Genus Reed of the Sedge family (Cyperaceae) unites 67 varieties. These are perennial and annual herbs that are found on the banks of reservoirs and swamps.

Scirpus is not the only botanical genus whose members are called "reeds". In Russian, many plants from the genera are called this way. Amateur gardeners uninitiated in botanical subtleties often call Reed Rogoz (lat. Typha) and sometimes Reed (Phragmites), which is completely incorrect from a systematic point of view.

Reeds are distributed throughout the globe, in temperate and tropical latitudes. They are capable of purifying water from phenols, organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals and even oil contaminants.

Description

Among the representatives of the genus, herbaceous perennials predominate. The height of Reeds varies depending on the type and variety: from 20 to 300 cm.

The rhizome of most species is fleshy, creeping, fast-growing, and sometimes hollow. At the Reed taking root (Scirpus radicans) and Kamysha Long (Scirpus longii) it is shortened.

The stem is triangular or cylindrical, leafy or bare. The leaves are linear, filamentous or triangular, basal and stem. Sometimes the leaves are reduced to scale-like sheaths.

Inflorescences are single-spikelet, multi-spikelet, umbellate or capitate. The spikelets are most often multi-flowered and bisexual. The perianth is six-petalled, sometimes absent.

ON THE PICTURE: Inflorescence of Rooting Reed.

Nut fruits are smooth, triangular, ribbed or transversely wrinkled. Small, numerous seeds are carried by the wind and waterfowl.

Popular varieties

Ornamental foliage and flowering species are grown in shady gardens, on the banks of artificial ponds and in garden swamps. For example, Rooting Reed decorates spring gardens with unusual reddish-brown stems and leaves. By mid-summer they turn green. The arched stems of the rooting reed, bent towards the water, create a natural floristic composition.

ON THE PICTURE: Curtain of rooting reeds.

Far Eastern Kamysh Vikhura (Scirpus wichurae) It is notable for its large brown umbrella inflorescences against the background of bright green stems and foliage. It is used in the design of decorative ponds in a natural style.

ON THE PICTURE:One of the species of Reed is named after the famous German botanist of the 19th century. Max Ernst Wichura.

Of the unpretentious species varieties, forest reed is popular (Scirpus sylvaticus). The variety easily takes root on poor soils, forms picturesque clumps up to 1 m high, and blooms with lush, aesthetic panicles of small spikelets.

ON THE PICTURE:Although this variety of Reed is nicknamed forest, in nature it usually grows in meadows and swamps.

Growing

Reed can be grown both in shallow waters of 10–30 cm and in very wet, swampy soils. Undemanding to soil, but slightly acidic soils with pH 5.0–6.0 or neutral soils with pH 6.0–7.0 are preferred.

Reeds need a sufficient amount of sunlight, but under direct rays they lose their decorative properties. Forest reed and rooting reed tolerate light shade well.

Does not require additional fertilizers and does not create difficulties in maintenance. Caring for garden reeds comes down to moistening the soil when the reservoir dries out during drought, controlling self-seeding and plant growth.

ON THE PICTURE: A small clump of Cyperus reed (Scirpus cyperinus).

Diseases and pests

Reeds practically do not get sick and are not damaged by harmful insects. Sometimes it is also affected.

Reproduction

Mainly propagated vegetatively by dividing rhizomes in spring or early autumn. When dividing the Reed rhizome, at least one growth point is left on each part.

Natural varieties are also propagated by seed. Reeds are sown immediately after ripening and the seeds are collected in late summer or early autumn, depending on the species. You can sow in the spring, after the soil has thawed and frosts have ended.

First steps after purchase

The acquired Reed is immediately planted in a permanent place of growth. Since the genus is resistant to diseases and pests, treating purchased plants with special preparations is not necessary.

In case of diseases of other ornamental grasses with fungal and bacterial infections, or the appearance of harmful insects in the garden, Reeds are prophylactically treated with an insecticide and fungicide.

It is important to treat wild specimens transferred to the garden with an insecticide and fungicide.

Secrets of success

When choosing a site for Reed, it is worth remembering its ability to quickly grow with rhizomes and side shoots. Entire clumps of thickets are formed in a short time. To limit overgrowth, plants are planted in containers and then the containers are buried in the ground.

ON THE PICTURE:Small-fruited reed (Scirpus microcarpus) planted in containers.

To preserve its decorative appearance, reeds are cut down to soil level for the winter.

Varietal reeds are more demanding on the soil than representatives of natural species. Due to their slow growth, varietal plants are more suitable for thoughtful compositions of garden ponds. At the same time, they freeze out faster when the water level in the pond decreases, so they need additional shelter in winter.

Possible difficulties

Rotting of the outer part of the plant.

Cause: flooding of the planting by more than 20‒30 cm.

Dryness and loss of decorativeness of leaves and stems.

Causes:

1. drying out of the soil.
2. exposure to direct sunlight.

Excessive growth of clumps.

Causes:

1. untimely pruning.
2. absence of growth limiters in the soil.

Reed (lat. Scirpus) belongs to the genus of annual and perennial plants of the sedge family. In its natural environment it grows in the coastal water zone. It has a triangular or cylindrical stem. On average it reaches up to two and a half meters in height. Bisexual flowers are collected in inflorescences (paniculate, umbellate). There are about three hundred plant species in total. Prefers subtropical and temperate climatic conditions. More than twenty species of reeds are found in the temperate continental zone. At home, you can grow only one member of the sedge family - isopelis drooping, also known as drooping. People call it “cuckoo tears.” Let's take a closer look at how to properly care for ornamental crops.

During flowering, the reed is covered with small white dots.

Lighting

Indoor reed prefers well-lit places. Insufficient light may cause leaves to become stretched. But exposure to direct sunlight also has a detrimental effect on decorativeness. The leaves are burning out. It is best to keep the flower pot in partial shade.

Watering

Insufficient watering can cause leaf tips to dry out. It is important to maintain “swamp” conditions. You should also constantly add a little water to the pan. For irrigation, it is better to use filtered or settled water. Take care of the material of the container. It is advisable to choose a plastic flowerpot. This way it will not deteriorate from excessive moisture.

Transplant technology

Indoor reeds are susceptible to rapid baldness. For this reason, the plant must be replanted annually. The procedure is best carried out in early spring. When changing containers and soil, you can also divide the plant into several parts. The resulting cuttings are best planted in a shallow, wide container. At the same time, you need to clean it of old, yellow leaves.

Proper pruning

Reeds tend to grow very quickly. Therefore, you will need to promptly clean the plant from wilted areas and roots. It is advisable to prune in late autumn.

Features of growing reeds in open ground

Growing reeds outdoors is not difficult. It is much more difficult to cope with an overgrown area. Reed is not a capricious plant. But you still need to adhere to several rules for its cultivation:

1. Choose slightly acidic or neutral soil.
2. It is advisable to prepare a sunny area. If you have prepared drooping reeds for breeding, you need to choose a darkened area. This species does not tolerate direct sunlight.
3. The plant is very moisture-loving. Withstands wetlands very well. Can also grow in water. The average depth should be about 30 cm.

Lake reeds grow best on the site. If you want to plant the crop in a pot, prepare shallow containers. The diameter should be more than 15 cm. Be sure to take care of a thick layer of drainage. It is advisable to use compost, peat and garden soil as a soil mixture. Place the reed rhizome in the middle of the container and water it generously. Then add the required amount of substrate and moisten the soil well. You need to lay crushed stones or pebbles on top. A container plant can decorate a gazebo, balcony and any area of ​​the site.

If you plant reeds outdoors, remember that they are an aggressor. There will be no problems with reproduction. It is capable of eradicating other water-loving crops. There are no special conditions for outdoor care. It is important to prevent overgrowth and divide the rhizome in a timely manner. On particularly hot days, you can spray the leaves with water.

You can find out detailed information about indoor reeds from the video review:

Growing in a container

Choosing a pot

Indoor reeds look perfect in hanging planters and pots. It is often used as an hanging plant. Florists also decorate the greenhouse with them. With its help you can recreate a swamp garden indoors.

Recently, in specialized salons, the plant is sold in special bamboo or plastic tubes. This helps add decorativeness. The culture resembles a small palm tree. The same design can be made at home. To do this, you will need a tube half the height of the crop. It is enough to stretch the indoor reeds through it. It is important to do this with your roots forward. The top part should remain free.

Priming

To grow indoors, you need to prepare a mixture of turf soil, leaf soil and clean, medium-grained sand.

Top dressing

To ensure uniform and proper development, the crop will need monthly feeding. It is advisable to use fertilizers without calcium.

Typical problems and diseases

Despite its unpretentiousness, the plant is still susceptible to external factors. Reeds are often damaged by spider mites and aphids. To get rid of pests, you will need insecticides.

If you move a pot with a plant indoors during the cold season, keep an eye on your pets. Cats love reeds very much. Sometimes they completely eat all the leaves.

To design a composition with indoor reeds, florists use a pipe.

Features of flowering

Flowering is difficult to notice. Tiny brown spikelets appear on the plant. They are no larger than the head of a pin. Formed at the ends of thread-like stems. In several plant species, pronounced fluff forms after flowering. It can cause an allergic reaction. There is a belief that if a plant is placed near the front door, it will help protect your home from ill-wishers.

Reproduction technology

One indoor crop can be divided into five to seven young plants. But don't overdo it. Otherwise, the reeds may die, or small bushes will take a long time to take root. Reeds are also propagated by seeds. To do this you will need filter paper or wet sand. After strengthening the seedlings, they can be planted in a regular substrate.

Reasons for slow growth

As a rule, reed flowering lasts all year round. Most often, a houseplant is covered with inflorescences from spring until the end of the summer season. The absence of flowers indicates unsuitable conditions.

Planting material

On the flower growers forum, a division of indoor reeds or drooping isopelis is sold for 50 rubles. In online stores you can find offers from 200 to 500 rubles.

Reeds love high substrate humidity. It can be easily grown indoors. It is enough to follow simple rules of care.

The herbaceous plant is one of the few that require a lot of moisture.

It is found throughout the world mainly in humid regions of the tropics and subtropics.

The small spike-shaped inflorescences at the ends of the stems are especially beautiful.

Growth form

The graceful stems grow vertically at first and droop over time.

Their length depends on the lighting: in the sun the bush is compact and vertical, in dry air and lack of light it begins to stretch.

Conditions

Place the plant in a bright place, but without bright sun.

It grows especially well in high humidity.

Do not place the pot directly above the radiator.

Care

The plant prefers temperatures from 18 to 20°C, in winter - not lower than 10°C.

Do not let the substrate dry out completely; the tray should always be filled with water.

Clay substrate works well.

Fertilize the plant once every 2-3 weeks, in winter - once every 2 months.

Brown tips of the leaves indicate excessive dryness of the air in the room; to prevent this, spray the plant regularly.

Reproduction

The easiest way is to divide the bush in the spring.

Usage

Looks especially good in hanging planters

Care advice

Divide the plant every two years as it begins to turn yellow as it ages.

Below are other entries on the topic “Do-it-yourself cottage and garden”

There are more than 250 species of reeds, which are distributed throughout the globe, but mainly in temperate and subtropical zones. They grow in excessively moist places and in water. The plant plays a very important role in the life of a reservoir, as it performs an important function of biological water purification, and is also one of the main peat formers. Reed is often incorrectly called reed.

Taking the stem with two fingers, it can be flattened almost without any effort, since the plant is penetrated by a network of air channels containing a large amount of air. Reed is used as packaging, construction and thermal insulation material (for summer buildings). On the high-altitude Lake Titicaca (Andes), Indians build floating islands from reeds on which they grow potatoes.

With a rounded stem and the presence of predominantly scale-like leaves, it stands out bulrush, whose large green shoots, up to 2.5 m tall, carry inflorescences high above the water surface of lakes, ponds and creeks. Often forms extensive thickets at a depth of 1 m or more.

Lake reed is the same kuga from which you can weave a soft mat suitable for bed. This bed-mat made of kugov is called kugovik. You can also make a very light float for fishing from kugi. Kuga is the popular name for lake reeds.

The triangular stem and leaves with a developed blade are common in damp wetlands and along the banks of reservoirs forest reed. It is eaten by cattle in the form of hay, and young shoots are a favorite food of deer.

Specialized arcuate vegetative shoots, rooted at the tips, have rooting reed, occasionally found in wet meadows, swamps, and along the banks of peat ponds.

Characteristic tuberous thickenings on the rhizome have sea ​​reeds, which is classified as a separate genus of tuber reed (marine or seaside tuber reed). The thickenings are rich in starch, so in India its crushed rhizomes are sometimes used as an additive to flour.

Lake reed (Scirpus lacustris L.)

Description of appearance:
Flowers: Inflorescence corymbose-paniculate, slightly spiked. The lower covering leaf is equal in length to the inflorescence or exceeds it. The spikelets are oblong-ovate, arranged in bunches of 3-5 (8). Covering scales are smooth, wrinkled upward, blunt, ciliated along the edge or broadly white-membranous. Stigma three.
Leaves: At the base with reddish or dark brown scale-like leaves; upper basal scale-like leaves usually with an awl-shaped plate 1-10 cm long; In fast-flowing rivers, long ribbon-like underwater leaves can develop.
Height: 50-250 cm.
Stem: Stems are cylindrical, green.
Root: With shortened and thick rhizome.
Fetus: Triangular nut, 2.3-3 mm long.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Habitat: Lake reed grows in the shallows of various reservoirs, damp and swampy shores, and the edges of swamps; often in the water, forming thickets.
Prevalence: A widespread Euro-Siberian species, also found in the Caucasus and Central Asia. In Russia - in all regions of the European part, in the southern regions of Siberia. Normal look.
Addition: Mainly in the chernozem belt, especially in saline areas, it occurs Tabernaemontana reed (Scirpus tabernaemontani C.C.Gmel.) with a bluish-green stem, compact inflorescence, two stigmas, speckled-warty covering scales.

Forest reed (Scirpus sylvaticus L.)

Description of appearance:
Flowers: Inflorescence spreading-paniculate, multi-spikelet, apical. Spikelets are 3-4(5) mm long, ovoid, with 2-5 inflorescences close together at the ends of rough branches. Covering scales are blackish-green, keeled, with a green median stripe, membranous along the edges. There are six perianthal setae, seated with small spines facing downwards.
Leaves: Leaf blades are broadly linear, rough along the edges and keel.
Height: 30-120 cm
Stem: Stems are tall-leafed.
Root: With an underground horizontal or arcuate rhizome 2-4 mm thick.
Fetus: Triangular nut, about 1 mm long.
Flowering and fruiting time: Blooms in June-July, bears fruit in July-August.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Habitat: Forest reed grows in swamps, swampy and wet banks of reservoirs, ditches, damp and swampy meadows and forests.
Prevalence: A circumboreal species, widespread in the European part of Russia, as well as in the southern regions of Siberia. An ordinary plant.

Rooting reed (Scirpus radicans Schkuhr)

Description of appearance:
Flowers: Spreading inflorescence. The spikelets sit singly at the ends of the smooth branches of the inflorescence. Covering scales are about 2 mm long, blackish. The perianth scales are smooth, 2-3 times longer than the nut, curved and tangled together.
Leaves: Leaf blades up to 2 cm wide.
Height: 40-120 cm.
Root: With shortened rhizome. In addition to flowering shoots, vegetative, whip-shaped, arcuate shoots, rooted at the apex, also grow from the rhizome.
Flowering and fruiting time: Blooms in June-July, bears fruit in July-August.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Habitat: Rooting reed grows along the outskirts of peat bogs, in swampy meadows and forests, along the banks of reservoirs, peat ditches, and wet roadsides.
Prevalence: A European-North Asian species, widespread in Russia in many areas of the northern half of the European part, in the south of Siberia, and the Far East. In Central Russia it is found in many regions, mainly in the non-chernozem zone.

Sea reed (Scirpus maritimus L.)

Description of appearance:
Flowers: The inflorescence is umbellate, consisting of a central sessile bunch of spikelets and lateral bunches sitting on peduncles of different lengths; less often the inflorescence is compressed. The spikelets are oblong-ovate. Covering scales are brown. There are 1-6 perianth scales, less often they are absent. Stigma 2-3.
Leaves: Leaf blades 3-8 mm wide, flat.
Height: 50-100 cm.
Root: With a creeping rhizome, forming spherical tubers, up to 3.5 cm in diameter.
Fruit: Convex-triangular or plano-convex nuts.
Flowering and fruiting time: Blooms in June-July, bears fruit in July-August.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Habitat: Sea reed grows along the banks of reservoirs, damp and swampy, often saline meadows, and damp depressions along railways and highways.
Prevalence: Widely distributed in Eurasia and North America. In Russia, it is found in many areas of the European part (except for the Arctic), in the south of Siberia, and the Far East. In Central Russia - in all regions, but more often in the southern regions.
Addition: In some areas along the valleys of large rivers there is close Compressed reed (Scirpus compactus Hoffm.) with a compact inflorescence and two stigmas.

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Reed - a useful cosmopolitan plant

Reed is a plant of the sedge family that can be found in all corners of the world, even in the Arctic regions. There are over 40 varieties of this aquatic and wetland plant.

Description of reeds

This large herbaceous plant prefers to grow in well-lit water or marshy areas. Its main species are perennial plants, only a few varieties are annual. Reed is often mistakenly called cattail and reed, which vaguely resemble it. The attached video explains the difference between reeds and cattails.

Source: Depositphotos

Lake reed - plant photo

In order to distinguish reeds from other similar plants, it is important to know its characteristic features:

• Straight hollow stem with a smooth shiny surface.
• The stem is crowned by an apical complex-spikelet inflorescence - a reddish-brown, rusty-brown or greenish-black spreading panicle.
• Internodes separated by partitions.
• The fruit is in the form of a triangular nut.
• Large rhizome.

This plant is important for both humans and the environment. Medicines, alcohol, paper, packaging material are made from it, and thanks to its absorbent properties it is able to clean water bodies polluted by industry. In tropical countries, light dwellings are built from it.

The photo shows an image of lake reed.

Reed plant: varieties

There are 22 species of reeds growing in Russia. The most common types are lake and forest.

The lake species is a perennial plant that can reach a length of 1 to 2.5 meters. Thanks to its creeping rhizome, it grows and forms dense thickets, usually blooming in July-August.

The lake variety is characterized by the following external signs:

• A smooth and loose cylindrical stem of green color, the thickness of which can reach 2 cm.
• Paniculate inflorescence up to 8 cm long.
• Oblong spikelets, their length does not exceed 10 cm.
• Brown-red ovoid scales.
• The flattened - triangular shaped nut is colored gray.

This plant prefers shallow water bodies of water and is distributed in all regions of Russia.

The forest variety is less tall - the length of the plant does not exceed 140 cm. It has a shortened rhizome, a straight stem, flat leaves up to 2 cm wide, a large ovoid inflorescence up to 20 cm in length, spikelets of the same shape 3–4 mm long, greenish-black oblong scales, nut size 1 mm.

It usually blooms in mid-June - July and the fruits ripen in August. Its habitat is swampy meadows and the banks of water bodies.

Reeds are great for planting in shallow water. Its roots grow very quickly and subsequently dense thickets form. Due to the fact that it purifies water well, removing contaminants from it, the environmental situation in the places where it grows improves.