Overview:
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii (Porsild) Hultén is a species of flowering plant in the grass family. It is commonly known as the "Jordal's bluegrass". This plant is native to North America and is found in various regions across Canada and the United States.
Description:
Jordal's bluegrass is a perennial grass that can grow up to 60 cm tall. The root system is fibrous and spreads horizontally over the ground. The stems are erect and can be glabrous or pubescent. The leaves are narrow and flat, ranging from 2-12 cm in length and 1-4 mm in width. Their color can vary from green to blue-green. The inflorescence is a panicle that contains 3-8 spikes that are 5-15mm long.
Uses:
Jordal's bluegrass is an important forage plant for livestock and wildlife. It is also used for erosion control and soil stabilization in areas with disturbed soil. It is also a good plant for landscaping and can be used as a ground cover due to its low growing habit.
Cultivation:
Jordal's bluegrass typically grows in areas with moist to wet soil, such as wet meadows, marshes, and streambanks. It can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. The plant generally prefers cooler climates and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 2-7. It can be propagated through seed or through division of the root system.
Conclusion:
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii is an important plant for grazing livestock and wildlife. It is also used as a soil stabilizer and landscaping plant due to its low growing habit. This grass is native to North America and can be found in various regions across Canada and the United States.
Light Requirements
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii (Porsild) Hultén requires full sun to partial shade to grow to its full potential. This species prefers bright and direct light in areas with moderate to high humidity.
Temperature Requirements
This subspecies prefers cool and moist climates. It grows best in temperatures between 10°C - 20°C during the day and 0°C - 5°C at night. It can withstand colder temperatures as well but may not grow as well in warmer climates.
Soil Requirements
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii (Porsild) Hultén prefers well-drained soils with good organic matter content, although it can also grow in soils of low to moderate fertility. It does not tolerate heavy or waterlogged soils. This species prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 6-7.
Cultivation methods
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii (Porsild) Hultén is a hardy plant that is easy to cultivate. It is typically grown in well-draining soil, whether it be sandy, loamy, or clay. The plant can tolerate both partial shade and full sun, but it grows best in an area where it receives partial sun exposure. The seeds of the plant can be sown in early spring or fall, and young plants can also be transplanted in the spring or fall.
Watering needs
While Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii (Porsild) Hultén is a hardy plant, it is still important to provide it with regular moisture. The plant should be watered regularly, particularly during the dry season or in hot weather. It is important not to overwater the plant, as this can lead to root rot. To prevent this, it is recommended that the plant is watered deeply, but infrequently.
Fertilization
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii (Porsild) Hultén does not require heavy fertilization, but can benefit from occasional fertilization during the growing season. A slow-release fertilizer can be added to the soil in the spring, and a liquid fertilizer can be applied every three to four weeks during the growing season. It is important not to over-fertilize the plant, as this can lead to excessive growth, which can make it more vulnerable to disease and pests.
Pruning
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii (Porsild) Hultén does not require regular pruning, but dead or damaged leaves and stems can be removed to help promote new growth. Additionally, the plant should be trimmed back to control its size and shape, if desired. Pruning should be done in early spring or fall before new growth appears.
Propagation of Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii can be propagated by both seed or vegetative methods.
Propagation by Seed
The plant produces seeds which can be used to propagate new plants. For successful seed propagation, the seeds must be collected when they are fully mature. This is usually when the seed heads turn brown and start to open up. Once the seeds have been collected, they must be dried and stored in a cool, dry place. When it's time to plant, the seeds should be directly sown into the soil.
Propagation by Vegetative Methods
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii can also be propagated by vegetative methods such as division and transplantation. Division involves separating the root system of the plant into smaller clumps, which can be replanted into the soil. Transplantation involves removing a portion of the plant, including a section of the roots, and replanting it in a new location.
Regardless of which propagation method is used, it's important to ensure that the plant is grown in an appropriate environment. Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii thrives in full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Adequate watering and fertilization are also important for successful growth.
Disease Management
Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii is a relatively disease-resistant species of grass. However, it is still susceptible to certain diseases.
One common disease that can affect Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii is leaf spot. This disease is caused by a fungal pathogen and can be identified by the appearance of dark spots on the grass blades. To manage leaf spot on your grass, it is important to maintain good lawn care practices such as proper mowing, adequate irrigation, and fertilizer management. Additionally, applying a fungicide can help to prevent the spread of the disease.
Another disease that can affect Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii is dollar spot. This disease is also caused by a fungal pathogen and is identified by the appearance of small, silver-dollar-sized spots on the grass blades. To manage dollar spot on your grass, it is important to maintain good lawn care practices such as proper mowing, adequate irrigation, and fertilizer management. Additionally, applying a fungicide can help to prevent the spread of the disease.
Pest Management
Like many species of grass, Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii is susceptible to certain pests.
One common pest that can affect Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii is the Japanese beetle. These beetles feed on the grass blades and can cause significant damage to the plant. To manage Japanese beetle infestations on your grass, you can handpick the beetles and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Additionally, applying a pesticide can help to control the population of these pests.
Another pest that can affect Poa abbreviata R. Br. ssp. jordalii is the white grub. These grubs feed on the roots of the grass and can cause significant damage to the plant. To manage white grub infestations on your grass, it is important to maintain good lawn care practices such as proper mowing and irrigation. Additionally, applying a pesticide can help to control the population of these pests.
