Leaf damage can be assessed fairly thoroughly within a few days, once the temperatures are warmer. It may take longer to see how much damage was done to dormant buds. Sometimes unbranched culms stay green for years after a freeze, but their buds were killed, so they can never produce leaves. The forms of B. textilis and B. chungii are pretty good at losing their leaves without receiving permanent damage. The others you mentioned seem less hardy. I have no experience with B. contracta.Ophiuchus wrote:Good morning, I hope your plants weathered well. I have leaf burn on all my plants, in ground and in pots. With the exception of Fernleaf and Chinese Goddess that are in 3gal pots. Burned leaf species include Graceful, Emerald, Kanapaha, Asian Lemon, Blue Chugii, Old Hamii and Contracta.
I haven't notice too much top kill yet on in ground plants, how long does it take to die off? I've got my fingers crossed new leaves will emerge after this brutal storm.
Can you still divide culms that have been top killed?
If the culm has any green left, you should be able to use it for a division. If the branch buds were killed, the plant will be less vigorous at first. Especially with divisions like this, it is important to divide before any growth starts. I once made divisions just shortly after growth had started, and the dividions really suffered (but they did live). Basically, they will have enough carbohydrate reserves and rhizome buds for one good surge of growth in the spring. If you damage that flush, they will have a much harder time, and be weak for a while.