Wherever there is a need to plant swampy soil in the garden, real papyrus comes at the right time. The impressive ornamental grass captivates with 3 to 5 meter high stalks and a majestic ray bloom. In order to develop this natural beauty to perfection, the syphilis cannot be moist enough at the site. What is also required to properly care for the tropical papyrus plant, the following guide explains in detail. The keeping of Cyperus papyrus is exemplary.
to water
As a classic marsh grass, the papyrus plant prefers a permanently moist substrate. Therefore, during the summer it takes a place in the bank area of the garden pond with pleasure. In view of the minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, Cyperus papyrus is usually kept in a large bucket. How to properly handle the water supply:
- Maintain a water level of two fingers' breadth in the bucket
- Alternatively, fill the coaster constantly with water
- Do not let the water rise to the base of the stalks to prevent rot
- Ideally, water with collected rainwater, pond water or decalcified tap water
In order to create a picturesque scenery with a papyrus thicket along the course of the stream or pond, resourceful hobby gardeners put the ornamental grass together with a large pot in the ground. In this way, when the temperatures fall in autumn, the plant can easily be lifted out of the ground in order to move it to winter quarters.
Tip: Spray papyrus every 2 to 3 days with lime-free water, this care promotes vitality and resilience.
Fertilize
Planted out in the swampy bank area of a body of water, the decorative plant receives a sufficient amount of nutrients in a natural way.
Cultivated in the bucket is the supply
Temperature and light conditions
In addition to the water and nutrient supply, the conditions at the site are another supporting pillar to properly care for papyrus.
- Fully sunny location with direct sunlight for as many hours as possible
- The ornamental grass takes care of itself in partial shade
- Temperatures of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius are ideal.
- The higher the temperatures, the more often Cyperus papyrus is pampered with a spray of lukewarm water.
Substrate
The elegant sour grass plant is perfect for hydroponics. Here the perennial roots in water and not in soil. Inorganic granulates such as fired expanded clay or other mineral substances act as a substrate. These float in a watertight bucket, with the plant itself in a slotted plastic cultivation pot. This has the advantage that the marsh plant feels particularly at home and is self-sufficient in supplying it with water. If traditional soil is preferred for keeping, this should be as follows:
- In the bed, nutritious, humic and fresh and moist
- As a substrate in the planter, high-quality compost-based potted plant soil
- Alternatively, a mix of potting soil, clay, compost and sand
Tip: Papyrus turns into a striking eye-catcher by cultivating it in a glass vessel with pebbles and glass beads that is half or two thirds filled with water.
Cut
The exotic ornamental grass is not pruned. In this regard, care is limited to
Regular cleaning of wilted and dried up stalks. This is more common in locations exposed to wind, especially during the summer. For the competent maintenance of the impressive papyrus thicket, this measure is considered to be a vital clearing in order to create space for the new growth. The older the noble ornamental grass, the harder the long stalks are. The resulting sharp edges can cause painful injuries. It is therefore mandatory to wear sturdy gloves for all maintenance work.Overwinter
Papyrus does not put in a winter dormancy in the true sense of the word. Rather, it adapts to the reduced light and temperature conditions. Given a minimum temperature of 15 degrees, wintering in the open air is not possible. If the Zypergrass is not cultivated all year round in the living room or heated winter garden, the following precautions must be taken:
- Move Cyperus papyrus from the garden to winter quarters in late summer
- A bright, warm location at temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius is ideal
- Avoid close proximity to radiators
During the winter, the substrate is kept constantly moist. In addition, the repeated spraying of the stalks should be continued consistently. This caution makes a valuable contribution to keeping spider mites at a distance. From September to March the application of fertilizers is stopped.
Repot
Their rapid growth requires a change to a larger container every 1 to 2 years. This should be about 10 centimeters larger in diameter and have a bottom opening as a water drain. The best time for this fundamental maintenance measure is in March, before the new shoot appears. This is how you proceed step by step:
- A drainage made of chippings or potsherds prevents damaging waterlogging at the bottom of the pot
- Spread a fleece over the top to prevent crumbs of earth from settling in the drainage system
- Pour the recommended substrate into the lower third of the vessel
- Pot the young plant and plant it in the middle of the new container
- Do not set the ornamental grass any deeper than it was previously in the ground
- Leave a high pouring edge free and pour in generously
If you prefer hydroponics for keeping, repotting takes place according to slightly different parameters. The new hydraulic tank is at least 2 sizes larger and has no bottom opening. In the first step, fill in expanded clay several centimeters high. The plant and the culture pot are then lifted out of the previous planter. Cut several small windows 2 centimeters wide in the plastic and place the ornamental grass including the processed one
Culture pot in the planter. Last but not least, the cavity is filled with hydro substrate and lukewarm water is poured up to the optimum reading on the water level meter.Multiply
The following two propagation methods have proven to be very effective in keeping Cyperus papyrus correctly:
division
Since the rhizome consists of rhizomes, the division is considered an uncomplicated form of breeding further specimens. Repotting in spring provides an excellent opportunity to cut the root ball into several segments with a spade or ax. Each section should have at least two shoots. You plant these in individual pots so that you can immediately care for them like adult papyrus bushes according to these instructions.
Cuttings
Each leaf crown has the potential of an independent ornamental shrub. It thus provides the ideal starting material for classic vegetative propagation. How to do it right:
- Cut off a stalk about 5 centimeters below a tuft of leaves
- Fill a nursery pot with lean substrate
- Plant the fore cuttings 2-3 centimeters deep in it
- Pouring and spraying with low-lime water initiate growth
If you put a transparent bag over the pot, a warm, humid microclimate is created underneath - ideal for the tropical swamp plant. Daily ventilation prevents unwanted mold growth. A fresh shoot signals the successful development of roots in the substrate. When the young plant has completely rooted the container, repot it in substrate for adult specimens. If you are aiming for hydroponics for real papyrus, the propagation of cuttings is ideally suited to steer the ornamental grass in this direction right from the start. In the waterproof cultivation pot there is already expanded clay in the water. This is where you put the leaf crown, which allows water roots to sprout from the spot. The rooted cuttings are repotted in a special culture pot, which in turn is placed in a hydrotot.
Conclusion
In order to properly care for a papyrus bush, the special requirements of a marsh plant must be taken into account first and foremost. The nutrient-rich substrate should be permanently moist, although there is nothing wrong with a permanent footbath. The tropical plant feels particularly at home in hydroponics. In addition, the Zypergrass needs a sunny, warm location. Even at temperatures below 15 degrees it becomes too cold for the exotic ornamental grass. Therefore, the only option for wintering is a warm, bright room. If you have mastered the keeping of Cyperus papyrus, propagation by means of division or clipped cuttings should be a horticultural pleasure.
