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Rhizome Planting

Planting is a precision task. GLM has developed a planter specifically designed to plant rhizomes. Our planter carries enough product and nutrients to reduce downtime during the planting process, decreasing planting time. We put down rhizomes at a rate that allows for close cover at maturity, which leads to reduced weed control in the initial years of establishment, saving you money. 

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Expected Yields

In the first year by the early fall, the growth the crop appears sparse. The rational here is that the plant is concentrating on building root structure. Each rhizome node has the ability to become the centre of a root ball that can spread to 24". 

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By the second year of growth, the plant will grow new plants from the new roots from the previous year. Considering the size of the roots below ground there is a noticeable improvement in the quantity and size of the canes from the first year. The expected yield is approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of a mature stand of miscanthus. This can be harvested and will be the first of many crops into the future.

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Maturity begins in year 3. The crop should reach close cover and have no further need of any herbicide treatments, as sunlight is very restricted at ground level. This crop of cane should be at about 12 feet (3.25 meters) in height and have an expected yield of 7-8 tons per acre. Even in a dry year with no water from June to September 6-7 tone is still reasonable.

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We believe that in 4 year and for many years after, up to 15; growers will continue to achieve maturity yields. The only requirement is adding a little nutrient to the soil on an annual basis.