[Pil-pc-oceania] Vetiver grass (was: something about pallets)

[jedd]

On Thu, 23 Aug 2007, Linda Shewan wrote:
> Wondering if anyone has used vetiver grass as a shelter crop. They say
> Monto variety is sterile and no chance of becoming a weed. Sounds like it
> has excellent qualities but would like to be reassured that I wouldn't be
> introducing a potential weed into the environment.

 This is my understanding -- no seeds, minimal rhizome growth, so
 is pretty safe.  A root system that penetrates several metres, and
 a tolerance to being silted up (on one side) make it an ideal contour
 plant.

> Also, it is a tropical plant but does anyone know how far south it could
> grow - maybe as an annual. I figure the dying root mass would be a huge
> soil bonus in that case...

 I'm growing it in CZ 9b and it's survived two winters.  I think
 that's close to its limit, though, but may survive cooler if you can
 establish it strong early in spring.  The nature of the plant is that
 you're probably going to use it as a contour barrier, so it's likely
 more prone to frost rolling down and along it.

 Note that mine has grown ridiculously slowly.  It's in bad soil,
 minimal rain, even less in the way of irrigation (just to get it
 through the middle of summer 18 months ago), and has a fair
 bit of competition from Rhodes grass .. but still, I was expecting
 bigger things from it.

 I can't recall where I got mine from .. somewhere in Northern NSW,
 from memory.  I could hunt down the details in my files if you can't
 find the varietal.

 Jedd.