Dear FishinRod,
Vetiver grass is probably getting more interested all over the world. To me it's still not fast enough to help people to protect their environment. You can learn more from
www.vetiver.org for all the information about the grass.
Vetiver is not like other grasses. Its root system is not laterally spread but only vertically deep down in to the soil. In most cases, its root can penetrate as deep as 2-5 meters into the soil. The root system can form as an underground wall and hold the soil particle together tightly. The grass will produce tiller tightly and closely together to form an above ground wall to filter sediment from runoff rain water. More importantly this grass is not fertile. It will flower but their seed is not viable in nature. The vetiver is not evasive unlike cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica).
USDA had already approved to use in several states e.g.. Louisiana, Florida etc. It may be more, I'm not sure.
Propagation is pretty easy by tiller separation or cutting. I use peat moss as growing medium. I use forestry seedling tray, which has volume about 100 ml. It will take about 8 weeks to be ready for field transplanting. Remember I'm in Thailand which the temperature range is about 25-37 degree celcius. In your condition it might take more time. One more thing, the vetiver grass can be tolerated from minus 15 to 50 degree celcius. You can also put it float in the water to clear polluted water too.
I have many good pictures about vetiver in my folder in my Facebook account. Please visit me at
www.facebook.com/taweesak.klinkong .
Welcome to the club.
