A more detailed grow guide: http://www.erowid.org/plants/phalaris/phalaris_info1.shtml
Seed Storage: I am keeping my seeds in a small plastic bag in the refrigerator. I don't know if this is the best, but for most seeds it is. I have read this is the best way to store them for longevity.
Germination: These seeds germinate really easily as with most grass seeds. Spread them on the soil,and bury them a little bit. I rub my hand across the soil mixing them, and burying them in the soil a little bit. It is important to water the seeds often enough to make sure the soil does not dry up. You cannot over water this type of grass so be generous with the water at the begging.
General: In order to increase alkaloid content, you want to fertilize them with a high nitrogen soil (urea is great!) but otherwise have them in poor soil. Shading, cutting, and drought also increase alkaloid content in the plants.
Harvesting the plant material: Once they have reached the stage at which you want to harvest them, cut the grass down, and let it grow back. After the grass has been cut, you want to put it in ideal conditions for a few days to get it growing again.
I'll update this continuously as the plants I am growing at the moment get significantly larger from the picture of them from the last update.
Picture 1.
The seeds are just starting to sprout. This is a picture of some of the first sprouts.
Picture 2.
All of the seeds have sprouted, they are growing pretty fast and I have transplanted some dormant Phalaris Arundinacea var. Picta grass into some yogurt cans and are just starting to get some small leafs.
Seed Storage: I am keeping my seeds in a small plastic bag in the refrigerator. I don't know if this is the best, but for most seeds it is. I have read this is the best way to store them for longevity.
Germination: These seeds germinate really easily as with most grass seeds. Spread them on the soil,and bury them a little bit. I rub my hand across the soil mixing them, and burying them in the soil a little bit. It is important to water the seeds often enough to make sure the soil does not dry up. You cannot over water this type of grass so be generous with the water at the begging.
General: In order to increase alkaloid content, you want to fertilize them with a high nitrogen soil (urea is great!) but otherwise have them in poor soil. Shading, cutting, and drought also increase alkaloid content in the plants.
Harvesting the plant material: Once they have reached the stage at which you want to harvest them, cut the grass down, and let it grow back. After the grass has been cut, you want to put it in ideal conditions for a few days to get it growing again.
I'll update this continuously as the plants I am growing at the moment get significantly larger from the picture of them from the last update.
Picture 1.
The seeds are just starting to sprout. This is a picture of some of the first sprouts.
Picture 2.
All of the seeds have sprouted, they are growing pretty fast and I have transplanted some dormant Phalaris Arundinacea var. Picta grass into some yogurt cans and are just starting to get some small leafs.