Miscanthus Update (Updated Picts)

[Central Iowa]

Here are some pictures showing how the Miscanthus is doing so far. We planted the rhizomes on April 16 and we have an average of 6 inches of growth on most in one month. Here is the definition of a rhizome (they are a under ground stem: a thick underground horizontal stem that produces roots and has shoots that develop into new plants.) The first picture shows what they look like.
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/RhizomeCloseup.JPG
I planted the rhizomes 3 foot apart and 2-3” deep. Hopefully this should form a nice wall that could be as tall as 12 foot and add a secure feeling to the plot as well as screening for access to and from stands.
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/MiscanthusLayOut.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/Rhizome.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/MiscanthusMay17.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/2008May17.JPG
Stay tuned for future updates. It appears now the biggest hurdle will be winter survival as the first winter is supposed to be the hardest.

[dbltree]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stay tuned for future updates. It appears now the biggest hurdle will be winter survival as the first winter is supposed to be the hardest. </div></div>

Very interesting stuff Travis! I'm really curious as heck about this stuff but...can't we give it a name I can actually pronounce?? /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Keep us posted! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif

[Critter]

Can you give a rough cost per plant Travis?

[Central Iowa]

Current prices look to be at 6-9 dollars each with volume discount up to 25% for large orders.

[bowhuntr311]

And your planting this for bedding/cover?

After looking around for it from google, looks like it would be a great screening plant for a plot from the roads.

Dean

[nannyslayer]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dbltree</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

...can't we give it a name I can actually pronounce?? /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

</div></div>

We could call it really tall crap the round up probably won't kill /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

[Fishbonker]

Have the deer been leaving it alone or are they browsing it?

The 'Bonker

[dbltree]

The more I look at this stuff the more curious I am of it! Really like to see how it holds up under heavy winter snows, ice and wind but winter pics I have seen show it still standing.

This link has a "Growers Guide" in it that is worth opening and reading.

Miscanthus studies (http://miscanthus.uiuc.edu/)

Miscanthus FAQ (http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/miscanthus/miscanthus.html)

Giant Miscanthus (http://www.news.uiuc.edu/NEWS/05/0927miscanthus.html)

Miscanthus x giganteus (http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/grasses/msg1212144432588.html)

[turkeyriver]

When I see the word Rhizome I think of wirestem muhly. That's a grassy plant that was running rampant in crop fields before R'up came along. It took a few years of repeated R'up to control it. I hope this stuff doesn't get away.

[Central Iowa]

Yes we we wondered about that as well before we decided to get it. It is sterile and non invasive. Stands have been producing in Illinois for 18 plus years. We corresponded with researchers from two midwest colleges before we decided to try it.

Quote from the University of Illinois Website<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> At a research station near Hornum, Denmark, giant Miscanthus has been grown for 22 years in Europe’s longest-running experimental field. The crop has never been invasive and rhizome spread has been no more than 1.5 meters (4.92 feet), said Uffe Jorgensen, senior scientist for the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences.</div></div>

[Central Iowa]

'Bonker no browsing so far though one tester did have some dug up by racoons.

[goatman]

Anybody interested in playing with a small amount of this stuff can look at item #130226896367 on Ebay. I ordered 6 pairs at $4.25 a pair. They sent more than 12 pairs. Some are not as big as Central Iowa's but they are starting to sprout off the rhizome alittle. Several were good size. Anyway planted today and we'll see. Needed a screen for my shed from the paintball gunners.

[Sligh1]

That sounds like an amazing price.
QUESTION- I have areas that flood a couple times a year, CIR switchgrass is great in that area. BUT there's some areas along the road I would like the Miscanthus, does anyone know if it would hold up like CIR does on wet ground? THANKS!

[dbltree]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sligh1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That sounds like an amazing price.
QUESTION- I have areas that flood a couple times a year, CIR switchgrass is great in that area. BUT there's some areas along the road I would like the Miscanthus, does anyone know if it would hold up like CIR does on wet ground? THANKS! </div></div>

What I know about this stuff wouldn't fill the head of a pin /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif

but...I suspect it would thrive on your place!

I did find this from a nursery in England however:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mammoth Miscanthus
Miscanthus x giganteus
This magnificent screening plant, similar to Bamboo in appearance, forms a thick impenetrable barrier and an excellent wind break that due to the flexibility of its growth actually filters or breaks up the wind unlike rigid physical barriers.

Within 15 months can be 15ft in height!

Rich green Summer foliage is topped by beautiful arching sprays of silky russet pink flowers like a fine pampas grass - have no worry though, these won't seed themselves all over the place! Neither is it invasive like pampas or bamboo. In Winter the foliage takes on a russet gold colour. This really makes a splendid thick bushy screen.

Plant 2 feet apart from mid May - September.
Ultimate height 15 feet. Can be trimmed to any height above 4 feet.
Ultimate width 4 feet. Can be trimmed to any width over 2 feet.
Grows well in most soil types (including chalky and clay) except those prone to laying very wet.

Suitable for most aspects from full sun to partial shade. Does not perform well in dense shade.
Suitable for coastal areas.
Performs well in windy positions.
Plant Spring / Summer (generally available mid May - September).
Due to the reduced growing season, Mammoth Miscanthus will not achieve its full height in Scotland and Northern England.

</div></div>

I'm thinking that your ground is not "swampy wet" but only some brief flooding?

I would try a few plants and see how they do.

I also wonder about herbicides...if it would be tolerant of the same herbicides as switchgrass?

I'm pretty sure it would thrive on rich 87 CSR soil... /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Miscanthus studies (http://miscanthus.uiuc.edu/)

Miscanthus FAQ (http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/miscanthus/miscanthus.html)

Giant Miscanthus (http://www.news.uiuc.edu/NEWS/05/0927miscanthus.html)

Miscanthus x giganteus (http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/grasses/msg1212144432588.html)

Propagation Studies. (http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2005am/techprogram/P6643.HTM)

Performance of 15 Miscanthus Genotypes (http://agron.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/93/5/1013)

Miscanthus and Projections for Illinois (http://www.ace.uiuc.edu/pERE/conference/papers/long.pdf)

[nannyslayer]

Central Iowa, just wondering if you have an update on this stuff or not, any recent pictures of it?

[Central Iowa]

Sure I will take some picts. next chance I get.

[ibohunt65]

I planted 75 this spring and 80% of it is doing well. With the big flooding this spring, it was under about 3 ft of water for a week. About 50% survived with the leaves still green. On some, the leaves are brown but it may come back. I'll just have to wait and see.

[OneCam]

I thought I would share a picture taken this weekend of our Miscanthus - this was planted around May 1st.

http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3003/medium/Miscanthus1.JPG

This is one of the more impressive clumps in the bunch /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif

[dbltree]

Wow! Stuff is really taking off!

Looks clean around that plant...using any herbicide to control weeds Chris?

[OneCam]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Looks clean around that plant...using any herbicide to control weeds Chris? </div></div>

A good dose of atrazine /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif

[Central Iowa]

Most of my plants are in the 3 to 3 1/2 foot range, and few are over 5 foot. I didn't spray mine untill this past weekend with a mix of 24d and atrazine I will update again in 2-3 weeks.
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3071/medium/MG1.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3071/medium/MG2.JPG

[Central Iowa]

While at work today I found one of those hidden treasures that your around all the time and don't even know it's there. I have drove by this Miscanthus for all 5 years of it's existance walked by it probably half a dozen times but while on the phone today I picked up a brochure while standing in the lobby of Reiman Gardens in Ames and was reading about their biofuel tour of grasses, etc. and noticed they had Giant Miscanthus listed. So to truck for the camera I went then talked to one of the staff about it. They have never been split and are 5 years old. This stuff is thick and tall (well over 12 foot). If mine ends up even close to this in a few years I will be very happy. They had some that was older that looked great as well but not in the best spot for pictures. If you are driving past Reiman Gardens in Ames North of highway 30 next to Jack Trice stadium you can't miss it if you are looking for it.
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/100_2079.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/100_2075.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/100_2080.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/100_2081.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/100_2083.JPG
http://www.iowawhitetail.com/photopost/data/3090/medium/100_2085.JPG

[muddy]

That looks like Cambodian jungle.

[dbltree]

Wow!! That's impressive! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

[Skully]

HOLY HABITAT!!! That would be a weed-eaters worst nightmare! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif Great photos!

[bowhuntr311]

Thats the some nice looking stuff. I hope yours looks like that in a year or two.

Dean

[JNRBRONC]

Maybe we will be seeing lots more of this stuff in the future.
Des Moines Register article (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/BUSINESS/809030346/1029)

ISU ag researchers see tall biomass potential

By DAN PILLER • dpiller@dmreg.com • September 3, 2008


Ames, Ia. — Switchgrass has been the buzzword for at least a couple of years as the logical successor to corn as the next-generation source for ethanol feed.

But keep watching miscanthus, described by Iowa State University agronomist Emily Heaton as a "cold-weather sugar cane." Miscanthus is believed to have double the potential fuel yield of switchgrass and — best of all — it doesn't seem to mind cold weather or frost.

"Miscanthus has been used to breed greater cold tolerances into sugar cane," said Heaton, a native Illinoisan who joined the ISU agronomy faculty this year after working for a California firm that develops grasses for fuel feedstock.

While switchgrass has proved itself in Iowa's climate during the centuries, miscanthus is a rookie to the state. It has been grown in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Quebec. But it doesn't have a test history in Iowa.

Several healthy stands of miscanthus, which can grow up to 12 feet tall, dot the Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farm west of Ames. ISU researchers need to find out some basic things about miscanthus, such as the best time to plant and harvest it or how best to fertilize and grow the crop.

Heaton said switchgrass or miscanthus can't be grown as a winter crop after corn and soybeans are harvested. The two-year period needed to create good stands of either grass suggests that farmers would need to dedicate fields specifically for the grass crops rather than using them as fill-in crops between seasons.

A major issue is the bulkiness of the grasses. While corn is easy to load and move, grasses are bulky, take up a lot of space and have the potential to create large transport costs.

"That's a big problem with either switchgrass or miscanthus," said graduate student Andy Heggenstaller, who will receive a doctorate degree from ISU later this year and now tends the farm's switchgrass crop.

"The stuff is so bulky that we need to figure out how to compact it for transportation."

So far, pelleting is considered the most likely destiny of switchgrass once it becomes a fuel feedstock, but the industry hasn't yet settled on a consensus.

Switchgrass is attractive because it can be grown easily in all kinds of weather and unlike corn, isn't food for either humans or animals. But Heggenstaller said that while switchgrass will make a decent fuel, it won't make as much ethanol as corn.

Miscanthus, on the other hand, holds the potential to make up to 2times as much ethanol per ton as corn. A University of Illinois study in 2005 showed that using corn or switchgrass to produce enough ethanol to offset 20 percent of gasoline use — a current federal government goal — would take 25 percent of current U.S. cropland out of food production.

Nobody knows for sure what kind of financial market switchgrass or miscanthus would generate, but early indications are that at full potential it could produce fuel at the equivalent price of $25 per barrel for oil, a price not seen on world markets for more than five years.

Miscanthus would require only 9.3 percent of current agricultural acreage to achieve the same gasoline equivalent production. While miscanthus is a cousin of sugar cane, it isn't edible.

ISU and Illinois aren't the only universities in the biomass research derby. The University of Northern Iowa's Tallgrass Prairie Center has received $612,222 in state money from the new Iowa Power Fund to research different types of grasses for biofuels. The decade-old center has already done work on roadside grasses and prairie restoration.

Prairieland Enterprises of Centerville is developing plans for a switchgrass pellet facility.

Monsanto, Deere & Co. and Archer Daniels Midland last week announced a joint project to study the use of corn stover — the stalks, husks, ears and other byproducts of the corn plant — that can be made into cellulosic ethanol.

That study follows a similar collaboration between Pioneer Hi-Bred of Johnston and Poet, the ethanol maker from Brookings, S.D. Poet plans to build a cellulosic ethanol plant at its current corn-fed facility at Emmetsburg. That plant, scheduled to go on line sometime in 2010, would be Iowa's first cellulosic ethanol plant.

How far into the future switchgrass or miscanthus may take over from corn as the prime ethanol fuel feedstock is open to question. Theodore Crosbie, vice president of global plant breeding for Monsanto, plans to tell the ISU Bioeconomy Conference next week that corn will be the prime feedstock for ethanol for at least the next 10 years.

Comments like that are fighting words to the growing legion of corn-based biofuel opponents, who blame ethanol for driving up food prices, taking increasing amounts of cropland and rely on subsidies given ethanol blenders and mandates for ethanol use.

John Reilly, a lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said of ethanol, "You're creating a very big industry that's more costly than it needs to be and will want to keep its subsidies."

[huntdoc]

Any update on how this stuff turned out? Did the snow/wind knock it down?

[Central Iowa]

The stuff we planted this year is pretty small yet. I noticed the mature stuff at ISU is still standing strong. I will get some picts. soon and keep checking throughout the winter.