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Stipa Gigantea

477477 Posts: 4
I have found a patch of seedlings close to my Stipa Gigantea but am unsure what they are. No other grasses are growing nearby. If they are Stipa then I would like to grow some of them on but not in that particular spot. Would they transplant well? 

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @477 I think I would wait and see, have you got alliums in the garden? I have never had seedlings from my S Gigantea but I understand that they wil seed. I do think your Stipa will need to be split before any seedlings come to anything. Grasses should  be split into large pieces to thrive.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • 477477 Posts: 4
    Yes, I have alliums nearby. I hadn't thought of them! I also hadn't realised that Stipa could be divided. Thank you. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited March 2023
    @477I would dig one up and see if there is a tiny bulb on the end.

    Stipa as well as all other grasses can be split as it comes into growth in the spring.
    Never split whilst dormant.

    Small pieces may die hence the suggestion of generous chunks!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Those seedlings look like Alliums to me as well, bulbs anyway, not grass. I have never had seedlings either, or found a seed in the head. But a species must seed naturally, nothing in nature comes along and divides it


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree - those are allium seedlings  :)
    The sphaerocephaons are particularly inclined to seed around. I'm always pulling them out of various beds and pots.
    I agree re splitting later on with your grass. Grasses don't do well if you divide them when dormant. Different from many other plants  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 477477 Posts: 4
    Thank you all for your words of wisdom. Yes, there are definitely tiny bulbs at the end of the stems. I don't really want more Alliums in that particular spot. Is it possible to carefully dig them up, replant in pots and keep in an unheated greenhouse until large enough to plant elsewhere? Poor image but I can definitely feel a bump. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I just put them in the green waste for collection. I don't even put them in my compost bin as they're really thuggish. Much as I like them, I don't like encouraging them more than necessary!

    You could certainly pot them up if you want to keep them - they wouldn't need any protection though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 477477 Posts: 4
    Thank you, I will pot them up this afternoon and pop them by the hedge. 
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