Seeding Ornamental Grasses

I have a few grasses that I am trying this year from seed. What is your recommendation of # of seeds per cell (2") for a nice clump?

Laguras ovatus Hare's Tail
Isolepis Live Wire I. cernua
Millet Purple Millet
Panicum Frosted Explosion, P. elegans Panic Grass
Stipa Ponytails, Nassella tenuissima

Great question, I'll be trying pampas this year and didnt know you should plant in clumps. I think the pack I ordered has 50 seeds. I would have planted 1 seed per cell LOL.....
Christine

ugh oh. I transplanted 1 germinated seed into each 2x2 pot. The plants have 7-8 four to six inch blades each. Should I have planted several per container? I haven't grown ornamental grass from seed before. Is it 'customary' to grow several seeds together as a clump? Stacey

Three years ago I bought seeds from Parks to start the ornamental grass, Miscanthus sinensis. I started the seeds in flats sowing in rows. Once up, I thinned them out to give more growing room to the others. Once they were transplanting size, I planted each in a 3" pot. I didn't put more than one in a pot because I think that plants grow better if given their own space. In general, grass once it starts to grow, it really grows. Grass plants are greedy feeders with an extensive root system.

Now, 3 years later, that clump is large. I have already divided it once to give to my daughter and will do so again this spring.

Here is a photo of one of the plants I grew. That clump is one plant.



This message was edited Feb 25, 2009 2:53 AM

Thanks Blomma. My grasses (Lindheimer Muhly) seem to be growing pretty fast so I'll bet that they will fill in very nicely by the end of the summer.

clump does not mean to put lots of seeds it is describing the look of the adult plant if you put more than a couple of seeds in a pot they will feed of each other and none will be very healthy the way blomma did it is the right way
my sister tried for two years to grow pampas pink and hers all died since she put a lot of seeds in a 6 inch pot and transplanted at about six inches in two months the plants died for lack of space and water

scicciarella
You're right on target. I will add that it is best to transplant individual seedlings to a 2", no larger than 3" pot the first time. As they grow, move them to a larger pot. This way, it prevents overwatering and rotting of roots.

Sure wish I could grow the Pampas in WY. They are beautiful. I saw them when I lived in Arizona for awhile.

I cant wait to get my seeds planted, at least now I know how to do it right. Thanks for the advice, I'm glad Joannabanna asked :>)
Christine

I grow most of my plants from seed to cheap to buy the plants
I save the money for things like a wisteria or a mock orange bush or like last year a japanese maple those take forever to grow from seed so I will spend the money on getting plants that are 5 or more years old to get some instant gratification
I even grow vegi seeds