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Reed Production

(For further information contact Geoff Durno at "Reeds from Seeds")

The Production of Quality Reed (Phragmites australis)

Contrary to popular belief a reed plant grown from seed is anything but a hardy perennial, in fact it can be killed quite easily in the early stages of its life. It is a minor miracle that reeds growing in the natural state generate a microclimate wherein seed can germinate at the base of the reed stand. However, with 7,500 seeds to a gramme, very few seedlings actually make it to be big boys in the stand with their parent reeds.

Simulating conditions required for germination is not particularly difficult in modern horticultural propagation. Electronic control and heating systems makes for ease of temperature regulation, and fogging systems provide a dry fog regime for the optimum microclimate for best germination. With all this though, however good the system, only one in seven seeds will actually germinate.

The clever bit is to clean the seed from the fluff in which nature provides it protection. By so doing and obtaining clean seed, sowing is possible mechanically. This gives an advantage to the seedlings in that they grow in their own discreet module of compost, and at the time of potting on there is no disturbance to the establishing root system of the plant. Reeds grown and potted as modular plants form the system of reed production.

To return to the seed. As stated we have the ability at Reeds from Seeds to clean the seed from the fluff containing it, ending up with a small dark brown seed of known origin. Phragmites australis is indigenous in Europe, Africa, Australia and North America from 10 degrees to 70 degrees latitude. In practise there can be little or no genetic differences, but there are those who believe that only plants grown from seed of local origin will do the job. This is a misnomer, but it is an area where we can help those who insist upon this. We only hold stocks of UK origin seed from the South Coast of England, right up to the Tay estuary in Scotland. All of the seed material is collected by ourselves or by agents or we can trust of long standing.

Sizes of reeds

Reed seedlings potted up from 15cc modules go into one of four sizes, they are as follows: -

50cc Used for creation of larger seedlings usually overwintered on nursery for potting up into larger sizes from February onwards of the following year for a quick getaway to the growing season.

125cc Used for the larger planting schemes where low cost is important. Can only be planted out successfully in summertime. Also used in schemes involving planting floating rafts.

7cm Cheaper, chunky smaller version of the 9cm pot grown reed.

9cm Larger, the preferred size for most, pot grown 10 - 12 month 9cm reeds are a potful of root and rhizome development, bursting to grow away.

The Growing Process

As detailed we now have a growing seedling, with its own root system, ready to pot up into a larger pot to grow to be a saleable or plantable item for the customer.

What can go wrong? Well, actually quite a lot. The species is very variable. When the best of the best of the seedlings are now potted up into the final pot size that they will grow in, the differences start to show up. Some seedlings grow away strongly, others do not, why? The reason probably is that the cleaned seed we obtain from the panicle is variable between the top and bottom of the flowering head. The seed therefore has variability along the length of the panicle, the most viable seed probably being that obtained from the top third of the panicle.

What this means in growing terms is that when a batch of plants is deemed ready for planting, there will be a percentage which are what we term 'next time around' plants. This percentage can be from 5% to 30% in bad cases. For the plants involved, those rejected usually make up to be a plantable potful some months later. However, a fairly large percentage has to be allowed for as extras in the growing programme, or if a specific number are being grown for say contract work.

Aphids (Greenfly), Vine Weevil, Cutworms, some of the pests involved. Rusts leading to poor foliage, also mineral deficiencies can be a problem. Rabbits and Mice are real problems in both summer and winter, and can desimate young plants. Therefore rigourous control must be excercised. The crop has to be trimmed up on a regular basis. These are some of the problems and the extra incurred costs of growing the crop. Reeds are labour intensive at the beginning and end of the crop, and in between the regular trimming of the crop means that at no time can one sit back and watch nature have its natural way over matters.

Potting Composts

Reeds from Seeds are able to offer to grow crops in peat based, or peat free mediums.

Peat based composts grow the most consistent crops, and provide a binding material for the root system to establish in. The end result is a solid root mat within the pot which handles easily when taken out of the pot for planting.

Peat free composts grow good reed, but more slowly. They provide less binding material for the roots to latch onto. This in turn means that the potful is more likely to fall apart when being handled. The other somewhat less attractive message to impart about peat free mixes is the fact the growth is slower and it can take six weeks to eight weeks longer to make up to be a saleable, plantable plant.

Reeds from Seeds can normally supply up to 10,000 from stock at any time of the year. Being a containerised plant, reeds, reedmace, rushes, Juncus spps, etc, can be planted all year around. We recommend though that the depths of winter are to be avoided, or if planting is to be carried out in adverse conditions that only 9cm and really well establised plants are used.

For any further advice on scheduling, growing for contracts, or general matters please do not hesitate to contact myself at the nursery. Telephone numbers and email addresses are to be found in the Buyer's Guide.

Last page update:13 November, 2005