Here we present you a number of frequently asked questions, should your question not be included then we would like to hear from you!
Does Miscanthus deplete the soil?
At harvest in the spring when the senescence (drying) has taken place, the extraction of minerals from the soil is very limited. The minerals are currently stored in the rhizomes. In fact, Miscanthus enriches the organic matter content of the soil through the formation of roots and leaf fall. The composting of this leaf fall also ensures recycling of the minerals!
Is Miscanthus giganteus invasive?
The elephant grass is not invasive. The Miscanthus giganteus variety is a sterile triploid hybrid that does not proliferate. However, the Miscanthus rhizomes will multiply until the “wig” has a diameter of about 1 meter.
Is weed control necessary in the first year after planting?
Miscanthus is a strong crop so the need for weed control might not be obvious. The first year after planting, however, this is of added value because weed pressure can negatively affect rhizome development and thus the first harvests. Naturally, we can also opt for organic weed suppression by means of, for example, Miscanthus litter. From the first year after planting on, however, weed control is no longer necessary because the plants are sufficiently developed, in addition there is suppression of weeds by means of the leaf fall.
Can animals cause damage to the cultivation?
In the year of planting, the growing points of the crop are softer and both hares and geese can be a problem. When the plants have developed, however, this is no longer the case and the growth is no longer hindered. Larger animals use Miscanthus as shelter and do not cause damage to the crop.
Can Miscanthus be used in all biomass boilers?
With its low moisture percentage at the crop of approx. 15%, Miscanthus is an excellent locally available fuel. However, compared to wood, the biomass has a lower melting point and higher mineral content. This makes that Miscanthus is often used in combination with wood or in specialized biomass boilers (100% Miscanthus). Please contact your supplier or us if you’re in doubt.
When can the rhizomes be delivered?
We can supply the elephant grass rhizomes only in the spring around April / May. After the harvest the rhizomes are stored refrigerated, nevertheless we recommend to start planting as soon as possible in the season. This allows the plant to develop optimally in the first year after planting. We try to deliver as quickly as possible after harvesting, but we are dependent on the weather conditions for harvesting. If you want to receive the rhizomes on a specific day, we will do our best but we cannot give any guarantees.
What to do after receiving / picking up the rhizomes?
Because the Miscanthus rhizomes are sensitive to dehydration, it is advisable to proceed to planting as soon as possible after receipt. If this fails, it is advisable to store the rhizomes in the meantime cooled and humidified.
Is het nu “olifantsgras” of “olifantengras”?
Als Cradle Crops gebruiken we olifantsgras als benaming maar olifantengras mag uiteraard ook!