Lampshiner's grass - Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln

Fountain grass, officially known as Pennisetum alopecuroides, is an elegant ornamental grass that originates from Japan, Korea, China and Australia. This beautiful grass is known for its elegant fluffy flowers that give a classic look to the garden from summer to winter. With its spherical growth and height of approximately 75 cm, it is an ideal plant for both ground cover and as a solitary plant in a pot or border. Fountain grass thrives in both sun and partial shade and requires little maintenance. With its beautiful reddish-brown plumes that resemble old-fashioned fountain grasses, this grass adds a decorative and charming element to any garden.

The Lampenpoetsersgras likes a sip of water

The fountain grass has a moderate need for water and can withstand drought well. It is important to keep the soil slightly moist, especially during warm and dry periods. It is not necessary to keep the plant continuously wet, but make sure that the soil does not dry out. So water regularly, especially during long periods of warm and dry weather. When planting in a pot, it is important to check that the soil does not remain dry for too long, as pots dry out faster than the open ground. Therefore, make sure that the potting soil does not remain dry for more than two days, to keep the fountain grass healthy and beautiful.

Summer

During the summer it is very important that this plant, when it is outside, is kept well moist. Especially during the warm days it should be watered every day, so that the root ball is well moist. On the less warm days this can sometimes be skipped for a few days. This is so important because otherwise the plant 'drinks' moisture from its leaves, causing it to become dry and eventually die. This should of course be prevented.

Winter

When winter is upon us, the rules are reversed! If the Lampenpoetsersgras is outside, it must remain dry so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The Lampenpoetsersgras does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet (as in summer), but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the Lampenpoetsersgras weekly with water. However, we do not recommend this during warm summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These cause the leaves to dry out, or even burn through.
Aside from the detrimental effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, watering has beneficial effects for your Fountain Grass. Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to better absorb sunlight and appear more beautiful, and it prevents certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to plant the Lampenpoetsersgras?

The Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln, better known as fountain grass, thrives best in a sunny to semi-shaded spot in the garden. This ornamental grass enjoys plenty of sunlight, but can also grow well in some shade. The more sun it gets, the more lush the flowering will be. Fountain grass is ideal for a spot that can also be a bit windy, as it is resistant to wind. In addition, the grass prefers a nutrient-rich and well-drained soil, without water retention. For optimal growth and flowering, it is important to ensure a light, moist soil and sufficient drainage to prevent waterlogging. In short, fountain grass is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that thrives in various conditions.

Light

The Lampenpoetsersgras is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where light comes in. The Lampenpoetsersgras requires at least 1 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the Lampenpoetsersgras experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

During the day minimum -30 ℃
At night minimum -25 ℃

Repotting, why and when?

It is important to repot bottlebrush grass when the plant outgrows its current pot, or when the roots are clearly visible at the surface. A good indication for repotting is when the plant grows slowly or produces fewer flowers than normal.

When repotting your fountain grass, choose a pot that has a capacity of at least 10 to 20 litres. This gives the roots enough space to grow. Choose a pot with drainage holes to drain excess water and cover the bottom with pebbles to ensure good drainage. Repot the plant in the spring, when the first shoots are visible, for optimal growth and flowering. Give the plant sufficient water and nutrients after repotting, so that it can quickly adapt to its new environment and can root well.

General rules

When the Lampenpoetsersgras has taken root (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it in the spring. If it is always indoors, it does not matter. If it is outdoors, it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we advise against it in the autumn and winter, because it will not grow and take root optimally. This can make it somewhat weak, and it may suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your Lampenpoetsersgras, choose a nice pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot for better moisture control. It will be grateful for that. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean potting soil. This type of soil ensures that the Lampenpoetsersgras roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Aim for a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Provide the Lampenpoetsersgras with good nutrition

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) generally needs little extra nutrition. However, if the plant has been standing for a while or is flowering in a pot, it can be useful to give it some extra nutrition. This can be in the form of organic fertilizers such as compost or fertilizer pellets that are specifically suitable for ornamental grasses. In addition, it is important to water the plant regularly, especially in dry periods to prevent dehydration.

A good soil with sufficient nutrients is important for lamp cleaner grass. It is recommended to use a long-lasting fertilizer when planting to prepare the soil and provide the plant with the necessary nutrients. For plants in pots, it is advisable to use potting soil and fertilize regularly to ensure healthy growth. Furthermore, it is good to cut off the plant remains after the frost period in the spring to stimulate new shoots and provide the plant with a fresh start for the new growing season.

Diseases and pests

Fountain grass or Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln', is a beautiful and easy-care plant that is ideal for the garden or in pots on the patio. However, just like any other plant, this ornamental grass can also be affected by diseases and pests that can affect the growth and flowering of the plant.

A common problem with lamp cleaner grass is leaf spot disease. This is caused by bacteria or fungi that spread through water droplets on the leaves. To prevent this disease, it is important not to spray the plant from above and to ensure that the leaves can dry properly after a rain shower. If the plant does become infected, it is advisable to remove the affected parts of the plant and possibly use a fungicide.

Another problem that bottlebrush grass can encounter is rust. Rust is caused by a fungus and can be recognized by rusty brown spores on the leaves. To prevent rust, it is important to aerate the plant well, prune regularly and ensure that the plant is not too moist. If the plant does become infected, fungicides can be used to combat the fungus.

In addition to diseases, bottlebrush grass can also be affected by pests such as aphids, spider mites and caterpillars. Aphids can sit on the underside of the leaves of the plant and multiply quickly. They suck the juices from the plant and can cause the leaves to curl and deform. To combat aphids, they can be sprayed away with a hard jet of water or natural enemies such as ladybirds can be used.

Spider mites are another common pest in bottlebrush grass. These small mites suck the juices from the leaves and cause the leaves to shrivel and turn yellow. Spider mites thrive in warm, dry weather. To combat spider mites, the plant can be sprayed regularly with water to wash the mites away.

Finally, caterpillars can feed on the leaves of bottlebrush grass. This feeding damage can cause large holes in the leaves and reduced growth of the plant. To combat caterpillars, they can be removed by hand or natural enemies such as birds can be used.

In short, bottlebrush grass is a beautiful plant that can be sufficiently protected against diseases and pests with the right care and attention. Regular inspection and preventative measures can quickly solve problems and the plant can continue to shine in the garden.

How should you prune the Lampenpoetsersgras and when?

The leaves of the Lampenpoetsersgras will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to cut off an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate the Lampenpoetsersgras?

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is easy to propagate by dividing the clump. This is best done in the spring, when the first shoots are visible. Use a large knife to split the root ball into two or more pieces. For larger, mature clumps, it is better to use a spade. The new clumps can then be replanted in the garden or in pots. Make sure that the new plants get enough water in the beginning so that they can root well. With this method you can easily create more fountain grasses to beautify your garden or balcony.