Pampas grass snapped off: how to save it

The imposing pampas grass, which comes from South America, enchants from late summer with its lush, feather-like, silvery-white, golden yellow or pale pink flower panicles, which can be up to three meters high. The fronds of the pampas grass can snap off quickly. Then what to do?

Pampas grass quite robust

The pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) actually has good stability. Without problems weigh up to three meter high plumes gently back and forth in the wind. It is also extremely fast-growing, easy to care for and robust. However, the pampas grass can sometimes snap off. There are various reasons for this:

• wrong location
• insufficient fertilization
• no watering
• Pruning error

In order to correct the corresponding errors, the causes of the pampas grass snapping off must first be clarified. More on that later.

First aid

Bent sheets can be easily removed. They grow back. It is a pity when the imposing frond are twisted. In late autumn, these can also be cut off and used as vase decorations.

If the fronds are still young and have only been expelled, an attempt can be made to save them. To do this, it is necessary to reconnect the breaking point on freshly nodded shoots. The following materials are required for this:

• Adhesive tape, eco-friendly, about 30 cm long
• Chopsticks, pencil or smaller wooden sticks
• Scissors or cutter knife

method

• Cut "rails" to the appropriate length
• remove loose parts from the affected shoot
• restore the original position of the drive
• attach rails on both sides
• fix with tape
• not too tight, but not too loose either

Now patience is required. The breaking point can be observed. With luck, this can heal. Then it is possible to supply the shoot with nutrients and water again.

A notice:Pampas grass is hardy. To protect against icy winds and moisture, the leaves are tied up and wrapped in a fleece or jute sack. The shoot base is protected with brushwood branches.

preventive measures

Buckling of flower fronds can have various causes. Already when planting pampas grass care must be taken to ensure that the demands of the grass in terms of location and care are taken into account. Then nothing stands in the way of good growth and the formation of many healthy flower fronds.

Right choice of location

The grass needs a sunny spot that is also sheltered from the wind. Then the long stalks cannot bend over so quickly in the wind. The floor should have the following properties:

• rich in humus and nutrients
• deep, loose and sandy
• good water permeability
• loosen solid soil with sand or pebbles

Sufficient watering

The root ball must never dry out. During the growing season, the pampas grass needs regular watering:

• always water around the plant
• never in the middle of the plant
• Absolutely avoid waterlogging

A notice: Long periods of drought and no additional watering can be the reason if the grass no longer develops flower fronds or if these are very susceptible.

Balanced fertilizer application

Without additional fertilizer, the steppe grass forms hardly any or very weak flower fronds. These then lack stability. They can easily snap over in the wind.

• Use of organic fertilizer
• no over-fertilization possible
• Horn shavings a handful after pruning in spring
• once a month 50 to 80 g per m² compost from May to August
• alternatively dried coffee grounds once a month from May

Cut back in spring

Mistakes in pruning can already damage young shoots. The resulting flowering shoots of the pampas grass are then unstable and can easily snap off. Pruning is also not the right expression for pampas grass, because these grasses are only cleaned up.

• old Cut off the flower stalks close to the ground
• comb out dead leaves with hands
• if all leaves have died, cut back to 10 to 20 cm above the ground

A notice: Wear gloves when pruning as the leaf edges are very sharp.

frequently asked Questions