Miscanthus Biofuel

Ornamental grasses are no longer for the garden alone.  They have entered the world of renewable energy.  Some ornamental grasses, of course, are more suitable for ethanol than others.  For instance,  Miscanthus Giganteus, as advertised by some nurseries is also known as Miscanthus floridulus, or Giant Chinese silver grass or Miscanthus japonicus, and is a native of Japan, Taiwan and the Pacific Islands.   This hardy member of the ornamental grasses family loves full sun; tolerates almost any kind of soil; is moderately drought tolerant; holds up well in wind and snow. Even in cold, snowy climates, Giant Chinese silver grass remains upright throughout the winter.   It has one drawback, however, and that is – it needs lots of room to develop fully.  At maturity some plants grow well over six feet in height.

Miscanthus x giganteus is a little different than the shorter ornamental grasses.  It is a tad more hardy; but even in more northerly climes, plant the rhizomes only in late spring to early summer when the soil is warm, about the same time you plant your beans or corn.  If you plant in the fall roots may not grow enough to withstand the cold and wet of winter and thus will not live.  Miscanthus rhizomes do not tolerate frost very well.  You can minimize frost damage by growing a cover crop over winter or spreading the harvested crop ground with hay.

If you are raising Miscanthus for biofuel production you will get a yield of ten to fifteen tons per acre.  You will have further income potential through carbon credits when the crop is grown for alternative fuels.