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Orchardgrass
| Scientific name: | Dactylis glomerata |
| Cultivars: | Medium to late maturing: Haymate, Quickdraw
Late maturing: Echelon |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Growth Habit: | Bunch, 2-4 ft |
| Life Cycle: | Perennial |
| Use | |
| Production: | Hay and pasture.
Early spring growth |
| Nutritive Value: | |
| Identification | |
| Seed Head: | Panicle (2 to 8 in long), 3 to 5 florets/spikelet |
| Seed: | 1/4 inch long, plumes attached |
| Shoot: | Flat stem at base. Light green (chalky) |
| Leaf: | broad (2 to 8 mm wide); v-shaped; bluish-green |
| Auricles: | None |
| Ligule: | Membranous, prominent with ragged edges, cut or splits |
| Adaptation | |
| Soil: | Sandy loam |
| pH: | 5.8 to 7.0 but will grow up to 8.0 |
| Moisture: | Fair drought tolerance |
| Temperature: | Fair winter hardiness |
| Other: | Will not grow well in waterlogged soils |
| Establishment - Management | |
| Seeding rate: | 10 to 15 lb/acre (alone); 3-5 lb/acre (in mixtures)
It's very aggressive not compatible with low growing legumes Easy to establish |
| Seed cost: | ~$3 to 4.25/lb; ~$30-40/acre (alone); ~$10-20/acre (mixes) |
| Planting date: | Early spring (March thru April 15) to late summer (Aug. 15 to early Sep) |
| Planting depth: | 1/4 to 1/2 in |
| Frost seeding: | Good |
| Fertilization: | Add lime, P, and K based on test results.
When growing with legumes no N is needed. 70 to 150 lb N/acre if growing grass only. Apply in split applications (early spring and summer). |
| Grazing: | |
| Hay: | |
| Notes | |
| Photos | |
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