Cultivation Premises

Miscanthus has similar requirements to the soil and the climate like maize, so it bails out its enormous growth only on good to excellent farmland. Humous loamy soil with good water supply and an average rainfall from 700 to 900mm are the minimum requirement for an accelerated but balanced growth.

Inappropriate is farmland with a mean annual temperature below 7 degree Celsius, a sea level above 700 meters and locations with numerous glazed and ground frost as well as compressed an watery places.

Weed Control

There is the need for weed control during the first two years. Efforts of maize-like herbicides or careful use of mechanical-processes like raking and grooming, could help to degrade weeds.

Plantation of Miscanthus

Unlike other fruit-types, Miscanthus is a very inelegant agricultural crop. The amount of work is highest in the first year (because of the plantation-process) and decreasing the following time. There’s need for weed control during the first two years.

The rhizomes should be planted as soon as possible after the extraction to avoid dehydration! A soil-temperature of about 10 degree Celsius (April/May) is capable because the rhizomes become bedded out in about 8cm depth. The plantation has to be done with an interspace of 1x1meter which means, that there’s a demand for 10.000 rhizomes per hectare.

Fertilization

In principle the need for nitrogen or fertilizers is quite low because of the retention capacity of the rhizomes. But if use is planned, this should be done shortly after the crop. (Nitrogen for faster growth and potash for higher resistibility.) Use of liquid manure is not advisable.

Harvest

Harvest-time is between end of April to May. During this period the water content should be below 20% to counter heating up or mold while storage. Concerning the usage, M. could be chaffed or pressed into bales.