Mike Cooper of Miscanthus Nursery, provides us with a regular update on growing the crop here in the UK and Europe.
The Miscanthus Crop
The growth of the Miscanthus crops has been good due to the residual moisture in the spring which is most important for optimum/high yield. The growing season has be a long one and will go on until the first frost or real large blast of colder weather passes over. The crop will then desiccate, shedding its leaves on to the ground (next year’s Mulch) until the crop is stood like Bamboo in straight lines ready to harvest in the Spring.
The Market
The Miscanthus Market is very buoyant as is the demand for more sustainable Biomass. The Biomass statement was well illustrated recently in a BBC statement announcing Energy company Drax has abandoned a £1bn project to introduce carbon capture technology to cut emissions, but that the company would now be concentrating on biomass technology which Ms. Thompson said was “the most affordable, the most reliable and the fastest move away from fossil fuels” to the energy of the future.
Planting
Orders are now being taken for 2016 planting. Miscanthus is currently only produced from a rhizome, therefore crops have to be lifted during the ‘Dormant season’ December through to early March (weather dependant) and the rhizomes produced/stored in low temperature conditions to avoid premature budding.
Order your rhizomes now
Miscanthus Rhizomes are now available to order, prices start at £425.00 per acre (subject to size of order) – please get in contact using the form below and we will come straight back to you.
Contact Mike for more information on planting, cane sales and farm open days.
Mike Cooper is Managing Director at Miscanthus Nursery Ltd.
