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Reed (Scirpus) belongs to a genus of plants that have both a perennial and annual growth period. These are mainly coastal-aquatic representatives of the green world of the planet. They belong to the Sedge family, which in Latin is called Cyperaceae; it also includes a large number of monocotyledonous plants. It is very difficult to list the native places where reeds are found in nature, since they grow on all lands of the planet except the Arctic. There are up to forty varieties in the genus, and about twenty-two species are found in Russia.
Reed gets its name because of its soft and pliable stems, which have long been familiar to people for their properties, and the word “scirpus” comes from the concept of “weaving” or “knitting”. In the lands of the “old lady” of Great Britain, such plants are called “cat’s tail” and are considered a very good omen if a reed with a green head is found. On the islands of Britain it was believed that reeds brought good luck and had healing and protective properties. But in Egypt and the pages of the Old Testament this plant was called reed, and there was an opinion that the basket that served as a bed for the baby Moses was woven from reed stems. And there we can see the moment where the baby was sent across the waters of the river in a basket made of reeds to save him from death. Mention of a child floating in a reed basket on the waters of a river is also present in ancient Greek mythology.
Reed is a perennial with fairly large heights; they can reach 2.5 meters. The rhizome of some species is tuberous, which allows the plant to quickly spread and form entire thickets. But basically the rhizome is devoid of such formations. The stem can be either cylindrical or triangular in shape. The flowers formed on reed stems are bisexual, compound-spike-shaped, from which inflorescences are collected in the form of umbrellas, panicles, or can take on capitate contours. The inflorescences are apical, but their location from the side appears lateral. They have a lot of branching. The spikelets are made up of many flowers, their color is blackish-green, maybe rusty or red-brown, from which glomeruli are collected together from one to five units. The fruit is a nut with flattened or triangular outlines.
- Location and lighting for reeds. When planting this plant, which loves increased soil moisture, it is important that the substrate has neutral or slightly acidic acidity levels. A place for planting is also selected in shallow water. Reed grows best when it has full sunlight, but varieties of forest and rooting reed can tolerate light shading. These varieties are more demanding in growth than the species representatives of this family. Their growth rate is slower, and they are poorly susceptible to growth. If the water level drops too much, then when growing in central Russia, this threatens to freeze out the varieties described above. If the shore is swampy, then varieties of reeds with stems with leaves can be planted on it. When planting, they are flooded to a depth of no more than 20 cm. If the plant has a bare stem, then it is usually kept in a flooded state, and the depth for lake reed, as well as Tabernemontan and the Albescens variety can reach a meter. All other species are best grown in shallow water, where depth indicators will vary between 10–30 cm. If they are planted in the coastal zone, then such plants are limited, since they are prone to spreading, then they should be immersed in water in planting containers.
- General care. Representatives of the Sedge family, and not only reeds, are quite unpretentious plants when grown in cultivation. However, there is a problem of their growth due to too long rhizomes or spreading by self-sowing. Particular attention should be paid in this regard to varieties of rooting reeds, which can throw their stems into other containers located in the neighborhood. With the arrival of late autumn, plants require cutting.
Rules for self-propagation of reeds
You can get a new young cat's tail plant by sowing its seeds or dividing the rhizome. The division operation is carried out in spring or September.
When grown from seeds, reeds may lose their varietal properties. Seeds should be stratified for two months in a humid place at low heat levels. With the arrival of February-March, seed material must be distributed over the surface of a substrate made of moistened peat, humus and coarse sand (equal parts). The container with the crops is placed under glass or wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a tray with water. The temperature during germination should be between 17–20 degrees. After a week, friendly shoots appear. After cultivation, 1–2 months later, picking is carried out, and with the arrival of June, young reeds can be planted in a permanent place of growth. Drooping reed seeds do not need to be stratified. This plant can also reproduce by self-sowing.
When dividing the rhizome, the reed bush should be dug up and, using a sharp pruner or knife, divided into sections so that each has developed roots and 1–2 growth buds. Then these parts are immediately planted in a permanent place. Between them you should leave up to half a meter if the reeds are large or up to 20–30 cm if the sections are small.
Difficulties in cultivating reeds
In general, reeds are quite resistant to harmful insects and diseases, but are sometimes attacked by spider mites or aphids. This is possible when cultivation conditions become unfavorable: increased air dryness, excessive or poor soil moisture, maintenance at low temperatures or when exposed to drafts. And since reeds react very poorly to chemicals that could eliminate pests, it is better to create normal conditions for its growth and periodically carry out inspections. Otherwise, you will have to use insecticides.
Also, if the humidity is low, the stems turn brown at the ends. You should spray with warm water and if the cultivation is indoors, you can place the pot with reeds in a tray with water poured into it.
Since reed rhizomes contain a large amount of starch, for a long time they were dried and made into flour. Reed leaves are often woven into multiple household products, such as rugs, mats, baskets and shopping bags. It can also be used to decorate wickerwork made from willow twigs (vines). If you cut them in July, they will remain green in color, while cutting them in August and September will reward the reed leaf blades with a rich yellowish color. In this case, the reeds are cut and dried from the surface of the water at a distance of 10–15 cm. To ensure that the material remains elastic and has a beautiful color, drying takes place in the shade. Reed stems and leaves are often used as fuel.
Back in the 20th century, it was customary to use reeds to make reed concrete - a building material based on some kind of binder (cement or gypsum). But this mainly took place in rural construction. From it you can obtain alcohol and glycerin, which is often used in paper making.
It has happened that reeds are mistakenly called cattails or reeds, but these are completely different representatives of the flora. But, despite this, in the Turkic language reeds are called “reeds” - Qamis, in Azerbaijani.
This example of the green world is also known in folk medicine because of its astringent, sedative, as well as enveloping, diuretic and hemostatic properties. Used in the treatment of diarrhea, urolithiasis, dysentery and epilepsy. Traditional healers also prescribe reed-based medications for burns, boils, spider bites, vomiting, gastroesterocolitis, pyelonephritis and dispensation.
Types of reeds
- Lake reed (Scirpus lacustris) It is a perennial plant, with a height of 100–250 cm. It likes to settle in brightly lit areas. It prefers to grow in shallow waters of reservoirs, as well as areas of rivers and lakes where the water is predominantly stagnant or slowly flowing. Basically, its depth varies between 50–100 cm, the soils are different. The thickets formed by this reed are clean. The native growing area is very extensive. It has a thickened rhizome, with a creeping shape, and its color is dark brown. Because of these roots, this variety has the ability to grow extensively into real thickets. The leaves are so reduced (reduced) that they can be considered absent. All the functions that the leaf plates perform are taken over by the plant stem. It has a cylindrical shape, green color, smooth surface, thickness varies from 1.5 to 2 cm. Due to multiple air cavities, the stem has a loose structure; at its base there are sheaths with a brownish color. The stem contains a fairly developed aerenchyma, which is the name given to air-bearing tissue. In the stem, some of the epidermal cells have protruding outlines, and this is a protective layer for it so that the stomata that are contained there are not wetted by water. When flowering, an inflorescence with a paniculate shape is formed, its length is 5–8 cm. It has branches of different lengths, with a rough surface, which bear spikelets collected in bunches. The spikelets have oblong-ovate outlines and a sharp tip with a length of up to 8–10 mm. The scales have a reddish-brown tint, their outlines are ovoid, ciliated along the edge, and their outer side is smooth. The nut ripens in a gray tone, with an obovate shape, its contours also have a flattened trihedral, its length is 3 mm. Flowering occurs between July and August.
- Forest reed (Scirpus silvaticus). The height of this variety can vary in the range of 40–120 cm. There is a short rhizome from which the shoots originate. The stem has an erect appearance, its surface is bluntly triangular, and at the top it becomes rough. Leaf plates are located along the entire length. The length of the leaves reaches 20 cm, the width is about 2 cm. The leaves have elongated sheaths, the edge is rough, the outline is flat, and there is a keel on the reverse side. When flowering, an inflorescence with well-developed branching is formed, its contours are ovoid, its length can reach up to 20 cm. At the base of the inflorescence, 3–4 bract petals grow. The branches are located at the ends with a rough surface, and they bear 3–5 spikelets. The shape of such spicate processes is ovoid, with a blunt apex, and they reach 3–4 mm in length. They have scales with oblong-ovoid outlines, with a point at the tip, and are colored black-greenish. The nut has an obovate outline and is no more than 1 mm in length. Flowering occurs in the second half of June or at the beginning of July. The fruits begin to ripen in August. The native habitat is in the European part, as well as the lands of the Caucasus, all of Siberia and the Far East. It prefers to settle in swampy and very wet meadows, along the swampy banks of waterways, in ditches and oxbow lakes, and does not shy away from cutting down damp woodlands.
- Rooting rush (Scirpus radicans). It is a perennial plant reaching a height of 40–120 cm. It has a shortened rhizome. The stems grow in two varieties: some are flower-bearing and grow straight; the latter, which do not have flowers, have an arched bend, inclined towards the soil and can easily take root at the top. The flowering stems are very similar to the type of forest reed. The flowering process occurs in the month of July. In the natural environment, it prefers to settle in shallow waters of reservoirs, as well as where there are rivers and lakes; this reed has not ignored damp meadows and swampy areas. The distribution area is in the Far East, all regions of Siberia and the lands of the European part of Russia.
- Tibernaemontana reed (Scirpus tabernaemontani). The height varies from one to one and a half meters. The thickness of the stem is often measured at 1.5 cm. At its base there are sheaths devoid of plates. The inflorescence is formed of a compressed paniculate shape and reaches up to 5 cm in length. The spikelets have an oblong-ovate outline, their length does not exceed 7 mm, and grows to a minimum of 4 mm. The scales, which are located on the outside, are covered with warts, colored purple-brown. The nut has a greenish-brown tint, is flat-convex in shape, and its length does not exceed 2 mm. In all other respects, it resembles a variety of lake reed. The flowering process occurs in July-August. The native natural distribution area covers all regions of the globe except the Arctic. They live mainly in shallow water in water reservoirs, as well as lakes, ponds, rivers, and can grow in ditches and marshy areas with fresh or salt water.
- Bristle reed (Scirpus setaceus). Its native distribution area is in Europe, the Caucasus and southwestern Siberia; it did not ignore India, Central and Western Asia. He likes to settle on damp sand along the shores of reservoirs, where there are warm-temperate or subtropical climatic zones. It is an annual plant that can reach from 3 to 20 cm in height. It grows a lot of stems, they are thin with leaves of a very narrow shape. The number of spikelets varies from 1 to 4; they are collected in a bunch, crowning the top of the stem. The bract has a single leaf and is larger than the inflorescence. The scales that cover it are painted in a dark purple color, with a green stripe present on them. The flowering process occurs in the month of May.
- Sea reed (Scirpus maritimus). It has a creeping rhizome and a perennial life cycle. The height of the stems ranges from half a meter to a meter. The leaf plates have linear outlines and reach 3–8 mm in height. At the top of the shoot a dense inflorescence with a star-umbrella shape is formed. Color - brown. It is mainly used for landscaping areas with saline soil.
- Pointed reed (Scirpus mucronatus). The native distribution area is in the southern Russian regions. There this plant grows as a perennial, and very dense bushy thickets are formed, reaching a height of 70 cm. But this reed does not spread much. The spikelets are arranged in a compacted group. The stems have a light greenish color, in the upper part of their outline there are well-defined three edges, and the bract leaf looks the same, which is located in such a way that it creates the feeling of an extension of the stem.
Widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions, especially on the African continent and Australia, it visually closely resembles grass.
Plant loves moisture, it is customary to plant it near the shores of various bodies of water, its miniature varieties develop well in an aquatic environment, the flower is widely used in decorating aquariums. Isolepis grows well in pots; for this it is necessary to maintain a certain level of soil and air humidity.
The genus was recently bred from the genus Reed; there are perennial and annual plants, rhizomatous and without roots. The stems of the plant are cylindrical and can be quite thin.
Flower fruits They are biconvex and triangular achenes, which can be longitudinally ribbed.
Varieties
Scirpus atrovirens. Perennial plant, single straight stem 90-150 cm, may have several stems. The number of leaves varies from 4 to 9, width - 2 cm, color - dark green.
Scirpus mucronatus. A perennial plant up to 70 cm high, the leafless light green stems in the upper part are triangular in shape, the number of leaves is 1-2, the spikelets form a group.
Scirpus cernuus. The second name is hair grass, it is a perennial herbaceous plant with long thread-like leaf stems. Feels great on marshy, damp soils; the bush consists of a large number of fused bunches of leaves, at the ends of which there are small spikelets.
How to grow?
In the coastal area isolepsis is recommended to be grown in swampy soils, and in aquariums - on hard ground. When grown in pots, the plant feels good on a fertile clay mixture; isolepsis needs intense lighting, but direct rays in this case are not the most suitable option.
Landing
Plant can be planted in a pond or on a non-swampy bank; varieties with leafy stems should be placed in water to a depth of no more than 20 cm; varieties without leaves should be sunk to a depth of no more than a meter.
Miniature-sized species are used to decorate the shore.
Drooping reeds, which is grown indoors, needs sun; in such conditions, the plant forms a bunch of ascending leaves and stems; with a lack of light, the bush takes on a spreading shape.
Soil for planting should consist of a mixture of sand, turf, humus or leaf soil, sand in a ratio of 1: 2: 1. The flower grows well in hydroponics; the container should be wide enough and shallow.
Watering
When growing isolepis, it is also important to monitor the level of humidity; the frequency of watering is 2-3 times a week. Due to the fact that the plant receives a lot of moisture when watering, it is not recommended to grow it in hanging baskets; isolepsis must be sprayed daily, in hot weather - 2 times a day.
If this is not enough, the flower pot must be placed on a tray with wet pebbles. It should be borne in mind that dry soil can be destructive for the plant, especially in the heat.
Top dressing
Feeding It is recommended to carry out every three weeks, diluting fertilizers strictly according to the instructions.
When growing isolepis indoors at room temperature, fertilizing should be done year-round.
Important role Feeding plays a role during the period of active development; mineral fertilizers are used as top dressing, which should not contain calcium.
Transplant It is best to plant a flower once or twice a year; replanting is best done in two containers; it is recommended to first divide the bush into 2 parts.
At rapid growth The stems and root system must be divided into 2 parts; in order for them to take root faster, it is recommended to leave the pots for several days without watering in a shaded place.
Reproduction
Usually plant propagation carried out by division, when dividing it is necessary to take into account that very small parts develop slowly.
Seeds You can immediately sow on the surface of wet sand, or use filtered paper folded several times and placed in a small saucer with water.
plant plant in open ground, approximately centimeter-long seedlings are recommended. Recently, isolepis is increasingly grown in plastic tubes, which gives the flower some originality.
For this must be taken a tube whose dimensions allow the root system with a small amount of soil to be placed inside it.
Pests
And for the most curious, we suggest you watch a video about isolepis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrz3XTN_x9w
Cattails, reeds, and reeds are plants that can be found in the wild near the shores of water bodies. They are often considered weeds, but they do an excellent job in landscaping, grown specifically for landscaping artificial ponds. Reeds cope well with fencing and cleaning any pond, lake, or dam. These plants are often confused with each other, and they even belong to different families.
Reed is a perennial or annual herbaceous plant from the sedge family and the genus Reed. The temperate, tropical and subtropical territories of the globe are considered to be the homeland of reeds. Reservoirs and swamps are their favorite places to grow.
Under comfortable conditions, reeds can grow in height up to three meters. The stem of the reed is thin, cylindrical or triangular in shape, hollow inside with long and narrow leaves that are similar to sedge leaves. Some species have basal rosettes of thread-like leaves.
The reed rhizome can be creeping, sometimes shortened, and there are even rootless species that float on the surface of the water. The reed rhizome contains a lot of starch and sugars, which made it possible to make flour from it, which was added to rye flour.
In June, the reed begins to bloom, throwing out panicles-peduncles, sometimes umbrellas or heads. Peduncles are usually up to 10 cm long, multi-spiked; the spikelets are multi-flowered. The flowers are bisexual and small greenish, turning brownish as they ripen.
The fruits are formed on the reeds: flat-convex or rounded-triangular nuts, up to 250 pieces. Fish and birds feed on different parts of the reed; they are attracted by the juice of the reed on the cuts. Experienced fishermen use this.
Fishermen and tourists use reed stems for food. When boiled, a delicious sweet drink is obtained. By increasing the cooking time, you can get a thick syrup. The white basal part of the stem is used in soups, porridges and potato dishes. The rhizomes are juicy and tasty and baked in ash or over coals.
A person uses reeds in his life as much as possible:
- making dry winter bouquets;
- weaving rugs and shopping bags;
- in the southern regions, when mixed with clay, they obtain an inexpensive building material for coating walls;
- used for heating purposes and for livestock feed;
- Alcohol, glycerin and lactic acid are obtained from reeds;
- reed is a raw material in paper production.
Infusions and decoctions of reeds, thanks to their beneficial substances, are used as folk remedies, having the following qualities:
- antiseptic,
- diuretics,
- bactericidal,
- wound healing,
- sweatshops,
- hemostatic.
After flowering, the reed spreads fluff, which can cause allergic reactions. There are beliefs that reeds above the entrance to a home scare away unfriendly people and entities.
Kinds
There are up to 300 different types of reeds around the world. More than 25 species of them are widespread throughout Russia: lake, seaside, bristly, forest, Tabernemontana, rooting.
There are species that can be grown at home.
Watering and humidity
Humidity is something that reeds need as vitally as air. In room conditions, it is watered with plenty of settled soft water. Irrigation, shower, spraying - all this is recommended for reeds.
Soil and replanting
The soil composition for reeds is prepared from peat, sand, humus and leaf soil. The soil should be moist, slightly acidic or neutral. You can take hydroponics.
To plant reeds, choose a wide and shallow container.
The reed quickly ages and sheds its leaves, so it is replanted every year in the spring. When replanting, the reeds are divided and everything that has become obsolete is removed: leaves, roots.
Lighting and temperatures
The optimal favorable temperature range for reeds: in summer up to twenty degrees, in winter not lower than eight.
It is better to choose a place in the house and a plot in the garden for reeds with good lighting, but without direct sunlight. Partial shade is the best choice.
Feeding and pruning
Reeds grow very quickly, so regular pruning of roots and wilted leaves in late autumn allows you to keep them in neat shape.
Reproduction
At home, reeds can be grown from seeds, although this is a very labor-intensive process. Before planting, stratification is required at low temperatures down to zero and high humidity up to 80% for two months. Sowing in peat with sand and humus is carried out in February. Cover the top of the container with film or glass and place it on a tray with water. From 17 to 20 degrees is the optimal temperature for germination of reed seeds. Shoots can be expected in a week. After another 7 weeks they are picked, and in June they are planted in their permanent habitat.
More often, reeds are propagated by dividing the rhizomes during transplantation, producing up to seven new plants with buds. They are planted in the ground immediately every 40 cm.
Reed is an annual or perennial plant that belongs to the sedge family. Grows in swampy areas in the subtropical zone.
Reed is a tall plant, the stem height is up to three meters. The stem of the Reed is thin, triangular or cylindrical. The flowers are bisexual. They are collected in different inflorescences: a head, an umbrella or a panicle. The roots of the plant contain starch, so in ancient times flour was made from Reed.
There is a species of Kamish that grows indoors. This - Scirpus (Scirpus). The main condition for proper cultivation is moisture, since Reed is a marsh plant. There is another name for it - Isolepis, and popularly - “cuckoo tears”. In appearance, indoor reed is an unusual herbaceous plant. Its leaves resemble hair, they are long and thin. The maximum height and diameter of Skirpus is 30 centimeters. Its shape resembles a fountain.
Flower shops sell homemade Reeds, the lower part of the stem of which is wrapped. Such plants look decorative and resemble a palm tree in appearance.
Reed - care:
Lighting:
Reed feels comfortable in illuminated areas. It is painful to tolerate direct sunlight and highly lit places. The best place for it is partial shade. When there is a lack of light, the leaves of the Reed stretch out greatly, and under the influence of direct rays the leaves are burned.
Temperature:
Reed is a cold-resistant plant. Can withstand up to +5°C. The plant loves warmth. It does not tolerate high temperatures well, but during this period it requires abundant watering of the soil. In general, it is not picky about temperature conditions.
Watering:
The reeds are watered abundantly. Spray the leaves once every three days. In winter, watering is reduced.
Humidity:
The plant is very capricious regarding humidity. Very dry air has a bad effect on it. It is recommended to spray the plant with cool water every three days in the summer. Ideal soil moisture is 85%. If the soil is not moist enough, the tips of the leaves begin to dry out. There should always be water in the tray of the pot. It is better to plant it in a plastic pot, as it does not deteriorate from water. Water the plant with settled, non-hard water. 
Feeding:
Fertilize Reed with mineral fertilizers in a proportion of 1 gram per 1 meter. Typically, wood ash, compost or humus is added to the soil. They are also fertilized in moderation with superphosphate and potassium salt. In early spring, fertilize with urea. For proper growth and development, the plant is fed monthly with calcium-free fertilizers.
Transfer:
The plant quickly ages and sheds its leaves. Therefore, every spring Scirpus is replanted and thereby divided. Transplant into a shallow and wide container, and yellowed leaves must be removed. The soil should be leafy and turfy. Sand is also added in a 1:2 ratio. Reed should not be divided into many parts, since the root system is weak, and very small bushes may not take root.
Reproduction:
Reed reproduces by dividing the root system. One plant can be planted for 7 young ones, since Sciprus takes root easily.
Some features:
The plant is not whimsical. The only conditions are very moist soil, partial shade and a temperature range from 5°C to 25°C.
Reeds - diseases and pests:
We must make sure that the cats do not eat the leaves of the Reed, as they love them very much. Plant pests include aphids and mites.
Reed – types:
There are 52 species. The following species grow on the territory of Ukraine: Eastern reed, forest reed, Colchis reed, rooting reed, Maksimovich reed and Vikhura reed.