Aussie Finch Forum

I got 7 native grasses for free at the Blue Mountains. I am planning on planting them in my new aviary.

Thanks Nathan

did you dig up wild grasses?

No Tithlessjaws,
My Auntie gave them to me they were in pots.

Thanks Nathan

good man. not that i didn't used to dig out wild grasses with my buddy when i was a teen - but these days my conscience would probably get the better of me. there is a great plant nursery near me that sell indigenous grass tubestock (and other plants) of which i have had established in my aviary and front and back garden. i collect the green seedheads in the summer months for finchfood and the aviary specimens are very popular nestsites with my ruddies.

the african foxtail/fountain grasses are available at virtually all nurseries and are very good choices as well.

those grasses woudl be good for nesting but i read that they have sterile seed so probably not much good as food...

flap is correct, the purple fountain grass does have sterile seeds.
The african feathergrass plant should be ok, have heard it is close to be put on the noxious weed list though.

toothlessjaws wrote:these days my conscience would probably get the better of me. .

My conscience would have no problem with replanting reasonable amounts of non-threatened native grass species

Bit like propagating native finches IMO

I get mine beside the 4 wheel drive tracks in and out of State Forests ..no guilt here ,least with me they have a chance . No hope when the weekend warriors mow everything down .

Ok Deb,
I should try that rather than spending $80 on native grasses.

Thanks Nathan

You have to be kinda sure they will grow in your soil . I usually have native plant potting mix with soil from the plants area mixed with it .
Works well for me .