Cyperus Papyrus

Hi all0)

Does anyone know where I can get a smallish specimen of one of these? The only one I can find is already big and costs £35, I would rather start small and grow it myself. I have seen some on ebay but they aren't papyrus they are "alternifolia" which is much smaller.

Val

 

Try growing it from seed, not sure, just give it a google.
Alternifolius is easy from seed but not tried papyrus, guessing its as easy.

Dont think it will stay small for long though, and unlike alternifolius its not hardy at all.

 

I was going to grow it in the conservatory. I tried growing it from seed - and I am usually quite good with seed growing, but I couldn't get even one of these to germinate!!! I too have grown alternifolius from seed and yes it is easy. Looks like it is going to cost me £35 then, perhaps that is why they are expensive because they are difficult to germinate!!!!:yez:

Val

 

I'd be inclined to try seed from at least a couple of different sources before deciding its difficult to germinate.
Its not the kind of seed that flies off the shelves of the run of the mill seed companies, and as such can be old seed.

Go for a smaller specialist or better still a foreign company where the plant is commonplace.

Just an idea

 

I am currently growing some from seed - I think my seed came from Chilterns. I had no trouble in germination - it starts off slowly and I keep them in a pot, which is sitting in water. Its growing quite fast now.

I would be very reluctant to pay a lot of money for one. From what I have seen on other forums they are very easy to grow from seed, but very difficult to overwinter. They like to be very wet in summer, and I believe (I am speaking from memory) they like to be dry in winter. I am not really anticipating that mine will survive this winer - though I will try my best.

 

Thanks for your help. Chilterns haven't got any. I found another site called Jungle Seeds and they had them :yho:but then noticed that they have a minimum order of £10!!:( found myself looking for other stuff just to make up the minimum order!!!! couldn't see anything else I really wanted so ordered a packet from Thompson & Morgan. Just have to hope it is fresh!!!! :skp:

Val

 

Gemini

My seeds must have come from Jungle Seeds, As I only bought seeds from Jungle seeds and Chiltern's at the start of the year.

 

Seeds arrived from T & M so I am trying it this way, found this on another forum and seems as good a way as any.


Re: Cyperus Papyrus from seed Di, The easiest way to germinate Papyrus seeds is to lay blotting paper or kitchen towel inside of a jam jar soak it with warm water and then tip the seeds onto it put on the lid and leave it on the window cill.

Sorry forgot to say lay it on its side when you put the paper in other wise its a mission to get it out when it germinates.

When it starts sprouting slide out the paper and just lay it ontop of the compost in your pot. The roots will soon grow through and into the soil and the paper rots away.

 

I used Cyperus papyrus in my 2008 Chelsea garden, Spana's Courtyard Refuge. The judges questioned whether it would grow in such conditions -the garden was based on a Moroccan courtyard. I pointed out that it was growing in pots, in water, and it acted as a view blocker as you looked into the garden, adding more depth.

As is usual at Chelsea, I got lots of really useful information from visitors including this gem: If you cut off the umbel at the top of of the stalk, turn it upside down and float it in water, a new plant will grow. I tried this and now have a nice clump growing in my wildlife pond at home! I haven't done anything else to it and it's survived two winters including last year's. Good luck with the seeds Gemini.:gnthb:

Chris

 

Hi Boghopper - lovely picture and most interesting. How old were your plants? Mine is only a 12 inches high from seed this year.

Do I gather that your plant spent last winter in the pond? You have given me hope that mine might survive under glass. I thought I read somewhere that they didn't like to be too wet overwinter - but I can't find that reference now.

However I found this slightly unhelpful piece "Cyperus Papyrus is not hardy enough to survive winters with freezing temperatures and it is not a candidate to overwinter inside"

 

Ours was about 180cm tall, it always stood in a pot with water in it, I never let it dry out. Unfortunately, while away for a couple of months last year, the neighbour thought it shouldn't be standing in water and .................. you guessed it, we lost it.

We had a smaller pot, clippings taken from the large one just as Boghopper was told to do (they always take) and we decided to leave it in the pond over winter, just to see if it would survive. Well, it didn't.

Re taking clippings from the top of the stalk, I found that ones that had flowered did the best, perhaps because of the seeds? The others would take as well, but were slower. I always trimmed the leaves back to about 2" from the stalk.

 

Boghopper Did your pond not freeze over last winter? In the picture of your Chelsea garden were those terracotta pots standing in water?

There doesn't seem to be any conclusive information about this plant, I think it must be one of those that survives if it just happens to like where it is which is a bit hit and miss to say the least.:skp:

I will keep you informed of seeds progress - if any!!!!

Val

 

Not sure how old it was when I first got it Peter as it came from a specialist nursery in the West Midlands. The terrracotta pots I used at the show were lined with a polythene bag so they held water. Yes, Gemini, the pond did freeze over last winter but I guess the Cyperus was below the ice.

I thought I had lost some of the plants but I've just popped out to have a look and take some pictures and quite a lot of it has survived, some under the Gunnera!

Chris

 

Thanks so much for all the info and pictures, I shall be watching my seeds now for signs of growth!!!!!!

Val

 

My seeds are starting to sprout!!!!!!!!!:yho::yho::yho: I can just see really tiny leaves inside the jar. I keep checking on them every 10 mins, making sure they are still there!!!!

Val