Scirpus

The genus Scirpus includes 300 species of herbaceous perennial, rarely annual, rhizomatous plants common in excessively moist places around the world, but few species have decorative properties. Usually they are characterized by cylindrical linear long stems. Simple flowers on the top of the stems are nondescript bisexual, in spikelets collected in complex inflorescences, less often single. The stems of some species are used for making wicker products. White reed (Scirpus albescens) is a stable root-springing marsh species with strong white green-striped stems, up to 2 m high, growing from a lignified rhizome. They develop well and grow in water at a depth of up to 0.5 m. Since the plants grow too quickly, it is recommended to limit the area allocated to them. Drooping reed (S. cernuus), or Isolepis drooping (Isolepis cernua), is characterized by tufts of descending filamentous light green stems, 30-50 cm long. At the ends, the smallest white or cream flowers are formed. It is usually grown in pots at home. Often this beautiful plant is referred to as ampelny, which is not always true. Lake reed, Scirpus lacustris, is a stable species with rounded long leafless stems up to 2 m high, which initially grow vertically, and then droop. The flowers are reddish-chestnut in small panicles at the top of the stems.

The genus Scirpus includes 300 species of herbaceous perennial, rarely annual, rhizomatous plants common in excessively moist places around the world, but few species have decorative properties. Usually they are characterized by cylindrical linear long stems. Simple flowers on the top of the stems are nondescript bisexual, in spikelets collected in complex inflorescences, less often single. The stems of some species are used for making wicker products.

White reed (Scirpus albescens) is a stable root-springing marsh species with strong white green-striped stems, up to 2 m high, growing from a lignified rhizome. They develop well and grow in water at a depth of up to 0.5 m. Since the plants grow too quickly, it is recommended to limit the area allocated to them.

Drooping reed (S. cernuus), or Isolepis drooping (Isolepis cernua), is characterized by tufts of descending filamentous light green stems, 30-50 cm long. At the ends, the smallest white or cream flowers are formed. It is usually grown in pots at home.

Often this beautiful plant is referred to as ampelny, which is not always true.

Lake reed, Scirpus lacustris, is a stable species with rounded long leafless stems up to 2 m high, which initially grow vertically, and then droop. The flowers are reddish-chestnut in small panicles at the top of the stems.

Cultivation

White reeds are grown in the garden on moist soil near reservoirs, on the banks of lakes and streams. It requires clay-rich, fertile soil. Plants, without burying the root neck, are planted in the ground in the spring, at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. But drooping reeds are grown in pots at home indoors or on balconies and terraces, so that in cold winters they can be removed inside. In addition to the usual containers, you can also use hanging baskets. The substrate is made up of 2/3sphagnum peat and 1/3 from fertile land, add 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. The diameter of the pot is about 10-20 cm. Lake reeds can be grown both in the open ground and in water, as well as in pots. Depending on the type of cultivation, you should use the methods suggested for the first two types. All these types are also suitable for the hydroponic method. When growing plants in containers and pots, in spring and summer, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. In the spring, old stems are cut off from the white reeds. Reeds bloom in summer. Plants usually do not have problems associated with diseases.

White reeds are grown in the garden on moist soil near reservoirs, on the banks of lakes and streams. It requires clay-rich, fertile soil. Plants, without burying the root neck, are planted in the ground in the spring, at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. But drooping reeds are grown in pots at home indoors or on balconies and terraces, so that in cold winters they can be removed inside. In addition to the usual containers, you can also use hanging baskets. The substrate is made up of 2/3sphagnum peat and 1/3 from fertile land, add 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. The diameter of the pot is about 10-20 cm.

Lake reeds can be grown both in the open ground and in water, as well as in pots. Depending on the type of cultivation, you should use the methods suggested for the first two types.

All these types are also suitable for the hydroponic method. When growing plants in containers and pots, in spring and summer, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. In the spring, old stems are cut off from the white reeds. Reeds bloom in summer. Plants usually do not have problems associated with diseases.

Location

Drooping reeds and lake reeds usually do not require much light, and therefore they are very well suited for growing at home. White reeds prefer good lighting.

Temperature

Drooping reeds require a minimum temperature of 8 °C, white reeds and lake reeds are resistant to fluctuations in air temperature.

Watering

In spring and summer, plants planted in pots are watered often and abundantly.

Transplant

Every year or 1 time in 2 years, you need to divide the plant, otherwise the stems will start to turn yellow in highly overgrown specimens.

Care

In potted plants, damaged stems are removed.

Reproduction

Propagate by seed and division of the rhizome in April. The rhizomes of the whitening reed and the lake reed are cut into pieces of 10-12 cm each, and the drooping reed-5 cm each, after which they are immediately planted in a permanent place assigned to them.

Acquisition

Reeds can be found in nurseries and gardening centers that specialize in growing and selling aquatic plants. Choose compact bushes with a beautiful bright color, which indicates their healthy condition.