Pampas grass

[Mrs Ava]

There is one in one of the gardens I work in, and it has never flowered in the 4 years they have had it.  Any ideas?  Their garden is shady, and like the rest of us, dry in the summer.  I couldn't tell you the acidity of the soil, however, a rodi died earlier this year and their hydrangeas are all very pink, so I am figuring it isn't acidic.  The good lady has given it a serious haircut - hacking it down to little more than a green stump.  What advice can I give them?

[Mrs Ava]

[wahaj]

i understand they like to be in rich moist soil at all times. obviously not waterlogged.....but moist soil which a bit of organic matter in it. and i know someone that had problems with a couple of their grasses flowering....and tomato food made them flower.

[Palustris]

They take a few years too, to recover from hacking down, so best leave them alone and as suggested feed, feed, feed. Since they are open plains plants they also do rather like a lot of sun on them.

[Mrs Ava]

So the fact that she hacks it back every year is the problem!  They do feed their ground with slow release fertiliser granuals, I shall point them in the direction of a more direct feed come spring.  I shall also tell the lady of the house to leave the gardening to her gardener!  ;)

[teresa]

Full sun is the key, they will take dry ground no problem and thrive their roots go down. I had one years ago and would cut that back as it would go over the path ( which all used) just the leaves with garden shears.
To see children grab the leaves then let go never to touch it again leathal they are. Birds would strip my plumbs as soon as they opened.
4 years old you could try to move it in a few months when totaly dorment to full sun but get someone to help you if it is big.

[flowerlady]

I know this suggestion can be contentious however ...

... while abroad I saw that some grasses had been burnt out ... the ensuing shoots were extremely green and healthy  ;)...

... perhaps a little potash would be the answer?   :-\

[teresa]

Flowerlady,
Your right, they use to burn it down in the winter to clean the dead leaves stems etc. Then found out many hedghogs and others use to hibernate under the plants so the burning stopped. I had forgot about that one? old age hee hee :-[

[flowerlady]

addendum ... be sure to check for hedgehogs  ;) ;D

[Mrs Ava]

 ;D  As they have visiting hedgehogs, a bonfire would be out of the question.  Lots of great suggestions, one being to try and get it out in the sun as it is in a shady spot.  The next is to tell them to stop keep hacking the poor thing back, and of course, in spring, feedfeedfeed!  The leaves are like razor blades and I have had many a run in with pampas and ended up with cut cheeks!  I shall be in full body armour when I move the monster!

[teresa]

EJ, 
get a old double sheet and wrap the darn thing up and tie it.
It will save you being cut to ribbons.

[Mrs Ava]

good idea Teresa!  I must try and remember to take my camera to take some snaps!