The species Chinese reed and giant Chinese reed usually come under the name of elephant grass. The same procedures apply to both ornamental grasses when it comes to cutting. If this is carried out regularly, nothing stands in the way of healthy growth.
Elephant grass should only be completely cut back in the spring
time
In the fall, the grass draws its energy from the leaves and deposits the assimilate into the underground root system. Pruning is not recommended before winter, when moisture can collect in the open stalks and cause rot. At the same time, the eyrie becomes more susceptible to cold temperatures because the protective blades of grass are missing on the earth's surface.
spring pruning
The ideal period is from the end of winter until the fresh shoots sprout. Chinese grass is one of the species that sprout relatively late. Therefore, cuts are recommended in April, when no young shoots can be seen and the metabolism is slowly getting going.
preparations
Before you reach for the scissors, a few preparatory measures are necessary. These are necessary from a nature conservation point of view and make your work easier.
control
Many insects and small mammals, including hedgehogs, mice, ladybirds and lacewings, use the dead clumps of grass as winter quarters. Postpone cutting measures when encountering sleeping guests.
binding material
Ribbons can make cutting more convenient for you. Tying them together is recommended above all for clumps that have expanded greatly in width. Such specimens are gathered into several bunches and tied together. After the subsequent cut, the bundles can be removed more easily without individual blades of grass flying around in the garden.
cutting techniques
There are two possible pruning measures for this ornamental grass. In general, a radical pruning takes place every year so that the fresh stalks get enough light and air for healthy growth.
radical cut
If the spring has been particularly mild so that young shoots appear at the time of cutting, they must not be cut off. Shorten the dried stalks only so far that you do not damage the fresh shoots. If the eyrie is already heavily interspersed with young culms, only remove the outer culms from the previous year.
Basic procedure:
- Cut the horst to a hand's breadth above the ground
- A remaining height of eight to twelve centimeters is ideal
- Guide the knife vertically through the individual tufts
care cut
Health pruning is occasionally required if the elephant grass shows disease or stunted growth. If the grass is affected by rot, the affected stalks must be removed generously and cut off just above the ground. Expose the base of the straw so that it can dry and no moisture from the substrate penetrates into the open interfaces.
divide
Immediately after pruning, the ideal time has come to divide the Chinese reed. Cut off sections with a spade that have at least three to four shoots. Get them out of the ground and plant the clumps in the desired location.