not have those hardiness divisions here.
My reference book says the best time to divide a plant is during Fall.
Since you are going to divide your plant, why don't you keep one of the divisions inside and leave another outdoors during winter. If you plant them in the ground, I would say cut them back to approx. 1 foot and cover the plant with straw. If you decide to plant the new outdoors division in a container as well, I suggest you wrap the container in canvas to protect the root from cold.
Keep watering the one you take indoors. The one outdoors should get whatever rain/snow you have.
Be very careful on handling them, since the leaves are sharp as a razor blade.
Good luck!
Ursula
Hey Sticks....does the early shopping at Round Top start about mid-week...like it has in the past?
Be leary putting it in the ground....just make sure you want it there forever. I've just spent 2 years killing one. It can be done but it was a real challenge....and digging them out once they are established, requires a backhoe or dynamite.
lol DMJ, thanks for that tip!
We had them at my parents but I stopped growing them when I found out Texas says it's an invasive plant cuz it's clogging up the waterways.
What I have seen... wait until first freeze and then cut down to about 2 feet. cover mulch/straw and it comes back better the next year.
renate,
Thanks for sharing info on invasiveness. I had no idea and would have included it in a larger landscape in the future!
willis....early shopping(VBG) what early shopping...that NEVER happens.....ahem; maybe once....; but seriously we go on monday and start shopping then....so yes, it begins EARLY...but not EARLY enuf for me!!!!
ursula....thanks for those tips....
to all i appreciate your information....here i am worried about it living and all of you are saying....HEY IT WILL LIVE ....whether you want it to or not!!!!! so i hope it lives....i really like it:)
What's round top?
A great town in Texas. =)
Sticks - LOL - oh yeah,...I don't know what I was thinkin'.... :~)
We've always gone a couple of days early since so many dealers start setting up early....especially those with LARGE spreads!
Fly-girl - there's an annual Antiques/Collectibles/Junk/Rummage Sale held in the Round Top - Warrington area this time of the year....and I think it's held in early spring too...so twice a year,.. if I'm not mistaken. I'm talkin' about MILES of
area to examine...with everything imaginable....including plants! :~)
That sounds fun!
I think it technically starts next weekend - Sticks can probably specify the exact dates. I'm not sure
OH YEAH STARTS next tues !!!! it is miles miles of miles and miles of stuff; we spend 2 days there and dont see 1/4 of it..... so much fun if you love looking at junque!!!