Hi,
arundo donax doesn´t grow over here because of the frost. If I planted it in a big pot and carried it inside for the winter however it shouldn´t be a problem to hibernate. Joseph will be so kind as to ship me some rhizomes from Florida (Thanks in advance, Joseph).
I´m mostly interested in seeing the plant growing live but it also would be nice to have it in the size for chanter-reeds. I don´t know anything about arundo. Indoors I just have the usual height of ~ 8 feet. I think I read of somebody hibernating the stuff but I can´t find it any more. I even am not sure wether it was here or on Dave Daye´s list. In case, could you share your experiance? How fast does it grow? Would it perhaps be possible to harvest in late autumn before taking it indoors?
Best,
Hans
Arundo, under good conditions (ie: lots of sun and water), grows very quickly. It likes sand/sandy soil the best. To the best of my knowledge, Arundo doesn’t hibernate, really, though I could be wrong. Wild cane breaks I have harvested from have some green aspect to them all year long. During the winter, it is mostly branch production, at the base of which, are little rhizomes that will eventually become the larger plant. Eventually the stalks will drop their sap, and they will die, but by that time, new sprouts are already racing toward the sky.
Keeping Arundo indoors over the winter could prove to be a task, as it (especially the stuff I’ll be sending you) grows to a height of 25 to 30 feet… just a shade taller than your ceiling. But, where there’s a will there’s a way, eh?
Harvesting Arundo before it is ready may lead to bad reeds or reeds that have an inferior tone. The natural process of curing Arundo must be allowed to take place… the breaking down of sugars, decomposition… etc… etc. This is the thing that takes the most time, up to three years… two at the very least. First year: Arundo is allowed to die and dry in the ground. Second year: It is harvested, keeping the leaves on, tied into bundles and allowed to dry out of doors standing, or laying. Third year, Leaves are removed, it is cut into tubes and allowed to ‘cure’ further in the sun. The whole drying process really should involve sunlight. Although, I have heard of cane that has been cured indoors without a great deal of sunlight, and it turned out just fine. I prefer allowing it to ‘sun dry’.
Hans, I hope that this is of some help to you. Good luck.
Sorry to be a wet blanket, but you might want to check to see if there are any import/export restrictions on shipping living plant material with your government.
djm,
there aren´t any import restrictions for Germany. Because of the frost it can´t survive and become invasive. I didn´t find anything for Europe. I think the non-frost mediterranean areas (Spain, Southern France, Italy…) already have it for long, anyway, and have come to terms with it. Could of course be wrong and I wanna make sure. Does anybody know?
Hans
I am going to double check with my local post office, just to make certain that there are no restrictions on my sending one of the US’ top ten invasive plant species.
The last thing I want to deal with right now is having the Feds apprehend me as an Arundo Terrorist.
Just received this from Dave Daye saying that he grows it in Ohio where the temperatures in winter sink to - 20 F and saying that in protected places I might well be able to grow it outside over here. He included this link that I would share:
You may also want to consider using some kind of insulation, like mulch or hay, to cover the roots with during the winter. Making the bed where they will live fairly large, then covering the entire bed with said insulation (a good 4-5 inches deep… if not more) may prove helpful in keeping the roots alive. It’s worth a try at any rate.
Here are a few links to help you plan for growing it.
But, where there’s a will there’s a way, eh?
