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pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 17:42
by Pete Sara
Hello fellow finchers, Now does anyone use the seed heads/ flowers from pampas grass for the use of nesting material. We have a ton of it at work at the moment and would like to know the following:

when do you pick it.

how long do you dry it for.

thanks in advance...pete

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 18:02
by Fincho162
Used to use it for years but cannot get it here any more alas.

Cut it when the heads are extended and then dry it until all moisture is gone............the fluffy stage.................we use to stick a milk crate in the yard and shove the head sin upright.....place in sun...job dun................birds luv them

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 18:20
by E Orix
The same here used it when I could get it. It was gazzetted a noxious weed so it is hard to find especially around here.
The Parrot Finches used it.I stripped the heads into smaller pieces so they could carry it.

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 18:56
by gomer
Still have it growing along the road here. Crimsons among others love it. I wait untill it is really fluffy before harvesting it. I am at the tail end of some I harvested atleast three years ago.

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 19:27
by Pete Sara
Thanks guys, its declared a noxious weed here to , but the golf course is on an old tip , so all it took was one plant and they have spread so I am going to take advantage of the situation and start trimming... pete

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 19:29
by venetta
Haha we went hunting for some of that down the road last weekend.. didn't know what it was called!

Was hard to get to here though! Bring us some Pete :)

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 20:37
by Pete Sara
get your own girlie, if i am going to get cut by the stuff its for me... its sharp grass...pete

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 09 Mar 2012, 20:59
by venetta
We know! Kylie cut herself last weekend!

Maybe we'll go for a round of golf ;D

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 10 Mar 2012, 01:36
by gomer
Easy to harvest if you have a tray ute reverse into it and cut the heads straight off. That way you are at a good height and the tray holds back the sharp foliage.

Re: pampas grass

Posted: 10 Mar 2012, 09:48
by arthur
Yes its good stuff . .

Provided that it is growing in somebody else's backyard :D