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Questions About the Vetiver Plant
Questions About the Vetiver System
Questions About Ordering, Shipping, etc.
Questions About Us
Questions About the Vetiver Plant
What is this Vetiver plant, exactly?
Vetiver is the key element in a low cost and
efficient system, used in nearly 100 countries, for soil and water
conservation, infrastructure stabilization, pollution control, waste
water treatment, mitigation and rehabilitation, sediment control,
prevention of storm damage and many other environmental protection
applications (through bioengineering and phytoremediation).
The
basis of The Vetiver System (VS) is that when Vetiver is planted as a
hedgerow across a slope, it forms a very dense vegetative barrier that
slows down and spreads rainfall runoff. Pretty simple!!! Then combine
this with a very deep and strong root system (1/6 the strength of mild
steel), a wide range of pH tolerance from about pH 3 to pH 11, a high
tolerance to most heavy metals, an ability to remove from soil and water
large quantities of excess nitrates, phosphates and farm chemicals, and
an attribute of sterility and non-invasiveness, we have a plant that,
with some modifications to its application, can be used for soil and
water conservation, engineered construction site stabilization,
pollution control (constructed wetlands), and most other uses where soil
and water come together. More information on
this subject can be found on our blog post:
What is Vetiver?
Can you sell me seeds for this plant?
This Vetiver, from the
southern India cultivars, produces few flowers and the seed from
those flowers will not germinate in natural conditions. This is one of
the most valuable characteristics of Vetiver when used in bioengineering
applications – it is the assurance that the plant will not spread and
become invasive in areas where it is introduced. Propagation is only
done by means of root division, a process that you can see in our page
Vetiver Production in this store. As a certified grower
by The Vetiver Network International, we only propagate
and sell plants known to be non-fertile. More
information on this subject can be found on our blog post:
Weed Potential of Vetiver.
Do you sell bare-root slips?
Under favorable conditions, bare-root slips could
be an option. An effective slip must have at least three growing tillers
or shoots and have a well-developed root bundle. Under favorable soil
and humidity conditions, most slips will develop into good plants.
Replanting dead slips over the first 90 days can be laborious and
expensive. You must ensure that no breaches remain in the hedges that
may become an "Achilles tendon" to your hedgerow. Survival of bare-root
plugs is seldom better than 80%.
Our plants have been hardened
for a long time under nursery conditions and have a much greater root
development. In difficult soils or conditions, our plants will perform
better and will become a firm hedgerow in less time than slips.
Bare-root slips will require more diligent watering and fertilization,
but are a cost-effective alternative only for experienced users.
If you require a large number of bare-root slips, please contact us to
discuss your requirements.
Is this the type of Vetiver that is used in
perfumes and cosmetics?
Yes, Chrysopogon zizanioides is the source of the
Oil of Vetiver. The oil is produced commercially from its roots by means
of a steam distillation process. For us not having that fancy equipment,
the roots can be harvested from plants around a year old, washed well,
and used in sachets or bundles to perfume lingerie drawers. The aroma is
woody and subdued and will last several months. After harvesting the
roots, the plant can be divided and replanted for the next year.
More information on this subject can be found
on our blog post:
Vetiver Oil – The Oil of Tranquility.
Will this Vetiver survive the winter of the
northern states?
Vetiver is a tropical plant, and will do well in
tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean climates. The USDA considers it
adapted to Zones 9 to 11. In the USA, the plant has been known to
survive soil temperatures of 14 deg. F. but this is not a recommended
environment. In borderline locations, cutting the plant down very close
to the ground and mulching heavily has been effective for winter
survival. In summary, if the soil is permanently frozen in winter, the
plant will be killed - but it will survive a sporadic snowfall.
More information on this subject can be found
on our blog post:
Cold Weather Tolerance of Vetiver.
What happens when it dies? Will you be able to
replace it given such a root system?
Once the plant is well established, it is not
likely to die very easily unless affected by frost, herbicides, or
physical damage. If a plant dies for any reason, its root system will
decompose over time like any other vegetative matter. If you can’t wait,
dig in six to eight inches into the soil with a pickaxe, and replace the
plant filling in with fresh soil.
Questions About the Vetiver System
Should I use a separation of 4"or 6" between
plants?
The Vetiver System (VS) recommends a distance of 4
to 6 inches between plants in order to ensure a strong hedgerow in the
shortest possible time. Our plants have a well developed root system
upon delivery and, in most cases, can be safely planted at the maximum
6-inch separation. Bare-root tillers should be planted at a 3 to 4-inch
separation because the undeveloped root system will take much longer to
become established and may also have a high mortality rate.
Questions About Ordering, Shipping, etc.
Do I need to order a Phytosanitary permit?
We are certified for export by the Puerto Rico
Department of Agriculture. Our certificate can be seen in our
Credentials page. Our Vetiver plants are shipped in a potting mix
composed of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. No natural soil or sand
is in the mix. Our plants will pass a phytosanitary inspection and we can provide you with a certificate when you order one
in the same order as your plants. It is your responsibility to check
with your local regulatory agencies and determine if a certificate is
required. We are not responsible for delays or confiscation due to the
lack of proper documentation. Due to the distances and scheduling
involved to obtain a certificate, shipping your order may be delayed for
several days.
Can I have Vetiver plants shipped to my address
in Hawaii?
Only if you are very patient. Even with the
proper permits, Hawaii has a two-year quarantine on any and all grasses
entering the state. Contact us on email for a referral to a reliable
local source.
Can I have Vetiver plants shipped to my (outside
the USA) country?
If you are not on USA territory, we can only ship
plants to you if your country allows imports of plant materials without
permits and red tape. Most don’t. Shipping costs also make this an unatractive
alternative. Contact us on email for a referral to other reliable sources
worldwide.
Can I buy these plants at my neighborhood garden
center?
Hopefully some day. For now, few stores will stock these plants and you may
not be able to verify their provenance. Get your plants from reputable growers
that are members of
The Vetiver Network
International.
Questions About Us
I need more plants than you show on the
calculation tables. Can you handle it?
Our tables cover the most typical distances found
in residential situations and small stabilization projects. If you have
a large project or you are a contractor on a large project, please
contact us on email with details of your requirements. We can supply any
size of project and will work with you to determine your solution and
best pricing alternative. More information on
this subject can be found on our blog post:
Christiansted By-pass, St. Croix.
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