Klarinet Archive - Posting 000158.txt from 1996/06

From: James Fay <n3hpz@-----.COM>
Subj: Reed cane in Southern Maryland
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 1996 16:48:02 -0400

Several years ago, a former member of Klarinet was able to send me
4 arundo donax plants, which he got from a farmer in Columbia, South
Carolina. I planted them, not expecting much.

Nothing the first year. Second year, fertilized them and later saw growth
on 2 plants, not much 'harvest' that year. Third year, fertilized again
(once a year, in early spring), and watered weekly (this being 94). Got
a decent crop, not quite large enough for clarinet (that needing OD 20-24mm).
Also inside thickness not enough.

95 crop is very good, plenty from the 2 plants to keep me 'going', though
I have yet to make a reed from 94 or 95 crop. Both years are aging and curing
in the sun.

Growing this stuff seems very easy. Probably best to fertilize 2x a year. The 95
crop got no watering at all, so it will be interesting to compare. Arundo donax
seems to (in MD) need no sprays or insecticides..no problems of that sort at
all.
A recent Lycos search of 'reed cane' came up with a few items I'll do next time:
Strip leaves of cane when harvesting.
Keep out of rain (94 sat out all year round)

Also, I have harvested each season's crop, cutting it all down.
Wondering if it should be alowed to grow for 2 years, then harvest.

Questions/comments/suggestions welcome.

Jim Fay