Harvesting Osmunda

[Mabris]

I have a really good patch of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum growing in my yard, and a large area that will be added next spring. How does one harvest and process roots for use as an orchid potting medium?

[estación seca]

I think it's the stem that is harvested, killing the plant. They are slow growing. It probably could be harvested sustainably if you ensure replacement plants grow, but I don't know how long it takes to reach harvest size in your climate.

There are equally good alternative media. That plus the sustainability issue are why we don't use osmunda any more.

[fishmom]

A pertinent thread: Osmunda Mount

[Ray]

The osmunda used for orchid growing is the tangled root mass.

It is usually stripped off the surface of the bog using a cutting blade on a long handle (picture a flattened-out hoe) to separate it from the muck underneath. Then the stems and foliage are cut off.

After washing any mud and muck out of it and air-drying, it's ready to use.

[Mabris]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I think it's the stem that is harvested, killing the plant. They are slow growing. It probably could be harvested sustainably if you ensure replacement plants grow, but I don't know how long it takes to reach harvest size in your climate.

There are equally good alternative media. That plus the sustainability issue are why we don't use osmunda any more.

It's reached the point where it's intruding into my mallow and swamp (rose) milkweed, so it's ready for some thinning. It is in an area of the yard where natural grading directs 1/2 acre of yard water, plus roof effluent. I also pump RO discharge to my sump pump and it gets output in this area as well. Apparently all that water makes for good growing.

The new area I'm planning is slated for even more native heavy-moisture prairie plants, and a section dedicated to these ferns would be great.

There may be other equally good media, but none growing like weeds in my yard!

---------- Post added at 12:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

The osmunda used for orchid growing is the tangled root mass.

It is usually stripped off the surface of the bog using a cutting blade on a long handle (picture a flattened-out hoe) to separate it from the muck underneath. Then the stems and foliage are cut off.

After washing any mud and muck out of it and air-drying, it's ready to use.

Thanks, I was wondering if it was gonna be shallow/wide vs deep/narrow. What you described sounds easier than what I was fearing. It spread a good 20 square feet this lat year, so I think I can take a good chunk out of the center of the patch.

[Ray]

The stuff grows in roadside ditches around here, but in clumps, rather than patches. Sometimes, after a big rain, you can dig up one edge and peel it away from the substrate like a carpet.