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Stipa gigantea not happy?

Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,239
in Plants

My first time with grasses this year and I planted these 3 Stipa gigantea back in March and they don't seem to have done much since planting.
Do they need a while to settle in usually or are they not happy?

They get sun all day long when it's out.
I wondered if it was the soil. They're planted in topsoil I had delivered last year. I added grit and compost to the planting holes first. There's no problem with the topsoil as my veg are doing very well in it.
The only other thought I have is that it's been so dry since March until last week I wonder if it's a lack of water, though I did water them regularly with tap water

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Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Posts

  • SilverlightSilverlight Posts: 82

    I planted some same time last year and they have taken a year to bed in.

    Mine are now more clump sized and have a few big seed heads coming through.

    I guess it's just patience...

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,239

    Thanks Sl.

    I hoped that might be the case. A lack of water may be part of the problem, so I'll be more diligent in that respect and keep everything crossed they'll settle in and give a good display next year.
    I guess hoping for masses of 7ft stems of waving oats this year was a bit hasty

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,142

    Don't be too diligent with the water, they look OK to me for new plantings and they don't do well in wet soil



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,239

    oops - thanks nut - that's a relief, I've got enough to water atm...

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,142

    just enough to stop it drying too much for too long. You'll never need to water it again after this year

    Last edited: 11 June 2017 08:46:09



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Andy LeedsAndy Leeds Posts: 518

    I have one from this spring that looks very similar - good to hear it might be ok ?

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,239

    Thanks nut. I'll keep an eye on them until the autumn.
    It's been so incredibly dry here until a couple of weeks ago, but at least we've had some good rain at last

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,142

    We had a very dry spring as well but OK now. I have a huge garden and couldn't possibly water much of it so I don't water anything after I've watered it in. Rarely lose anything but I choose plants that can cope.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,239

    Ah yes, but you're sensible nut.

    I choose to grow vast amounts of stuff that needs constant water and attention - gardening is sooo stressful :)

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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