Don't be fooled by the name. While looking remarkably like Bridal Veil, Basket Grass (also called Variegated Bridal Veil) is a true grass and is not in the Wandering Jew family. It has applications both as a retail houseplant and wholesale landscaping. Its ability to tolerate both hot and cold temperatures makes it a versatile product to have in your garden center.
Growing Tips
Your unrooted cuttings will arrive freshly cut. You will need to
plant them immediately and begin a misting cycle to root the cuttings. This will leech the soil of nutrients, so during the propagation phase use a constant feed of
1/3 the normal recommended dosage of fertilizer until well rooted.
For best results with Variegated Basket Grass, we recommend using a constant feed program of
150-200 ppm N. Allowing the plant to dry out moderately between watering will help to create a pink hue in the leaves. Be careful not to overwater your Basket Grass. Maintain a
pH between 5.5-6.5.Pinching
Variegated Basket Grass is a
sport mutation and therefore will
revert back to green. You will need to
remove any stems that are reverting in order to keep a nice-looking product. This plant is also a fast grower, so pinching and trimming will be necessary in order to create the desired size and shape.
Spacing
Space pots as needed to
allow air flow and penetration of light between plants. An average pot will need to be spaced at
2' centers, but Variegated Basket Grass grows fast so, allowing for extra time, a grower could produce a large pot. At that point,
3' spacing makes more sense.
HeightControl
Plant growth regulators are not recommended for Basket Grass. The plant will get tall and leggy if allowed, but trimming and growing in bright light are preferred over PGRs.
Pests
Whiteflies are the biggest pest problem with Basket Grass.
Disease
Variegated Basket Grass is not prone to many diseases, but
don't oversaturate the soil. Due to its dense foliage,
fungus could be a problem. Grow it in bright light and well spaced to help prevent problems. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with
root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis and root rot are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label's instructions.
Planting Basket Grass Variegated Bridal Veil Liners
- We recommend planting 4-5 starter plants per 10 inch basket. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. If you are planting 4 inch pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
- Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation. A second pinch may be necessary depending on the size and shape of the final pot.
Unrooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families, but most can be described as tip cuttings (ivy are leaf-and-eye stem cuttings not tips) that stick nicely
in small plug trays such as the 105-plug tray we use (some varieties are better suited for a 50 cell tray, i.e. Angelwing Begonia, Bougainvillea, Setcrecea, etc.). Please do not order unrooted cuttings unless you are an experienced propagator with mist systems and proper temperature control.
Basket Grass Variegated Bridal Veil Quick Reference Guide
| 4" crop time | 10 Weeks |
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| 10" crop time | 14 weeks |
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| Habit | Spreading/Trailing |
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| Height | 24 Inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 50-60 |
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| Perennial Zone | Not Hardy |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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