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Moss, Ferns & Cryptogams

Looking for Equisetum giganteum (giant horsetail)

18 years ago

If anyone has a plant/rhizome/division/stem cutting they would be willing to sell or trade, or know of a commercial source for this plant, please let me know! Thanks,

Nile

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Comments (10)

karinl
18 years ago
I can point you to any number of horsetail-infested properties near where I live - I imagine that just keeping your eyes open would find you some in your area. And all you need is a piece.
NHRed
18 years ago
New England Bamboo has Equisetum hymale, which gets about 3 feet high. Very unusual plant - I get alot of comments about them. I would send you a clump of mine but it is not that well established yet.
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I'm reposting this so I can get any replies notified. I have a very specialized question(s) about growing horsetail. What I have is a pot that is about 1 foot across and maybe 15 inches deep. This pot was a flea market find and the saucer at the bottom is connected. Because it doesn't drain good I figured to put some horsetail in it, a plant I've always lusted after. Now the question part---the overflow/drainage from the pot makes a really goopy dark residue on my tiny apt. balcony. To keep that from happening I've set the entire kit and kaboodle into a large pot that does NOT have any drainage. Because I have great difficulty (read almost impossible) in lifting anything, in order to dump out the larger container, the horsetail (in it's ceramic pot) will probably be sitting in water most of the time. Will this harm the horsetail? Sorry for the *essay*.
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I have some experience with our native Equisetum hyemale, as well as the giant Equisetum. I grow both in containers - E. hyemale above ground, E. giganteum below ground. Of the two, the in-ground container tends to shoot up new spears about three weeks before the above ground container. Incidentally, both are shooting right now, and the new growth is thick! My E. hyemale was collected from a shady alder grove at about 5000' elevation. Now, however, I grow it in a bit more sun - dappled light beneath oak and birch. The giant Equisetum grows in the shade of several redwood trees. I think that these reeds will grow taller in the shade (as they search for light), and more compact in the sun. Also, Horsetail reeds can be grown in regular potting mix, with regular drainage. They don't need standing water - in fact, I think they do better without it. I use a lot of small gravel and perlite and pine bark in my potting mix, to simulate the roadsize drainage-ditch conditions that Horsetail loves. I use Alaska brand fish emulsion to fertilize every few waterings during the growing season. If you want pics - type "horsetail" into the search box. I've littered this Forum with images. Josh
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Hey, all! I guess it's time for an Equisetum update. The E. giganteum topped out a little over seven feet, although it had to be tied up to keep from falling over. Because of its size, it might have to be moved and staged differently. My containerized E. hyemale has performed all summer to colonize this large pot. First, a pic from earlier this summer - and then a pic from this morning. I imagine this plant will grow for another month and a half at least. It sent up many spore-cones, but they were small and delicate and seemed to fall off with the slightest suggestion of wind, water, or touch. That's all for now. Not bad, eh? Josh
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greenhell73
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, I do have E. averense near where I live, but I am interested in finding some giant varieties. I may try to get some E. hymale, but I am most interested in E. giganteum...
lilypons
18 years ago
We have found that it grows well in arid environments, provided that the roots do not dry out entirely. We have even had plants growing in our gravel parking lot where pieces of the plant have fallen and rooted. I would recommend using a barrier of some sort around the roots of all Equisetum varieties, as they can become a nuisance quickly in most parts of North America.

Here is a link that might be useful: USDA information on E. giganteum
buyorsell888
18 years ago
I believe I saw some at Hughes Water Gardens in Tualatin OR last weekend. They aren't listed on their website though.

They were much larger than what I am used to seeing in fields. Thicker and taller. It had started to rain hard and I didn't go over and read the sign but did notice the unusual size.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hughes online
terrestrial_man
18 years ago
Hey buyorsell888 can you check it out.
I found only one place that has it. apparently there are two
different species that are called giant equisetum but
the real e. giganteum is only at this one college on the
east coast.
I emailed them last month and they have ignored me.
Maybe they are afraid of having the plant become a weed
in this country????

So how about Hippuris? not so tall but a good lookalike!
spage1
18 years ago
I have what I believe is Equisetum hyemale L., and
Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. var. braunii (Milde) Milde - giant horsetail. I can send you some of the Eq Hyemale if you like. I only have 2 short cuttings of the other and I dont even know how to root it. Hopefully someone will see this and inform me. I have had it for 2 days and it is just stuck in water. Once rooted I would be glad to share. I can also tell you where I got it and you could call them to see if they would send you some. It was in a display garden at a nursery. What I have was just laying on the path way and I was told I could have it. Let me know.
terrestrial_man
18 years ago
Hello Spage1!
Left a response on your other query.
thanks I would appreciate a cutting once your plants
are up and running. Just be patient with them.
Keeping in water is fine though I recommend changing the
water every few days, though I must admit that with the
horsetail species I have that I don't bother! I just
stick the ones with roots in a bucket with water and
by the time I get around to looking to see if any have
survived i will pot up those and toss the dead ones.
I let it grow in my yard! It is not that hard to control
and it is cool to know that the plant may have originated
millions of years ago and has been growing every since!!!
Now if I can figure out how I can do that!!!!
billsmoot
14 years ago
I have been looking for the same plant also! I DID find it listed at www.PlantsDelight.com but they are temporary out of stock.
Guess we'll just have to be patient... If you fine another source, please let me know - and I'll do the same...

billsmoot@cox.net
drmom21
13 years ago
I found what I think you all may be looking for at www.patioplants.com

I bought some plumeria from them and noticed they have a fair amount of plants for wet areas. Good luck.

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