More on grasses

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wellingtoncdm

More on grasses

Post by wellingtoncdm » Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:25 pm

I though this article by Doug Hill and Marcus Pollard on grasses, aviaries and finches was interesting.

http://www.finchsociety.org/fsa/grass/grass.htm

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Re: More on grasses

Post by DanteD716 » Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:27 pm

thanks for sharing! I will check it out
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cindy
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Re: More on grasses

Post by cindy » Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:59 pm

Charlie, as soon as our Florida weather is warmer and dys are longer I will start an early crop of millets. I got a bit of a late start this summer and the days got shorter and my grasses had grown, started to get seed heads but died away with not enough sun and weather change...Come spring I will have a grass garden on my lania!

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Re: More on grasses

Post by wellingtoncdm » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:23 pm

Where do you get the millet seed? Form the sprays?

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Re: More on grasses

Post by cindy » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:20 pm

no...I got it from Nancy...I have Brown top, Japanese and German Foxtail. Next time I go to see her I can send you some...Planting in April

You can also order from Herman Bros.

http://www.hermanbros-seed.com/

my thread
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... &start=180

page 13 has the plants coming up.

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Re: More on grasses

Post by CandoAviary » Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:22 pm

Wellington,
I just plant the seeds from the millet spays. As long as the seed is live then it will sprout nicely... and who doesn't have loose spray millet seed available :lol:
green stage
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ripening
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some almost ripe while some still in the green stage.
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.. I tend to pick heads throughout the spring/summer for special bird treats so the plants seem to keep producing over a longer period. I never have dried any for later use. I just order the califonia spay millet by the boxes :D

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Re: More on grasses

Post by CandoAviary » Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:54 pm

Oops...wrong last picture and I couldn't edit... here is the correct photo
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Re: More on grasses

Post by CandoAviary » Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:05 pm

I find that our grass eating finches will sample most any type of seed grass and the ones they don't like for consumption they will love for nesting material (though some grasses will cut their feet... much like papercuts...I avoid pampas grass leaves for this reason)
This giant reed grass is fun. The birds love it for nesting material :D
It also gives the finches some verticle climbing reeds to climb, this provides a great naturally excercise for them. I am always cutting bamboo for them to climb around on... they love playing hide and seek in it.
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mature heads reach up to 2 feet long :shock:
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Cut and placed upright in aviary
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The parrot finches will have this shredded and that purple martin hose stuffed in a couple of days :lol:
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Re: More on grasses

Post by PrettyBird » Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:08 pm

wow Candace! I wish I lived somewhere like you do, that way I would be able to grow so many things!
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Re: More on grasses

Post by cindy » Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:16 pm

Dee, since you have a very long winter you can try growing some with a grow light. Here in Florida we have sun and warm weather for most of the year...things grow fast here!!

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Re: More on grasses

Post by PrettyBird » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:25 pm

Thats a good idea.
Out of curiousity how large do millet plants grow to? (sorry for spelling)
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Re: More on grasses

Post by cindy » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:26 pm

the grasses get tall and can be done in flats or large containers. the Fresh vs Store bought topic listed above shows some of the fields of brown top.

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Re: More on grasses

Post by PrettyBird » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:28 pm

Thanks Cindy, I'll check it out
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Re: More on grasses

Post by Chichireeo » Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:06 pm

Quick questions about growing birdfood. This is my first year trying to grow millet. Cindy and Candace, what's the approximate time table? Should I already be starting seedlings indoors now?
The plants will be grown in a backyard. I am afraid local wild birds will go to town on my crop or foul it up with droppings. Do I need a net cover?
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Re: More on grasses

Post by CandoAviary » Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:51 pm

Can't help you with your growing climate zone. Here it grows pretty much year round. When I notice plants sprouting outdoors where I toss my used seed... well then I know it's time to scatter some in the planters :D

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