Growing Methods and Precautions for Variegated Giant Reed

Variegated giant reed is a perennial emergent herbaceous foliage plant of the genus Arundo in the grass family (Poaceae). Its stems are tall and upright, resembling bamboo. Its underground rhizomes are thick and knotted. In early spring, the leaves have alternating yellow and white stripes, and later green stripes are added. It is mainly used as background material in waterscape gardens, and can also be used to accent the surroundings of bridges, pavilions and waterside pavilions. It can be grown in pots for courtyard viewing. Let us take a look at the growing methods for variegated giant reed!

Growth Habits of Variegated Giant Reed

Variegated giant reed is produced in Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and other places in China. It grows on riverbanks and roadsides and on sandy loam soil, and has been introduced and cultivated in gardens in various places in the south. It grows beside rivers, ponds and lakes, often growing in large patches to form reed marshes. It likes warmth and light, is moisture-tolerant and relatively cold-tolerant, and needs protection to overwinter in the north. It has a good purification effect on domestic sewage in subsurface-flow constructed wetlands.

Propagation Methods for Variegated Giant Reed

1. Rhizome propagation: Dig out the underground stems, wash off the soil and old roots, cut them into blocks with a sharp knife, and propagate with 3 to 4 buds per block.

2. Cuttage propagation: Carry this out at the end of August and the beginning of September. After cutting the plants, they must not leave the water; cut and insert them right away. The water level of the cutting bed and pond is 3 to 5 cm, and roots will form in about 20 days or so.

Growing Methods for Variegated Giant Reed

1. Potting: For potting variegated giant reed, it is advisable to choose a non-leaking flower pot with an inner diameter of 50 to 60 cm. After planting, keep the pot moist or with shallow water.

2. Weeding: Remove weeds promptly during the growing season of variegated giant reed, so as to avoid competing with the seedlings for nutrients.

3. Water spraying: In Wuhan and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, when the temperature in the hot summer reaches 42°C, spray water on the leaf surface for variegated giant reed to prevent sunscald on the leaves.

4. Fertilizing: During the peak growing season, apply fertilizer 1 to 2 times to variegated giant reed to improve the plant's growth and development capacity and ornamental value.