Slender Reed

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Reed, widespread in areas with subtropical and temperate climates, grows well both in coastal zones and in water bodies. It is a great decoration element for garden ponds decorated in a wonderful landscape style. Reeds will add a natural flavor to almost any water composition. It will look especially good when surrounded by eichornia, water lilies and egg-pods

Getting to know the plant

Reed is an excellent representative of the sedge family. This tall perennial is endowed with a triangular or cylindrical stem, reaching a height of 2.5 meters, as well as velvety brown cobs.

The flowers of the reed are bisexual, in spikelets and form capitate, paniculate or umbellate inflorescences.

It should be noted that reeds and cattails belonging to completely different families are often confused with reeds.

On the territory of Russia, you can meet several types of reeds: forest, rooting, lacustrine, eastern, Colchis, Vihury, bristle, Maksimovich, etc. And in total there are about three hundred species of this rather attractive plant in the world.

Using reeds

In addition to being great for decorating numerous ponds, reeds can also be used as a terrarium and potted plant. And dry reeds look great in various compositions and bouquets. Also, carpets, handbags and baskets are woven from it, which can become a worthy decoration for any interior. Reed is no less successfully used for decorative finishing of products woven from a vine.

As a rule, reed leaves are taken for weaving. To make wicker creations a pleasant green color, the leaves are cut in July. And to get products of a rich yellow color, the leaves are harvested in late August or early September.

The rhizomes of reeds contain starch in a fairly large amount, which is why in the old days flour was ground from dry rhizomes, which was then mixed with rye flour when baking bread. Birds often feed on the fruits of this plant. And in the last century, reeds were also used in the production of various building materials, however, mainly in rural construction.

How to grow

For growing reeds, soils with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction will be most preferred. This plant grows well in swampy coastal zones or in shallow areas of various water bodies. Despite the fact that the reeds are very supportive of sunlight, they will feel good in shaded areas too.

Varietal varieties of reeds are more demanding compared to common types. To prevent them from freezing in winter, they need to be covered. Experienced gardeners recommend growing reeds in specially designed containers, which are submerged to the bottom of reservoirs immediately after planting. Those varieties that are grown in pots and in coastal areas need regular spraying from a spray bottle and fairly abundant watering. Top dressing with various mineral fertilizers will also have a good effect on the development of reeds - when choosing such dressings, it is important to make sure that there is no calcium in their composition.

Varietal varieties reproduce by dividing the bushes in autumn or spring. Ordinary species reeds can be propagated by seeds.

When caring for reeds, it is very important to timely limit its excessive growth, otherwise it can capture the entire reservoir. And with the onset of late autumn, the stems of this plant should be cut with a pruner and burned.

In general, the reed has a fairly good resistance to pests and various diseases, but occasionally it can be attacked by spider mites or aphids. If such a nuisance still occurs, it is recommended to treat the reeds with a weak solution of the notorious Bordeaux liquid.