Why should the ornamental grass be divided?
Plants that have grown too big compete with other plants for nutrients. Not only does the lamp-cleaning grass grow less vigorously, the neighboring plants also suffer from the narrowness.
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The division gives you several daughter plants whose properties are absolutely identical to those of the mother plant. Since Pennisetum does not form runners, this is the easiest way of propagation in the home garden.
Feather bristle grass that grows taller is suitable as a natural privacy screen. For this you would need a lot of plants. The design measure can be implemented more cost-effectively if you initially only plant a few ornamental grasses and divide them after two to three years.
When should the pennon cleaner grass be divided?
The best season for this maintenance measure is spring, even before the ornamental grass sprouts fresh.
In autumn you should better avoid dividing it. The newly planted perennials then have no more time to take root before winter and may not be able to withstand frosty temperatures.
Cut back before dividing
Since Pennisetum hibernates with the leaves tied together, you should trim the ornamental grass before digging it up. Cut all of the stalks about a hand's breadth above the ground.
Lift the root ball out of the earth and divide it
Use a sturdy digging fork or one for this work spade. Proceed as follows:
- Cut the soil with the tool at an appropriate distance around the plant.
- Take advantage of the leverage to get the root ball out of the earth.
- Roughly shake off the substrate.
- Obviously damaged or dried up roots with a sharp, clean one Secateurs split off.
- Use the spade to cut the eyrie into two or three pieces. In the case of very large and older plants, a saw to be necessary.
Inserting the plants
Now you can put a lamp cleaner grass back in its old location and have one or two new plants with which you can fill in gaps in the beds.
- Dig for large enough planting holes.
- Mix some substrate with mature compost. In the case of heavily compacted soils, work in additional sand.
- Since Pennisetum is sensitive to waterlogging, introduce a drainage layer of gravel or sand.
- Insert the pieces a few centimeters deeper than before and press the soil down well.
- Water thoroughly.
Tips
Pennisetum has very hard leaves, the edges of which can be razor-sharp. You should therefore wear sturdy gloves when working on the ornamental grass.
