2,455
edits
Changes
New page: __NOTOC__{{Plantbox | name = ''LATINNAME'' <!--- replace LATINNAME with the actual latin name --> | common_names = <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank --> | growth_habi...
__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
| name = ''LATINNAME'' <!--- replace LATINNAME with the actual latin name -->
| common_names = <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank -->
| growth_habit = ? <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
| high = ? <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
| wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
| origin = ? <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
| poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
| lifespan = <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
| exposure = ? <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
| water = ? <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
| features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
| hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
| bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
| usda_zones = ? <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
| sunset_zones = <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
| color = IndianRed
| image = Upload.png <!--- Freesia.jpg -->
| image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
| image_caption = <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
| regnum = Plantae <!--- Kingdom -->
| divisio = <!--- Phylum -->
| classis = <!--- Class -->
| ordo = <!--- Order -->
| familia = <!--- Family -->
| genus =
| species =
| subspecies =
| cultivar =
}}
{{Inc|
<!--- ******************************************************* -->
Pampas-Grass (Cortaderia argentea. which see. Vol. II, p. 856.). A showy tall perennial
subtropical grass grown for its whitish fluffy plumes of inflorescence; native in Argentina and
southern Brazil.
The growing of pampas plumes for profit in California has been undertaken for over forty years.
Pampas- grass was introduced into the United States about 1848. In the northern states it is
frequently planted on the lawn in summer, and upon the approach of cold weather transferred in a
tub to a cellar for winter protection. In California, a hill will sometimes attain a height of
20 feet, a diameter as great, and a weight of 2,000 pounds. Such plants would be very
inconvenient for our northern friends to handle in the cellar.
Plants are easily produced from seed, but as the sex and variety are very uncertain, stock is
usually increased by dividing the female plants, the plumes of which are much more beautiful
than those of the male. The growing of pampas-grass in North America on a commercial scale dates
from 1874. when the difference in sex was discovered. In 1872 the writer sowed seed which in two
years gave several hundred plume-bearing plants. Even then the variations in color and fineness
were very marked. In 1874, it was found that by pulling the immature plumes from the sheaths and
exposing them to the hot sun, the male plumes would hang heavily like oats, while the female
plumes would become fluffy, and light and airy. In November, 1874, samples of the female plumes
were sent to Peter Henderson & Co., New York. Three hundred were ordered at once, and the
following day instructions were received to double the order and send by express. This was the
first lot of good plumes
ever sent east California, and was the beginning of the present pampas industry. The writer's
plantation was increased each year until 1889, when it comprised about 5,000 hills. There were a
number of other extensive plantations in the neighborhood of Santa Barbara. The crop of 1889 was
estimated at 1,000,000 plumes. The demand has been good, but the prices have never been so high
as at the beginning of the industry. The first prices were $200 for 1,000 plumes. The decrease
in price was gradual until 1886, when sales were slow at $30 for 1,000 plumes. Some of the
growers did not harvest their crops that year, and destroyed their plants. In the fall of 1887
plumes were in demand at $40 the 1,000, and in 1888 they were scarce at $50 and $60 the 1,000.
The following spring there was an increase in acreage. Since then the industry has had its ups
and downs, and the price has ruled low for several years, the present prices being $9 to $10 for
first- class, and $5 to $6 for second size.
Pampas-grass should be put on the best valley land, and set 10 by 16 feet apart. Before
planting, the ground should be deeply plowed and put in first-class condition. In selecting
stock, divide only female plants that produce the finest white plumes. Young hills produce the
best plants. From old hills the best plants are obtained around the outside, those in the center
of the stool being mostly worthless unless planted in large clumps.
Some plumes will be produced the first, year after planting. They will not be first-class, but
are worth saving. The second year, if well grown, they should produce 80 to 150 plumes to the
hill. Not all plantations will yield this much. The third and fourth years there will not be
much change in the yield. As a plant gets older the plumes are larger but the yield is less.
After 8 to 10 years a quantity of dead matter will have accumulated, and the hills should be
trimmed or burned.
The appearance of the plumes is a signal for great activity among those who have large fields.
The grass should be so trimmed early in September, before the plumes appear, that each hill will
be easy of access. Young plants ripen their plumes two or three weeks earlier than old ones, and
some varieties are earlier than others. It requires exercise of judgment to pick the plumes at
the proper time. They are generally ready when they are exposed from the husk a few inches and
have a fluffy look. It is well to try a few at this stage, and if they cure well at the stem end
when dry they are all right, but if they do not become fluffy at the stem end they have been
picked too young. If the plume looks dark and seedy at the top when cured, it was too old when
picked. Some varieties, especially those producing very long plumes, should be allowed to remain
somewhat longer on the plant than those of the short-plumed varieties. By trying a few of each
variety, the time of ripening can soon be ascertained. Some varieties are pulled from the husk
in the field; others have to be hauled to husking benches, where the husk or sheath is removed.
Some planters husk them like corn: others use a knife set in such a way as to split the husk
without injuring the plume. When the husk has been split, a quick jerk or strike on the table
will extract the plume. The plumes are then taken to the drying ground and evenly spread in long
rows. This ground should be made smooth and free from any trash that is liable to adhere to the
plumes. Clean stubble ground is the best. The plumes are left on the ground three days and two
nights to cure, and are turned and shaken once each day. They are next packed away as broadly
and smoothly as possible on shelves in a dry building, where they should lie ten days or two
weeks, or until the stems are thoroughly dried, at which time they are ready for market. They
are packed in two grades: the first class, having plumes 26 inches long and over, clear of stem
(sometimes as long as 45 inches), is packed in cases that hold three-quarters of a ton and
contain 3.000 plumes; second-class stock is packed in cases of the same size, the plumes being
17 to 26 inches long clear of stem, and 6,000 in each case. If shipping by express, the writer
uses bales of about 2,000 plumes, covered with canvas or burlap and some light strips of wood at
the corners. If the plumes are packed smoothly and evenly they will withstand heavy pressure.
Careful all-round cultivation is necessary to produce good plumes.
The best market at present is London, the next Hamburg. Berlin, Denmark, New York and
Philadelphia take a few. Pampas plumes are colored in London. In America the pure white plumes
give the best satisfaction.
Joseph Sexton.
{{SCH}}
}}
==Cultivation==
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
===Propagation===
{{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
===Pests and diseases===
{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
==Species==
<!-- This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc -->
==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery -->
<gallery>
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>
==References==
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
==External links==
*{{wplink}}
{{stub}}
[[Category:Categorize]]
<!-- in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions! -->
| name = ''LATINNAME'' <!--- replace LATINNAME with the actual latin name -->
| common_names = <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank -->
| growth_habit = ? <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
| high = ? <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
| wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
| origin = ? <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
| poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
| lifespan = <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
| exposure = ? <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
| water = ? <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
| features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
| hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
| bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
| usda_zones = ? <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
| sunset_zones = <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
| color = IndianRed
| image = Upload.png <!--- Freesia.jpg -->
| image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
| image_caption = <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
| regnum = Plantae <!--- Kingdom -->
| divisio = <!--- Phylum -->
| classis = <!--- Class -->
| ordo = <!--- Order -->
| familia = <!--- Family -->
| genus =
| species =
| subspecies =
| cultivar =
}}
{{Inc|
<!--- ******************************************************* -->
Pampas-Grass (Cortaderia argentea. which see. Vol. II, p. 856.). A showy tall perennial
subtropical grass grown for its whitish fluffy plumes of inflorescence; native in Argentina and
southern Brazil.
The growing of pampas plumes for profit in California has been undertaken for over forty years.
Pampas- grass was introduced into the United States about 1848. In the northern states it is
frequently planted on the lawn in summer, and upon the approach of cold weather transferred in a
tub to a cellar for winter protection. In California, a hill will sometimes attain a height of
20 feet, a diameter as great, and a weight of 2,000 pounds. Such plants would be very
inconvenient for our northern friends to handle in the cellar.
Plants are easily produced from seed, but as the sex and variety are very uncertain, stock is
usually increased by dividing the female plants, the plumes of which are much more beautiful
than those of the male. The growing of pampas-grass in North America on a commercial scale dates
from 1874. when the difference in sex was discovered. In 1872 the writer sowed seed which in two
years gave several hundred plume-bearing plants. Even then the variations in color and fineness
were very marked. In 1874, it was found that by pulling the immature plumes from the sheaths and
exposing them to the hot sun, the male plumes would hang heavily like oats, while the female
plumes would become fluffy, and light and airy. In November, 1874, samples of the female plumes
were sent to Peter Henderson & Co., New York. Three hundred were ordered at once, and the
following day instructions were received to double the order and send by express. This was the
first lot of good plumes
ever sent east California, and was the beginning of the present pampas industry. The writer's
plantation was increased each year until 1889, when it comprised about 5,000 hills. There were a
number of other extensive plantations in the neighborhood of Santa Barbara. The crop of 1889 was
estimated at 1,000,000 plumes. The demand has been good, but the prices have never been so high
as at the beginning of the industry. The first prices were $200 for 1,000 plumes. The decrease
in price was gradual until 1886, when sales were slow at $30 for 1,000 plumes. Some of the
growers did not harvest their crops that year, and destroyed their plants. In the fall of 1887
plumes were in demand at $40 the 1,000, and in 1888 they were scarce at $50 and $60 the 1,000.
The following spring there was an increase in acreage. Since then the industry has had its ups
and downs, and the price has ruled low for several years, the present prices being $9 to $10 for
first- class, and $5 to $6 for second size.
Pampas-grass should be put on the best valley land, and set 10 by 16 feet apart. Before
planting, the ground should be deeply plowed and put in first-class condition. In selecting
stock, divide only female plants that produce the finest white plumes. Young hills produce the
best plants. From old hills the best plants are obtained around the outside, those in the center
of the stool being mostly worthless unless planted in large clumps.
Some plumes will be produced the first, year after planting. They will not be first-class, but
are worth saving. The second year, if well grown, they should produce 80 to 150 plumes to the
hill. Not all plantations will yield this much. The third and fourth years there will not be
much change in the yield. As a plant gets older the plumes are larger but the yield is less.
After 8 to 10 years a quantity of dead matter will have accumulated, and the hills should be
trimmed or burned.
The appearance of the plumes is a signal for great activity among those who have large fields.
The grass should be so trimmed early in September, before the plumes appear, that each hill will
be easy of access. Young plants ripen their plumes two or three weeks earlier than old ones, and
some varieties are earlier than others. It requires exercise of judgment to pick the plumes at
the proper time. They are generally ready when they are exposed from the husk a few inches and
have a fluffy look. It is well to try a few at this stage, and if they cure well at the stem end
when dry they are all right, but if they do not become fluffy at the stem end they have been
picked too young. If the plume looks dark and seedy at the top when cured, it was too old when
picked. Some varieties, especially those producing very long plumes, should be allowed to remain
somewhat longer on the plant than those of the short-plumed varieties. By trying a few of each
variety, the time of ripening can soon be ascertained. Some varieties are pulled from the husk
in the field; others have to be hauled to husking benches, where the husk or sheath is removed.
Some planters husk them like corn: others use a knife set in such a way as to split the husk
without injuring the plume. When the husk has been split, a quick jerk or strike on the table
will extract the plume. The plumes are then taken to the drying ground and evenly spread in long
rows. This ground should be made smooth and free from any trash that is liable to adhere to the
plumes. Clean stubble ground is the best. The plumes are left on the ground three days and two
nights to cure, and are turned and shaken once each day. They are next packed away as broadly
and smoothly as possible on shelves in a dry building, where they should lie ten days or two
weeks, or until the stems are thoroughly dried, at which time they are ready for market. They
are packed in two grades: the first class, having plumes 26 inches long and over, clear of stem
(sometimes as long as 45 inches), is packed in cases that hold three-quarters of a ton and
contain 3.000 plumes; second-class stock is packed in cases of the same size, the plumes being
17 to 26 inches long clear of stem, and 6,000 in each case. If shipping by express, the writer
uses bales of about 2,000 plumes, covered with canvas or burlap and some light strips of wood at
the corners. If the plumes are packed smoothly and evenly they will withstand heavy pressure.
Careful all-round cultivation is necessary to produce good plumes.
The best market at present is London, the next Hamburg. Berlin, Denmark, New York and
Philadelphia take a few. Pampas plumes are colored in London. In America the pure white plumes
give the best satisfaction.
Joseph Sexton.
{{SCH}}
}}
==Cultivation==
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
===Propagation===
{{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
===Pests and diseases===
{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
==Species==
<!-- This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc -->
==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery -->
<gallery>
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>
==References==
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
==External links==
*{{wplink}}
{{stub}}
[[Category:Categorize]]
<!-- in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions! -->