Lemongrass

[leoblackcat]

Has anyone tried sticking some lemongrass in water to get it to grow roots? I was just wondering how long it will take - i put mine in some water last week and no sign of life yet.

[selfraising]

Hi there
I did last year. It did root but took a couple of weeks from what I can remember

[rana]

I brought some back from Thailand 7 years ago and it is still growing - it is a nice big clump now. It seems to root very easily.

[Alison]

Apparently it does but nobody told me that until after I'd grown my own from seed - the seed is very small and fiddly and takes a long time to get going so if you can get it going from the cut plant then you're missing out on a lot of phaff.

[leoblackcat]

do you keep it inside over the winter, Rana?

[rana]

It comes into an unheated greenhouse for winter. It is kept pretty dry and the leaves turn brown but it soon recovers when watering commences in spring. The plants also respond well to splitting (and re-planting) in spring.

[leoblackcat]

Thanks Guys, I am really chuffed that my lemongrass has now rooted and i have planted it into a 3" pot. Will have to see how it goes!

[Lemon]

Ooh! That sounds interesting Leoblackcat! Didn't know you could do that! Does the lemongrass need to be fairly fresh and not like the dried specimens I see in the local supermarket?

I just chopped up the 2 old specimens I found in the salad drawer....next time I'll try that water trick - lemongrass is a bit pricey.

[leoblackcat]

i just used a stick from the supermarket. As soon as I got it home, I took off the couple of outer leaves and trimmed up the base. Stuck it in some water and it grew roots within a week or so. This was my second attempt to get it to root - it didn't work when I didn't cut off the outer leaves and trim the base.

I am happy - I use it quite alot and like you say it is not cheap to buy.

[crichmond]

Havent tried super market lemongrass but I have grown this loverly looking specimen from seed, along with 5 others that just dont look as good.

[Lemon]

Wow! You must be so pleased to have done that from seed! Did it take long? I didn't know it grew out fan-shaped?!?

Is it still too small for the cutting then?

[Sonata]

Ooooh what sort of soil does it like? I've been trying to grow some from seed, but of the billions of seed I've sown, only about 7 germinated, and a few died off soon. Do they like it moist or dry? I haven't got the hang of it yet.

Have tried a second tray - it's in the airing cupboard, and so far..3 sproutlings!

I might try for some from the supermarket though. I did buy some on ebay but killed it.

[crichmond]

I am using multipurpose compost mixed with a little coconut coir, I little sand would give the same effect.
And I started them in a propagator under a grow light, out of 10 sown 7 came up and 6 survived.
They were taken out of the propagator when I potted them on the other day, but the night before they were raised up by putting a seed tray upside down in the propagator.

They were planted in peat pots and I water when the outside of the pot is totally dry.
So far they have not been fed at all.

[HotStuff]

I love Lemongrass, so when I saw some seed a few months ago I bought a packet.Tried 6 in modules in the heated propagator and after six weeks, nothing! Got despondant until I read this thread. So, tried again, six in the heated prop, six in a small pot on the windowsill covered with clingfilm and 3 stalks from the supermarket in a pint glass, changing the water daily.

Now, 2 of the 3 stalks have roots, 2 in the prop and 2 in the pot have put in an appearance.

So, how long do I keep the stalks in the water before potting them up?

Crichmond, how old is your plant in that pic? It looks great.

[rana]

I would pot up immediately the stalks in water have started growing roots. Once in pots keep them well watered throughout the summer and autumn. They like water.