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Ornamental Grasses

Did some 'searches' but still have ?

16 years ago

I couldn't read all of the searches about putting Muhly grasses in containers over the winter, so here are a few simple questions:

Can I use regular MG potting mix to pot up one gallon Muhly grasses? I am in zone 7, I plan to overwinter them in an outside, unheated brick garden house (or garage - which may be warmer, actually) - I know you are supposed to water overwinter, but I am more concerned about how often since it will be cool/cold - like once a week really well?

Also, should i wait until spring to cut back, even though they are in pots, or just let them sit as they are for more winter protection?

Thanks - so much for any responses

Carrie

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Comments (6)

donn_
16 years ago
Muhly is a warm season grass, hardy to zone 5. You could probably get away with just burying the pots in the ground, and let Ma Nature water them. Once it goes dormant, it doesn't need much, if any, water. Leave the foliage until spring.
carrie630
Original Author
16 years ago
confused donn - I actually have them in the ground (not potted, but planted), but I want to remove them (they were just planted last week), pot them up instead so that I can have them mobile next year in the garden (I am changing stuff around...) So, my actual question is:

Can I use MG potting mix to pot them up in? Plus, they were quite rootbound (that's why they were cheap..), so I really wanted to give them a nice space to "spread out" which is why I wanted to pot them up in a big pot.

Thanks always for helping me out - Carrie
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The best thing I've found to cook on is my Coleman single burner camp stove. Tried a variety of other things, portable ranges, a terrible whirlpool stove-top from many years ago, but you just cant beat that camp stove. The thing is basically a single burner that sits atop a green propane cylinder. Its only 10,000 BTU's, so it wont burn your pot up if you use it correctly and it uses about half of that bottle for a really long canning job. Ive done two canning jobs now and the thing runs perfectly for regulating the pressure. You just place your canner on it on a level surface, load it up, open and light it, set it to a decent flame and get your head of steam up. Once you have vented out the air and have the steam coming out for about ten minutes, place on your weights and let it pressurize. Once you reach operating pressure, lower the flame a to a reasonable level keeping the weights rocking and let it go until done. One word of caution though. Make sure you use the little stand that the bottle sits in to give your stove a good wide base, and don't let children bump into this. As long as its centered and you don't kick it or something, it will stay there with no problems. You can get a stove like this at any wally world :) If you don't like the height of the thing, Ozark Trail makes a two burner camp stove with two 6000BTU burners on it that sits flat and low. It's in the ballpark of 28 bucks. It takes longer to heat obviously, but you cant beat a gas flame for heat regulation. That's just my 2 cents. I'm sure everybody has their favorite way of heating PC's, but for me a gas flame does the best. I hope this helped, and don't be afraid of your equipment. There's nothing really fancy about it, Just get to know it and go to town. Just set up your gear and follow the recipe timetables and pressures.
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The spec sheet is a good start, but measure, measure, measure if there is any doubt. Take a measuring tape to the store and measure the machine and the legs. Then measure the tray and see if it will work. I think there have been issues with Floodsaver and similar valves with Bosch - you may want to check with Bosch. Not to muddy the water, so to speak, but there are reports of leaks (and some foods) coming from the door of FLs. The tray will likely not help here. I NEVER run a machine when I am not home and I turn off the water at the main valve when I go away for more then a day. This, plus checking your hoses and connections regularly is going to provide as much safety as a tray under the machine. I realize you may need the tray for insurance or code reasons. Let us know how the Bosch does in your second-story installation. There have been some vibration problems with Bosch in these installations but you may be fine if you have a strong floor. Good luck with your new machines.
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donn_
16 years ago
In that case, I wouldn't do anything with them until spring. Pulling and potting them this close to dormancy will put them at risk, for no good reason. Dig them in the spring, when you give them a haircut, and pot them up. MG is fine, but not necessary. Any non-ferts non-soil mix will be adequate. I've had very good results with MetroMix 510/Perlite (or Vermiculite) mixed at 50/50. The MetroMix has a trace starter charge of micronutes, but nothing to be concerned about.
carrie630
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks, donn - good idea, I will wait until spring.
Now, as far as the potting mix is concerned, I would really like to use what I have, which is tons of MG potting mix - is that perfectly OKAY? no doubt?... or do you recommend what you use? Maybe it's too early in the morning, but MG mix in the bag - ready to go - sounds a bit easier for me. Thanks in advance if you reply again

Carrie
donn_
16 years ago
You can use the MG. The reason I said it isn't necessary is because the plant doesn't need the ferts. It won't hurt the plant, but it's a waste of ferts. I'd still cut it with something like Perlite or Vermiculite, though, to improve drainage. Nothing is more important to potted plants than excellent drainage.
carrie630
Original Author
16 years ago
great info - never thought of that - gosh, donn you are terrific

Carrie

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