Cylindrical Imperata Red Baron is used by amateur gardeners to give a beautiful appearance to the site.
The variety is unpretentious to weather conditions and care, has decorative characteristics, and also grows well, which facilitates reproduction. Red Baron is a perennial cereal crop.
Imperata cylindrical Red Baron variety description
Imperata cylindrical is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family. It is found under various names: reed imperata, cylindrical lagurus (Lagurus Cylindricus), cogon grass, casaro, alang-alang. In common parlance it is called red lightning, bloody Japanese grass. Red Baron (Imperata cylindrica Red Baron) is the most popular variety.
Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' photo
The maximum height of the plant is 80 cm; when grown in the garden, the height is limited to 30-50 cm. The stems are erect. The leaf blades resemble a wide knife blade: they are oblong with pointed tips, arranged alternately, directed upward, and have a hard texture. Young leaves are bright green at the base and with reddish tips; as they grow, the ruby hue covers the entire leaf blade.
In the natural environment it blooms in spring, adding attractiveness to the bush. This happens rarely, and in cultivated cultivation almost never. The flowering is a paniculate fluffy inflorescence of a silvery hue. The length of the panicle is about 15 cm. Do not be discouraged by the lack of flowering. Thanks to the bright colors and shape of the leaves, imperata will be a magnificent decoration for both a small summer cottage and a luxurious country house.
Its homeland is southeast Asia (Japan, China, Korea). Imperata can be found throughout the world in temperate regions. For US farmers it is a nasty weed.
general description
The perennial grass reaches a height of 80 cm. In countries with warm climates it is considered a weed. The stem is straight, the leaves are green, narrow, lanceolate. The leaves are arranged alternately, tapering towards the base. The sharp edges and elongated shape of the leaves resemble a knife blade. The roots are narrow. The inflorescence looks like a feathery panicle, spike-shaped, up to 15 cm long. The bases of the spikelet scales are covered with silvery hairs.
Features of the plant
The peculiarity of imperata, first of all, is its ability to spread quickly. The plant has a variety of uses in tropical countries. It is used in brewing. Decoctions from the plant are used for medical purposes, including for the treatment of the respiratory tract, digestive organs, and to strengthen the immune system. Imperata has hemostatic and diuretic properties. The root of the culture contains a certain amount of potassium, which makes it popular in cosmetology as an excellent moisturizing base.
Winter hardiness of Imperata cylindrical Red Baron
The plant is considered cold-resistant (can withstand temperatures down to -26 °C). It will not tolerate harsh winters (sharp temperature changes, severe frosts without lack of snow cover, icing).
The bushes become more and more beautiful every year, but in order to preserve them, in cold climates they will need shelter for the winter. With the onset of autumn cold weather, trim the stems, leaving about 10 cm above the soil surface. Then sprinkle with dry leaves or peat, cover with dense material (an old bedspread, blanket), and during the winter add additional snow on top. With the onset of spring warmth, remove the shelter.
Types and varieties
Imperata cylindrica
Imperata cylindrical
Homeland - Southeast Asia, Philippines, China, Japan. Place of growth: sands, sandy steppes. The species is winter-hardy. Imperata cylindrica is a tall perennial grass with a thin root system. The edges of the leaves are narrow and sharp. The inflorescence is a spectacular silvery thick spike-shaped pinnate panicle up to 15 cm long.
Imperata acuminate
Umbrella family. Perennial. Plant height up to 1 meter. The stem is tubular, with large three-fingered leaves at the base. The inflorescences consist of small snow-white or raspberry-pink flowers. Blooms in summer.
Red Baron
The Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' variety is popular. The height of the ornamental grass is up to 45 cm. The leaves grow vertically, their color is impressive - emerald with crimson ends. They acquire a crimson color as they grow, and by autumn the leaves become fiery red. It blooms rarely, with lush silvery spikelets. Unlike the original species, it reproduces slowly, using lateral shoots. A special feature is that the Red Baron Imperata plant has a tendency to form shoots with green leaves. They grow at a tremendous rate and must be dug up as soon as they are noticed so as not to harm the main plant.
Red Baron
Growing Imperata cylindrical from seeds
Imperata cylindrical seeds photo
Sowing seeds in the ground
In temperate climates, you can try sowing seeds in open ground in late spring. Choose a well-lit area. Loosen the soil, remove weeds, plant the seeds shallowly. Regular moisture will be required for the seeds to germinate. Thin out the seedlings if necessary.
Growing seedlings
Imperata cylindrical from seeds photo seedlings
Growing seedlings is safer. Sowing should begin at the end of March.
- You will need 1L pots and nutrient soil.
- Place the seeds sparingly (at a distance of 3-4 cm) on the surface of the soil, press lightly, and spray with a fine spray.
- To create a greenhouse effect, cover the top with film or glass, and do not forget to ventilate regularly.
- Provide air temperature at 24-25 °C, lighting should be diffused.
- When the sprouts appear, remove the cover.
- Water sparingly.
Transplant seedlings into open ground with the establishment of real heat, having previously hardened the seedlings for 10-12 days. Leave a distance between bushes of 30-40 cm.
Imperata - what kind of plant is it, how to plant it correctly in open ground
An alternative name for the plant is "red lightning".
And this is no coincidence. This designation has a direct connection with the appearance of the bush. It is a rosette of long, pointed leaves, colored bright red. Cereal belongs to the category of perennials. And this is one of its advantages. Having planted it once, you can admire it for a long time. The height of an adult plant reaches eighty centimeters. In some regions, imperata is considered a weed, and quite a problematic one, because it displaces all neighboring plants, including cultivated ones. In its natural environment, this shrub can be found in flat areas of areas with a mild, warm climate. Interestingly, in the natural environment the color of the leaves is green, but in plants specially grown on the site, a red pigment appears.
The plant in question is purely ornamental. Its leaves are not used as food for birds and animals and have no medicinal value.
Moreover, they are so hard that they can cause physical injury, so you should be careful with them
When planting a plant in open ground, do not forget to follow a number of rules:
- Select an area for planting that receives maximum sun exposure. Moreover, the duration of illumination during the day also plays an important role. It is under the influence of ultraviolet radiation that a unique red pigment is produced.
- Imperata is thermophilic, the optimal temperature for successful cultivation is from 20 to 27 degrees.
- The shrub is not particularly picky about the soil composition; the most important criteria are the presence of good drainage, as well as the ability to absorb excess water. The fact is that excess moisture and its stagnation are detrimental to the root system of this cereal.
- When planting a new plant, it is necessary to dig a hole of considerable depth. Its bottom is covered with a layer of organic fertilizer; mineral mixtures can also be added. After planting, the voids remaining in the pit are covered with earth, compacted, watered, and then covered with another layer of organic matter.
How to care for an impera
As mentioned earlier, the plant is unpretentious, and therefore easy to care for. It is enough to take into account the following nuances:
- Lighting.
Imperata loves sunlight. It not only has a beneficial effect on growth, but also provokes the appearance of a unique red tint on the leaves.
- Watering.
Too wet soil is not good. The main thing is to prevent the soil from drying out for a long time; the volume of one-time watering should be moderate.
- Feeding.
If you have applied enough fertilizer at the stage of planting in open ground, then the plant does not require further “doping”. Unless you can support its growth once a year. During the period of active leaf production.
- Trimming.
Watch for green leaves to appear. If you notice any, remove them, otherwise they will grow. Also, the length of the leaves is slightly reduced before wintering the bush. To do this, it is enough to cut about fifteen centimeters from each leaf and stem.
- Temperature regime.
For the summer period, it is enough for the air to warm up to 20-27 degrees. In winter, the bush will survive frosts down to -12 degrees. But if in your region such a low temperature is not the limit, and also in the event of a snowless winter, it is better to insulate the cereal. To do this, use a special film or breathable containers.
Remember that imperata grows very slowly, and therefore the flowering of the plant occurs in the third to fifth year of life. That's when it's most beautiful.
Imperata propagation methods
In captivity, there is only one way to obtain young plants - by dividing the root of an adult shrub. To do this, gardeners dig up the rhizome and carefully separate a small part from it. The separated root is placed in the prepared hole and that’s it, all that remains is to wait for young leaves to appear above the surface of the soil.
Imperata propagation by dividing the bush
How to divide an imperata bush photo
Dividing the bush is the most common method of propagation. The procedure is combined with replanting (when the bushes have grown well and the middle has begun to “bald”). Carry out the procedure in the spring. Carefully dig up the bush, being careful not to damage the roots. Divide into parts and plant.
Reproduction is carried out by simply dividing an adult bush. The division process itself is carried out at a time when the bushes have grown abundantly and in the middle have begun to become slightly bald. The following should be taken into account:
Distribution and habitats
The homeland of “Red Lightning” is the southeastern part of Asia (Korea, China, Japan). But thanks to its ability to grow very quickly, this cereal is now widespread in almost all corners of the world where the weather remains warm enough.
If for European countries “Red Lightning” is a favorite element of landscape design, then for the United States of America this grass is a real disaster and a threat to local farmers.
This weed (Americans call it cogon grass) instantly occupies wastelands and clearings, is carried along the sides of national highways by wind currents and displaces other meadow grasses.
The plant is completely unsuitable for use as food for both wild and farm animals due to its too sharp stems. It also makes nesting impossible for most birds.
Did you know? The resourceful natives of the island of New Guinea found excellent practical use for the sharp stems of imperata. It is dried and used to cover the roofs of houses. As you know, dry grass was used as a roofing material in Europe only until the end of the 19th century, but in Oceania, as well as some Asian, African and Latin American countries, this style is still in excellent use.
It must also be said that in tropical countries, “Red Lightning” usually reaches higher sizes than in the temperate climate zone, stretching up to 80-90 cm.
Planting and caring for Imperata cylindrica
How to plant
- If the soil is depleted, add humus or compost for digging a couple of weeks before planting;
- Dig planting holes according to the size of the root system;
- Place a little mineral fertilizer at the bottom (nitrophoska will do);
- Transfer the seedlings along with the earthen clod;
- Fill the rest of the space with earth, lightly compact it with your hands;
- Water well, when the water is absorbed, mulch the surface of the soil with a layer of peat about 3 cm.
Watering
Does not like waterlogged soil; moderate moisture will be required. Water more abundantly in the spring (during the formation of young shoots) and during severe summer drought.
Top dressing
When grown in fertile soil, no fertilizing is needed. Otherwise, feed 2-3 times per season. You can use complex mineral fertilizers or organic matter. At the beginning of the season, you should focus on the proportion of potassium; closer to autumn, use compost.
New green leaves should be removed - they grow quickly, but from a decorative point of view they have no value.
In landscape design
Arranging a garden requires careful planning and thoughtful plant selection.
It seems that the grains simply came into the garden from the surrounding fields and meadows, opened the gate, stepped over the threshold and settled in the garden, they look so natural and natural. In the area where cereals grow, there is constant life, movement, rustles and sounds. Grasses are the children of the sun, and no matter where they grew before they came to our garden, in distant prairies or in a neighboring meadow, they absorbed all his power and all his joy.
Imperata cylindrical successfully pleases flower growers, both in company with other crops and as a solo plant. The plant is capable of reviving any flower experiments of garden lovers with its original appearance. Brightly colored shrubs look charming together with multi-colored plants whose dominant foliage color echoes the color of the grass stripes. Attracting attention, imperata looks advantageous in combination with a lush green lawn or conifers. The brilliant imperata among the low-growing junipers looks original. Imperata's companions can be various crops: reed molinia, helenium, thripsacum, Gerardi's bearded man and many others. The “Red Baron” variety is widely used to form Japanese garden compositions.
Its beautiful silvery inflorescences are often collected for dry bouquets.
Care
Imperata cylindrical is not capricious and picky in care. Regular care after planting is extremely simple. Watering is moderate. In the fall, they are pruned, shortening the stems by about 10-15 cm. The soil near the root zone of imperata is covered with natural materials that rot over time, that is, mulched. Suitable for this purpose are mown grass, weeded weeds if they do not contain seeds, vegetable tops, chopped wood trimmings, semi-ripe compost, and animal mulch. Without mulch, the soil dries out easily, plants suffer from lack of water, and underground wildlife disappears. As a result, the soil becomes crusty and the so-called “concrete soil” is formed. Under a breathable layer of mulch, just a few centimeters thick, the soil remains loose and moist, weed growth is suppressed and nutrients are released into the soil through rotting. Adult bushes are sometimes renewed, they are dug up, and then the dead shoots are removed. Imperata cylindrical bushes and the Red Baron variety usually reach the peak of their beauty and elegance in the 5th year.
Landing rules
Growing imperata is not difficult, but there are still a number of features that you need to know. Then the plant will delight you with its decorative effect.
Selecting a location
- In order for Red Baron to maintain the brightness of its foliage and beautiful appearance, the planting site must be selected as well-lit as possible by sunlight.
- Growing in partial shade under the crown of tall shrubs is allowed, but it is under the sun that you can see all the beauty of the shades of bright red foliage.
- It is recommended to plant imperata on the western or southern side of the site, which is convenient. After all, not all garden plants are able to constantly be in direct sunlight from morning to evening.
- It is imperative to take into account that herbaceous bushes grow quickly and strongly. The Red Baron variety can be planted in tubs, and thus limit the excessive development of the root system.
Temperature
Imperata is a plant from Asian countries that can withstand frosts down to -26 degrees, but may not survive harsh winters and icing. To avoid death, care should be taken to cover the above-ground part during the winter months.
In summer and spring, the optimal temperature for successful growth and development should be between -25 - 27 degrees. In the autumn, prune and leave shoots 10 - 15 cm high. Place dry leaves on top of the crown, sprinkle with peat, then throw on burlap, or old blankets.
It’s especially good if the winter is snowy. In this case, constantly pour snow on top of the shelter. Then the imperata will successfully endure the cold.
Soil composition
The soil is preferably light and sandy
If the composition is poor enough, then feed with compost. It is important that there is looseness and lightness, good conductivity of air and moisture. It is not advisable to plant imperata in damp and swampy places where melt water accumulates or groundwater is too close to the soil surface. If you are not sure, then make a good drainage layer. Depending on your idea about the location of the imperata in the landscape, you can plant a specimen on a hill
This will only benefit the plant. Fertilizer during planting will provide the soil with the humus necessary for the growth of Imperata variety Red Baron. The acidity level should be weak or neutral. If the soil is acidic, then liming or adding dolomite flour.
Landing
Can be grown in several ways.
Seed method
- Immediately plant the seeds in open ground in the first half of April. First, clear the soil of weeds, loosen and level it.
- After planting, water thoroughly with rain to prevent the seeds from going deep into the soil.
- Constantly moisten the soil. This way the shoots will appear faster. After germination, thin out the imperata to avoid crowding.
- Some people grow seedlings in the third decade of March. A nutrient substrate is poured into pre-prepared 1-liter pots and the seed material is placed at intervals of 3-4 cm. The seeds are slightly pressed into the soil.
- Next, cover the containers with film or a piece of glass, creating a greenhouse effect. It is necessary to observe the temperature regime within +24 - 25 degrees.
- The lighting should not be too bright, diffused lighting is suitable, and moderate watering. When sprouts appear, the cover must be removed.
Harden off 1.5 - 2 weeks before planting in a permanent place. Take the sprouts out into the fresh air every day, gradually increasing the time they spend outside.
When planting, keep a gap between young shoots of at least 30 - 40 cm. If you are planting for the first time, try planting 1 plant first or in different places.
Dividing the bush
This method can be combined with rejuvenation of an adult bush. Usually the middle becomes bald over time. Therefore, this method helps to tidy up the plant. Plan the event for the spring
Carefully dig up the bush and divide it into equal parts. Try not to damage the root shoots
Place in prepared places.
Landing technology
Place some mineral complex fertilizers at the bottom of the planting holes. Use nitrophoska. It is better to transfer young plants by transferring them together with a lump of earth. The hole dug should correspond to the volume of the roots.
After planting, compact the soil with your hands to prevent voids from appearing. Then water and mulch with peat in a layer of no more than 3 cm.
Use of imperata in cosmetics
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract is rich in potassium and 3-dimethylsulfonylpropionate (DMSP).
It has a moisturizing effect and effectively maintains the required level of hydration for 24 hours after applying cosmetics containing it.
The extract is included in compositions for hair and skin care.
Among them, for example, is the innovative Biotulin gel, which is advertised as an alternative to painful Botox injections.
Products with imperata extract are recommended for use for dry hair and skin or as a base for makeup.
Imperata is good for dry skin
