Umbrella Grass.

Hi folks. Last year I bought Umbrella Grass (Cyperus Alternafolius) supplied in a 10" pot (which it's still in). At the moment it's still dormant and I was wondering, would now be a good time to divide it up ? I was hoping I could get maybe 3 plants from it ? Also, how far apart should I plant them to form a clump ? With thanks...freddy.

 

Looked it up Freddy, pretty. Zone 9-10 only for pots over here. Enjoy them. Hope they work for you.
In the google pictures I saw, it shows clumps of them, and then an under planting.

 

Are you growing this in a pond Freddy or the ground?

I'd wait until you can see the new shoots coming and then tear it apart each with a new growing point.

You can increase it by cutting off the top part and pegging it down in a pot of mud in the summer, I think.
Its a long time since I've done that, might give it another go this year.

Sorry just realised, you said its still in a 10in pot, so disregard my first line.

 

The information I have, is that it is really C.involucratus, which, in this country, is a frost tender houseplant.:gnthb:

 

It wasn't sold as a houseplant ? Actually, having just checked it out again, what I MIGHT have IS Cyperus involucratus. Thing is, there was no label in the pot when I bought it, the guy just said it was Umbrella Grass. As is the way with most grasses, I'd assumed it was hardy. Ah well, just have to wait and see. Cheers...freddy.

 

Enjoy it as a houseplant, Freddy.:thumb:

 

Well Dai, if it's a houseplant, it's long-since dead. :(

 

I hope you`ll give it a decent burial, then, Fred.

 

So, what the difference between Involucratus and alternifolius.

The one I have seems ok in the garden and was fine in the pond, in fact it got out of hand and thats why its been in the garden for the last 10yrs or so, the dryer soil seems to slow it down.

I'm assuming its still alive after this winter, but its not a house plant.

 

Hi pete. I must say that it doesn't have the appearance of a houseplant. I know it's generally regarded as a pond plant, which came as some surprise considering it was sold in a pot, but I read that it will also grow in the garden ok. I don't think I'll bury it JUST yet Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi Freddy. I brought the Cyperus Invoucratus home that I'd used at Chelsea last year and stuck it in the pond. It did really well, is looking healthy and I expect it to be even better this year. It's supposed to be half-hardy so I would imagine it will be fine in Bristol.
Incidentally, If you cut off one of the umbrella spoke tops and put it upside down in a dish of water it will grow a new plant. Not a lot of people know that.:dh:(Well they will now!) :thmb:

 

Hi Boghopper. If it's half-hardy, I don't rate it's chances much as we had temperatures as low as -10c or so back in that cold spell here in Bristol. I've given it a tidy-up and put it in my cold greenhouse to see what happens. Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi Freddy, I have one in my tropical border last year and i cut a stem off in autumn placed leaf down in water (as you do) but it didnt take :( BUT i noticed new shoots coming up in my border Yay.. I think pete and David are Right, it can be treated as a house or garden plant ..

 

Hi Dee. That's where I planned on planting mine, in the tropical area. Pete AND David right ? Very diplomatic ! :D

 

According to " Garden Grasses, Rushes and Sedges " by Trevor Wood, they are " frost tender house plants, from Africa ".