Umbrella Palm Propagation by stem cutting | Cyperus alternifolius

Umbrella Palm is a grass-like plant. The scientific name for Umbrella Palm is Cyperus alternifolius. Cyperus is the genus that includes the majority of grass-like monocotyledonous plants. The name Umbrella given to Cyperus alternifolius is due to its foliage look and arrangement similar to Umbrella.

These plants are small in size resembling closely with grass families and are flowering plants as well. Another term used for the family Cyperaceae is graminoid translating ̎ the grass-like plants ̎.

Generally, this plant is native to almost all regions of the World supporting plant life especially; African regions have many varieties and sub-species of Umbrella Palm.

It has gained popularity in the horticulture department as one of the sub-species named Cyperus alternifolius ssp. flabelliformis has won different Royal Horticulture Sociality (for being a lovely ornamental plant) awards on garden merits.

A subspecies Variegatus’ is cultivated for its attractive variegated foliage to enhance gardens. It is easy to grow and manage Umbrella Palm plants, as they can be grown as indoor plants, they can be planted in different-sized pots such as hanging pots, and they can also be planted on soft soil beds. It grows to a maximum of 16 to 50 inches. Moist soils and standing waters are more favorable places where these plants can easily grow and spread^[1]JAHAN, M. S., UDDIN, M. N., RAHMAN, A., RAHMAN, M. M. & AMINB, M. N. 2016. Soda pulping of umbrella palm grass (cyperus flabettiformic). Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 1, 85-91. Read.

Propagation by stem-cutting

There are different methods to propagate these grass-like plants, Umbrella Palm. With seeds, it can take months to have plantlets emerge out of the soil and the plant seeds are not readily available to sow. One of the artificial propagation methods is stem cutting.

Although layering is also effective it has some limitations. The soil is prepared with a mixture of organic mulch and sand moisture in the form of water. Fully damped soil is prepared and for this, we can add vermiculite as well. Isopropyl is used for sterilization of pruning sheer to avoid any fungal infection.

Make some cuttings of healthy branches from tips having leaf nodes on them almost 6 to 7 inches long. The soil is made ready with a finger or a pencil to dig a hole. Insert a lower one-third leafless portion into the pot.

This kind of pruning will also trigger more branching in the parent plant of which we are intended to form clones. Plants are taken care of concerning light to moderate sunlight and moisture content is also maintained which is essential for its rapid growth^[2]MORTON, J. F. 1988. Notes on distribution, propagation, and products of Borassus palms (Arecaceae). Economic botany, 42, 420-441. Read.

Care of Cyperus alternifolius

Baby plantlets are taken care of by the duration and intensity of sunlight that directly is related to moisture content. Proper watering is done to keep moisture content high although, mature plants withstand dry conditions as well.

The Cyperus alternifolius or related species have been seen behaving as a heavy feeder. They tend to extract more nutrients from the soil. So, one must pay regular attention to the addition of some recommended dilute fertilizers to the soil growing Cyperus alternifolius.

The more consistent dry condition will turn the tips and foliage of the Umbrella Palm brown. A slightly acidic pH is more effective. Pruning and foliage cutting will help to grow more branches to keep the ground covered and also help to avoid fungal diseases. Pesticides are recommended in summer^[3]FLIMLIN, G. & POMEROY, R. 2008. Growing ornamental aquatic plants as a business in the northeastern United States. Northeastern Reg. Aquacult. Ctr., College Park, MD. Read.