| Common Name | Frosted Explosion Grass (Panicum), Foxtail Millet (Setaria) |
| Genus | Panicum, Setaria |
| Species | p. Elegans (Panicum), s. Italica (Setaria) |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Life Cycle | Tender Annual |
| Tray Size | 125 |
| Plug Care | Plant plugs immediately after hardening off. Do not let plugs become rootbound or dry out in their plug trays as this will negatively affect the overall success of the plant. |
| Netting / Staking | Not usually required. Taller varieties (Setaria) may benefit from support in windy areas. One layer of netting would suffice, but is not absolutely necessary. |
| Temperature Range | Warm-season grasses; thrive in temperatures between 70-90°F. Not frost-tolerant. Can be grown as an annual across the US. |
| Spacing | Panicum should be spaced about 9" apart, and Setaria about 6" apart. |
| Soil Preference | Adaptable to various soil types but performs best in well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral pH. Irrigate well through the growing season for the best quality cuts - drought conditions will result in short/stunted stems. |
| Day Length | Setaria is a short-day plant, flowering best as the days get shorter towards the end of summer; Panicum is an obligate long-day plant and flowers best during the long days of late spring/early summer. All ornamental grass requires full sun for the best quality cutting material. |
| Pinching | Do not pinch. |
| When to Plant | Plant in the spring after all frost has passed (these annual grasses are not frost hardy). Planting into cold soil can cause small plants and short stems. For best results, wait until the soil has warmed before planting (IE when you would plant zinnias). |
| Harvesting | For fresh use, harvest when seed heads are fully formed but before seeds begin to shed. For drying, harvest when seed heads are mature and hang upside down somewhere dry, well ventilated and out of the sun. Setaria makes a better dried flower than panicum, which is too fine and brittle. |
| Post Harvest Care | For fresh use in arrangements or bouquets, place cut stems immediately into a bucket with cool water. Store in a cooler until needed. |
| Diseases / Insects | Rarely affected by pests or diseases. Maintain good airflow to prevent fungal issues. |
| Bailey's Notes | Ornamental grasses provide excellent texture and movement to bouquets. Their versatility makes them a must-have for any cut flower operation. |
| Resources | NA |