Dividing Bluestem

18 years ago

What is the best time(s) to divide and transplant native grasses: big and little bluestem, Indian grass, sideoates grama?

Does it matter that I am in central Texas?

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Comments (7)

pam_aa
18 years ago
I think its kinda late now for dividing even for zone 8, early spring when they start growing again is your next bet. Good luck, they have one heck of a root system but it should be doable. You may need a saw. As in any transplant, DON'T let them dry out till reestablishment. Be patient they may take a while to get going, maybe as long a two years.
joepyeweed
18 years ago
I think if they are dormant now, you could divide them just fine.

I would divide in the late fall or early spring before they turn green.

You definitely will need a saw. I tried to dig some up and break them with a shovel and it was no going. I really didnt want to dull the saw blade on dirt and roots but I had no choice.
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I am growing plugs of native grasses from seed for meadow gardens I am creating and to intermix in a small meadow area. These are very easy to start from seed. Using the winter-sowing technique, I sowed the seed in small hunks in 2 liter soda bottles. Grew a nice little bushy clump, which can be planted outright or divided into smaller plugs. I bought the seed from Prairie Nursery last winter. Could not believe the quantity of seed! Thousands of seeds! There is no way I can use it all and would be happy to share some with you for a SASBE. (sasbe = self-addressed stamped bubble envelop) Send me an email if interested. The native prairie grasses are warm season grasses, so they won't sprout until it warms up in the Spring. My experience was that they did not need cold stratification. I sowed Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Sorghastrum nutans, and Boutelouea curtipendula on April 12th. All 4 species sprouted within 10-12 days. We had some nice warm Spring weather last April, which helped the seeds to sprout quickly. Here is a pic of the prairie grasses. They are growing in the bottoms of 2 liter soda bottles, which I cut off and removed the tops once after last frost.
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Jim, The best time to divide and transplant (here in Ohio, at least) is in late March through mid April, before any new growth starts. But frankly, the plant can be divided and transplanted just about any time, even now in the middle of the growing season, if you are sure to slice off the leaves and take a good chunk of root and set the new division firmly in the soil. Keep it happy with moderate watering. It's just like a bison eating the top of the plant. It's adapted to being nipped off at the base. Those of us with experience with this species know that it grows slowly when young (first two or three years), or when transplanted. The species grows on root reserves, not just on leaf photosynthesis, so the plant can take a few years getting a massive root system in place to store energy. It's greatly helped with fertilization in the first three years. For small plantings, a general plant fertilizer like Miracle Grow is good. Don't over do it. Keep us posted on how things work out. --John Blakeman
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davidl_ny5
18 years ago
I divided a small (1' across?) clump of little bluestem early last spring, on advice from this forum I think. I did it early while dormant, took as much root as I could get, dug a fairly deep hole, and really stomped on it. Worked like a charm. Where you are, keeping it moist is probably important too.
davidl_ny5
18 years ago
Oh, I just used a spade (but it was a small bunch) and the transplant was full-sized first year.
AdamM321
18 years ago
Hi,

I am considering adding little bluestem and indian grass to my yard. From what I am hearing, once it is in, it is there to stay? Is it also going to reseed and take over the beds?

adam
ahughes798
18 years ago
Adam,

I have a clump of little bluestem in my front yard. It's 3 years old, and I haven't noticed that it's seeded all over, nor has the clump spread. Same with Side Oats Grama. I have a clump of indian grass, too. I've heard it can be aggressive with spreading and seeding, but I haven't noticed it. I've heard the same about big bluestem, but I have that out back where it can spread out if it wants to. April
john_mo
18 years ago
Little bluestem is a long-lived perennial, so once established it should be part of your planting for a long while.

I think that your local soil and climate conditions go a long way toward determining whether these grasses will re-seed themselves or not. Little bluestem grows well enough for me but it doesn't self-seed in my garden, which is perhaps too poorly-drained for this species. Same goes for sideoats.

But indian grass is a bit too happy with conditions in my garden. I moved the large plants to a location where they would have more room, but seedlings keep popping up. Indian grass has a reputation of taking over larger-scale prairie plantings in this area as well. It's a beautiful plant, but a bit agressive.

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Dividing Bluestem

Comments (7)

pam_aa

joepyeweed

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davidl_ny5

davidl_ny5

AdamM321

ahughes798

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