‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is a cultivar of Chrysopogon Zizanioides with characteristics of South Indian Genotypes. Among it’s most useful applications, Vetiver grass is used in Prevention and Treatment of Contaminated Water & Land, Soil Erosion Control, Slope Protection, etc. It is drought tolerant, wind resistant, fire resistant, and will grow in unfertile soil and rocky areas. It’s seeds are sterile and ‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is considered non-invasive. ‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass has no stolons or rhizomes, therefore will not escape and become a weed. Where you plant it is where it will stay.
‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass will grow into a dense hedge row with a deep and tough root system. It’s roots will bind soil and penetrate up to 12 feet. It has 1/6th the strength of mild steel. It will effectively reduce flow velocities and act as a filter, holding back soil while letting water through. It is not rigid like manmade structures so it can better withstand acts of nature. It is commonly used to support highways and riverways. ‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass can be found in over 120 countries throughout the world.
‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is a perennial grass adapted to the tropics and sub-tropics originally from South India. ‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is most effectively used for erosion control, slope stabilization, and wastewater treatment. When planted in a row, it forms a thick dense vegetative hedge. It is ideal as a vegetative barrier because it is non-sterile, has long roots, stiff stems, and can thrive in very poor soil. Vetivergrass thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates making it ideal in facing Hawaii’s ever growing erosion concerns.
‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is considered sterile, because it can only be reproduced asexually. There is a very low risk for Vetivergrass to spread, because the seeds will not germinate. And of the seeds that do, none of them has shown to have survived. Where you plant ‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is where it will stay.
The roots of Vetivergrass may grow to lengths of 12 feet. This mass of roots, binds the soil preventing soil loss. The roots do not grow laterally so they do not compete with other plants when used to border gardens. Vetivergrass has 1/6th the strength of mild steel with the flexibility to withstand acts of nature that may otherwise damage rigid structures.
‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass may grow to heights of 8 feet. Within this grass are long stiff stems that are most effective in slowing the velocity of the silt-laden runoff, which traps sediment, and causes the deposition of silt behind the barrier. This creates a natural terrace behind the barrier while allowing water to pass through.
‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass has been to known to thrive in unfertile and rocky soil. It will grow in a wide variety of soil conditions from sandy to sandy loam and clay. Vetivergrass can tolerate saline soils and a range of heavy metal soils. The ideal elevation for Vetiver grass is between sea level and 4000 feet. It has been known to have survived in temperatures as low as 14 degrees F. Ideal PH is between 4 to 7.5. Vetivergrass needs at least 35 inches of water per year, anything less requires supplemental moisture.
‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass can be an effective vegetative barrier in as little as 6 months. It’s roots have been recorded to reach down up to 3 meters within the first year. ‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass thrives in the harshest of environments and extreme soil conditions. It does not pose a risk of spreading as it’s seeds are non-fertile. ‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is strong enough to hold up highways and riverways but gentle enough that it will not compete with the plants it is protecting. It is cheap and easy to establish while being an effective hedge that is easily maintained by the user at little cost. And Vetivergrass can be easily killed and removed when no longer required.
‘Sunshine’ Vetiver grass is used in removing nitrates and phosphates from contaminated water. It has also been used to rehabilitate mines and control leachate from landfills. Vetivergrass has been used to reclaim soils and increase productivity in areas that were believed to be totally unproductive.