Zebra grass is a wonderful privacy screen that proves to be extremely easy to care for and can be decorative even in winter. The following guide shows what to look out for.
Location
Zebra grass has a particularly decorative effect due to its striped leaves. Since it can reach a height of up to two meters, it serves, among other things, as a privacy screen, shade provider for other plants and a vestibule.
Miscanthus sinensis can also be cultivated outdoors, as well as in a tub on the balcony or terrace. In either case, you need to choose the location wisely. The following requirements must be met:
- Avoid very exposed areas
- sunny or at least semi-sunny
- warm
Note: Shady locations are also possible. The typical zebra crossings on the stalks are then not so clearly visible.
Substrate
The soil for Miscanthus sinensis must meet various criteria. these are these points:
- permeable
- humus
- relaxed
- loamy
- moderately nutritious
- sandy
For example, bamboo soil or grass soil is ideal. This is already geared towards the needs of the plants and does not require any further mixing. It should therefore be used in bucket culture in particular. An alternative, however, is a mixture of garden soil, sand, ripe compost and coconut fiber.
to water
The plant needs plenty of water. Especially in summer or when cultivating in the bucket. In these cases it may even be necessary several times
to water daily. It is ideal to use soft, i.e. lime-free water and to plant the plant in the immediate vicinity of a body of water. Suitable sources of soft water include:- stale tap water
- Aquarium water
- filtered tap water
- Pond water
- soft tap water
In the case of pond water and aquarium water, care must be taken to ensure that it is untreated. You can find out whether your own tap water is low in lime from the responsible water authority or through a test. Many offices also offer this information online.
Note: Urgently avoid waterlogging. Because even if the zebra grass needs a lot of water, it is extremely prone to rot.
Fertilize
Due to its rapid growth and enormous height, zebra grass requires sufficient nutrients. Regular fertilization should therefore be carried out during the growing season. The following means can therefore be used from March to the end of August or the beginning of September:
- Grass fertilizer
- humus
- compost
- Herbal manure
Depending on the fertilizer in question, the frequency and amount must also be selected. Special grass fertilizers have the advantage that the exact amount of nutrients they contain is known. This makes it easy to avoid incorrect dosages. Regardless of which means you choose, there are a few points that you must adhere to. These are:
- adequate watering after feeding the nutrients
- Cessation of fertilization in late summer
- Add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water
- work dry fertilizers well into the substrate
A comprehensive irrigation is important with it
the nutrients can be distributed evenly and do not cause chemical burns on the roots. These occur when the minerals are selectively present in too high a concentration.
Waste
The trimming or pruning should be done once a year. The best time is right after wintering and before the plant sprouts again.
Only a few steps are required for this measure. It refers to:
Choose clean cutting tools
Even if parts of the plant have already dried out, cut surfaces can serve as entry points for pathogens or parasites. The blades of the cutting tool should therefore be cleaned before cutting.
Sharp blades
Sharp and strong secateurs are ideal for this measure. If the blades are dull, the grass is more likely to be crushed and torn than cut off. This can damage the plant.
Radically cut back
When pruning, the stalks should be shortened close to the ground. This gives the new shoots more space and receives more light. This favors healthy and strong growth.
Tips: It helps to bend the stalks outward and downward before cutting. If there are already young shoots, they can be recognized better and are not accidentally shortened as well.
Bucket culture
The care of Miscanthus sinensis in the bucket culture requires a little more effort in terms of supply. The reason for this is that the plant has less substrate available. This means that both smaller amounts of nutrients and water reserves are available. In addition, waterlogging can occur more quickly.
Therefore, pay attention to the following points:
- adequate watering, up to twice a day in summer
- Drainage in the planter for water drainage
- more frequent fertilization every two weeks, depending on the particular agent
- Regular repotting every two to three years
- Winter in protected areas or with root protection
Care must therefore be more closely meshed. Frequent watering is essential, especially in summer when the temperatures are very high and the soil dries out faster as a result. The larger the bucket and the more soil the plant has, the more leeway there is and the less effort is needed.
Another advantage is that a planter with a large volume offers more stability. In addition, there is also a higher level of protection against the
given complete freezing.Overwinter
The striped grass is hardy outdoors down to -20 degrees Celsius. However, this only applies if it was planted in spring and has grown well. Otherwise, additional protection should be applied around the crop. This can be straw, brushwood or mulch, for example. Garden fleece is also a possible alternative. When cultivating in a bucket, it is advisable to wrap the planter with protective fleece and insulate it from below. A sheet made of Styrofoam or a Euro pallet, which avoids direct contact with the ground, is suitable for this.
In addition, in both cases you need to consider the following criteria:
- spend in a protected location
- Avoid drying out
- Stop fertilizing in summer
- only water on frost-free days
Diseases & pests
The striped grass with the impressive height is in itself robust and not very vulnerable. Diseases do not occur as long as there is no waterlogging or drying out. Pests such as lice are also extremely rare. Even if they attack the crop, they usually do little damage and disappear again without any action. Home remedies such as soapy water, diluted milk but also yellow bars or natural predators can be used if necessary.
Care errors
Maintenance errors, on the other hand, can certainly occur. The most common problems are:
Missing waste
If the pruning is not carried out, the dried up leaves can gradually rot in the spring. The germs responsible for this may also spread to the young shoots.
Waterlogging
The plants must be watered regularly and abundantly, but waterlogging must be avoided as a matter of urgency. This can be prevented by a drainage layer in planters. Good drainage should also be ensured near bodies of water. For this purpose, a layer of gravel can be introduced when the plants are planted to separate the roots from the wet soil.
Compacted substrate
The roots of the zebra grass need loose and well drained soil. This goal can be achieved with sand and coconut fiber.
Not enough nutrients
A lack of fertilizer supply, especially in the bucket, quickly leads to delayed growth and an increased susceptibility to diseases and pests.