Origin
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery, also known as Yellow Foxtail, is a warm-season annual grass that is native to North America.
Common Names
Aside from Yellow Foxtail, Setaria glauca sensu Vickery also goes by a few common names such as Wild Foxtail, Setaria glauca, and Green Foxtail.
Uses
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery is used for various purposes. For example, it is commonly used as a forage grass for livestock. It is also used as an ornamental grass for its showy and attractive seeds.
In addition, it has been used for medicinal purposes to treat conditions such as diarrhea, dysentery, and bacterial infections. Some Native American tribes have also used the leaves of the plant to make poultices.
General Appearance
Yellow Foxtail has an erect leafy stem that can grow up to 3 feet in height. Its leaves are narrow and tapering and can range in color from green to bluish-green. The plant produces a cluster of spikelets at the top of the stem. These spikelets are yellow-green in color and have a bushy appearance, giving the plant its foxtail-like characteristic.
The plant blooms from June to September, and its seeds are usually dispersed by wind. The seeds are small, shiny, and yellowish-brown in color, and they are encased in a hard and glabrous outer coat.
Growth Conditions for Setaria glauca sensu Vickery
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery is an annual plant that is found in North America, South America, and Asia. It belongs to the family Poaceae and is commonly known as yellow foxtail or foxtail bristlegrass. This plant grows in a wide range of habitats, including roadsides, fields, ditches, and disturbed areas.
Light
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery requires full sun to grow and develop properly. It is an adaptable plant that can tolerate some shade, but it will not thrive under such conditions. The recommended minimum amount of sunlight is about six hours per day.
Temperature
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery is a warm-season plant that requires a temperature range of 18°C to 30°C (65°F to 86°F) to grow and develop properly. It can survive in colder temperatures but will not grow or develop at optimal rates. The best growth occurs during the summer months, where the temperature is consistently warm.
Soil Requirements
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery grows well in a range of soil types, including loam, clay-loam, and sandy soils. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils with a pH range between 5.5 and 7.5. The soil must be well-drained, as this plant does not tolerate waterlogged soil conditions. Proper fertilization and regular watering are necessary to ensure optimal growth and development.
Cultivation Methods
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, it is best to sow the seeds in well-drained soil after the last frost date. The seeds should be planted at a depth of 1/4 inch and spaced 6 inches apart. Indoors, the plant can be propagated in potting soil and placed in a sunny area of the house.
Watering Needs
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery requires consistent moisture to thrive. It is important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Watering once a week is generally sufficient, but the frequency will depend on factors such as the climate and soil type.
Fertilization
Fertilization can help promote the growth and health of Setaria glauca sensu Vickery. It is recommended to use a balanced fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package carefully to avoid over-fertilizing.
Pruning
Regular pruning can help keep Setaria glauca sensu Vickery tidy and healthy. It is best to prune the plant in the spring or fall when the growing season is slow. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to remove any dead or diseased foliage, as well as any overgrown or crossing branches. Avoid pruning too much at once, as this can stunt the plant's growth.
Propagation of Setaria Glauca Sensu Vickery
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery, commonly referred to as yellow foxtail, is an annual grass species that belongs to the Poaceae family. The plant is commonly found in disturbed habitats such as agricultural fields and roadsides. Propagation of Setaria glauca sensu Vickery can be done through various methods.
Seed Propagation
The most common and preferred method of propagating Setaria glauca sensu Vickery is through seed propagation. The plant produces large quantities of seeds, which are easily harvested and stored. The seeds are fairly small and can be sown directly into soil or started in pots indoors. When starting seeds indoors, it is recommended to use a sterile seed-starting mix and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Transplanting should occur when the seedlings reach a height of about 3 inches.
Vegetative Propagation
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery can also be propagated vegetatively through stem cuttings. This method is usually used for large scale propagation or to maintain specific cultivars. The stem cuttings should be taken from healthy plants and should have 3-4 nodes. The cuttings should then be planted in a rooting medium and kept moist until roots form. After the roots have formed, the plant can be transplanted into soil.
Division
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery can also be propagated through division. This method is used to maintain specific cultivars or to rejuvenate old, overgrown plants. The plant should be carefully dug up and divided into sections with at least one healthy shoot per section. The sections should be planted immediately in well-draining soil and kept moist until established.
Overall, Setaria glauca sensu Vickery is a relatively easy plant to propagate. With proper care and attention, it can quickly establish and thrive in a variety of habitats.
Disease Management
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery is known to be susceptible to various fungal diseases, including rust and leaf spot. Rust is a fungal disease that causes orange or brownish-colored spots on leaves, while leaf spot causes small, circular brown spots on leaves that can merge and form larger patches.
To manage rust, it is essential to remove and destroy all infected plant parts as soon as they are detected. Fungicides containing triadimefon, myclobutanil, or tebuconazole can effectively manage rust. For leaf spot, it is recommended to prune infected leaves and branches and apply fungicides containing copper sulfate or neem oil.
Pest Management
Setaria glauca sensu Vickery is also susceptible to pest attacks, including aphids, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that suck sap from leaves, causing yellowing and distortion. Grasshoppers, on the other hand, target the foliage and can consume large amounts, leading to defoliation. Caterpillars, such as armyworms, can cause severe damage to the plant by consuming foliage and stems.
Managing these pests can be done through various methods, including manual removal, natural predators, and insecticides. Pruning affected plant parts and manually removing visible pests can be an effective strategy for small infestations. Introducing natural predators, such as ladybugs and lacewings, can also help maintain pest populations. For severe pest infestations, insecticides containing pyrethrum, spinosad, or imidacloprid can be applied.
