Chionochloa flavicans, otherwise known as Miniature Toetoe, are beautiful, ornamental grasses that are favoured for their lush foliage, compact growth habit, interesting flowers, and great aesthetics. They are generally trouble free, easy to grow, and very rewarding. Follow our tips to get the most from your Miniature Toetoe plants.
Miniature Toetoe care is about making sure the plants are thriving. Our plant care articles provide the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into planting for them to fail. Therefore, follow our advice and give yourself the best chance of success.
The most important part starts with planting, and our article, How To Plant A Dwarf Toe Toe, provides sound advice on how to do this properly. So, let’s now assume your plant is growing well and you want to keep it that way!
Winter is the perfect time for mulching your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with mulch. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company does not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter such as compost is quite okay.
Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our Native Plant Fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is our organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but they will require a secondary application in autumn.
Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken every second day on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet.
Caring for Miniature Toetoe in autumn is about keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.
Plants should be checked for pest or disease issues during spring, summer, and autumn. If anything is looking unusual, refer to our articles under Dwarf Toe Toe Issues And Troubleshooting.
Leaf spotting can result from black spot disease, which is a similar disease that affects roses. It usually only affects weak plants when conditions are wet or highly humid. It is not common with Miniature Toetoe but is easily fixed using a Copper Fungicide. Please always read the label before using any agrichemical.
Providing the best fertiliser for miniature-toetoe is important to ensure the plants thrive. The correct fertiliser depends on whether the plant is grown in a pot or in soil, and getting this wrong can be disastrous for your plants. Our articles provide the best advice about fertiliser for Miniature Toetoe so you can achieve the amazing results you are after.
Miniature Toetoe grown in containers require different fertiliser to those grown outdoors in soil. In this instance the correct fertiliser to use is either container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets. Each of these will provide safe, sustained, and complete nutrition to the plant for the next 12-months. Using other types of fertilisers can be detrimental to the plant and may result in plant injury or death.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets have been used. If you think the plant needs an extra boost or has some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush as the nutrition is right where the plant needs it.
Miniature Toetoe are vigorous plants that require feeding to keep them growing optimally. The Plant Company’s native fertiliser has been blended to give plants the boost they need and then sustained nutrition for the next 12 months. We recommend the fertiliser is applied to the soil surface in spring just as the plants start to grow actively. More importantly, we advise that no fertiliser is placed in the hole at planting, but rather spread around the soil surface so it can wash through the roots as it releases. The Plant Company’s native fertiliser ensures that nutrients remain in the soil around the plant rather than being lost through the soil profile to where the plant cannot reach it. This also applies to plants grown on sandy soils. This fertiliser is therefore very environmentally friendly and longer lasting than most other products in the market.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if Native Plant Fertiliser has been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush.
Miniature Toetoe are showy plants that require feeding to keep them looking amazing. A lot of articles have all sorts of advice on this subject which often requires multiple applications so you use more of their products. The Plant Company prefers to take a simpler and more environmentally responsible approach. We believe the best organic option is The Plant Company organic fertiliser which is applied in spring and again in autumn and will keep them well fed. You can safely apply generous amounts of this fertiliser without risk of injuring the plants. More details about this organic fertiliser are provided with the product.
The soil pH refers to how acid of alkaline the soil is. Miniature Toetoe prefer a soil pH within the range of 6.2 to 7.5 which means they will tolerate both acidic and semi-alkaline soils. As the pH of the soil moves away from this optimum range, the nutrients the plant is taking up (or not taking up) through the roots changes. If the shift in pH is too far, this can result in deficiencies of some nutrients and toxic levels of others. In either case this can cause the plant to become sick or even die a slow death.
The best way to know whether the pH is correct for your plant is to do a test. The Plant Company has pH test kits available that are easy to use and only take a few minutes to get a result. Preferably this test should be completed before planting so any pH issues can be corrected without risking the plant. A pH less 6.2 should have sparing amounts of dolomite lime applied along with Native Plant Fertiliser. A pH above 7.5 should have small amounts of soil acidifying fertiliser applied. In both instances the fertiliser should be thoroughly mixed into the soil before planting. A retest of the soil pH should be undertaken after four weeks and small adjustments made again. If the pH is in the optimum range, just use Native Plant Fertiliser thereafter.
This series of articles answers many of the frequently asked questions about Miniature Toetoe, such as how fast they grow, their hardiness, and more!
The short answer is yes. Miniature Toetoe are generally regarded as being drought tolerant owing to their fibrous and deep penetrating root system. These are the perfect characteristics of plants for erosion control. Such properties also make them well suited for public spaces where they may be trampled from time to time and become exposed to prolonged dry and heat.
Miniature Toetoe can take a heavy frost once established, though very young plants should be protected until they are at least 15-20 cm tall. Frost Cloth is a good option for protecting vulnerable plants if you are worried. Be careful to harden off recently purchased plants if you intend to plant these during winter and frosts are likely. Do this by gradually exposing them to the cooler conditions over a two-week period or until such time as you think that a frost won’t damage them. The Plant Company recommends holding off planting until spring if you are at all worried that new plants might get frosted. Generally speaking, a good sized Miniature Toetoe planted in spring should cope with frosts the following winter.
The short answer is no. It grows as a clump and does not put out roots that would be considered invasive. Plants can, however, spread through seed dispersal, but in this instance, they tend not to establish in an invasive manner.
Miniature Toetoe, also known as Chionochloa flavicans, are beautiful and versatile ornamental grasses with a graceful, arching form. They typically reach 60 cm tall and 1 metre wide.
Miniature Toetoe are generally vigorous and establish quickly. Most will double in size each year. Be sure to start with strong and healthy plants at the outset.
Miniature Toetoe typically reach 60 cm tall and wide but this obviously depends on the growing conditions. The Plant Company has put a lot of effort into determining how big plants will grow in an unrestricted growing environment. Far too often we see people planting a garden too densely and then having to spend a lot of time trimming or removing plants later. This is something we want our customers to avoid and we therefore provide size information for each variety listed so the planning can be right from the start. Be sure to check out our range and the detailed information that accompanies each of our plants.
The Māori name for Chionochloa flavicans is Haumata.
Chionochloa flavicans prefers well-drained soils and tolerates a wide range of elevations, thriving from coastal cliffs to rocky slopes in subalpine regions. It often colonizes areas with relatively sparse vegetation, such as rock faces, talus slopes, and coastal cliffs.
These short articles provide some insight into how you might use Miniature Toetoe plants in different landscaping situations and what you might pair them with.
Miniature Toetoe owe their popularity to not just their aesthetics, but also to their versatility. They are commonly mass planted on banks, used to border paths, or grown where other plants often struggle. They are well suited to planting around living areas, pool, and barbecue areas where they provide a fresh appeal. The lush foliage is fantastic for providing elegance and texture to a planting. The Plant Company often uses them as a foundation planting to highlight specimen trees. They can be included in most garden styles with ease, and make for an exciting addition.
The most common alternatives to Miniature Toetoe are Carex Frosted Curls, dwarf flaxes, and Lomandras. The leaf colouring, plant form, and growing requirements are similar with these alternatives.
A wide range of plants can be grown with Miniature Toetoe. The Plant Company often recommends using flaxes, Astelias, and Muehlenbeckia to bring in different colours, textures, and heights for mass plantings. This avoids what could otherwise become a green carpet. Some popular flax options include Black Rage, Veneer, Yellow Wave, and Dark Delight.
Specimen trees such as Flowering Cherries and Maples are often used with Miniature Toetoe plantings. The Miniature Toetoe plants in this instance serve to accentuate the specimen tree. The good thing about Miniature Toetoe is that they are versatile and blend easily with most plant colours and textures in a subtle and non-overpowering manner.
Miniature toetoe do have problems and disease issues from time to time. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying issue(s) and have the remedies to fix the problem. The Plant Company have produced this series of articles to help you in the quest for answers to address common Miniature Toetoe problems and diseases.
Miniature Toetoe do not suffer from pest issues as a rule. We have seen the odd mealy bug on plants in the nursery but not at levels that would justify spraying them. That said, if pest levels are high and of concern, then a general insecticide can be used for their control. Please always read the label before using any agrichemical.
Grass weeds can be controlled in Miniature Toetoe via one of two ways. The first approach is to paint glyphosate onto leaves of the rouge grass. This requires a lot of patience but is very effective. The second method is to dig out the Miniature Toetoe, remove the weed inclusions, and then put the plant back. The Plant Company recommends using black plastic matting to reduce weeds returning.
Miniature Toetoe may show signs of leaf spot from time to time. This often occurs during hot and humid weather which favours Leaf Spot Fungi. It is often more cosmetic than damaging and the plants will grow through the issue within a few months without any treatment provided conditions change.
Prevention is better than cure for leaf spot diseases. With good air-flow around the plants this issue will rarely present. The other preventative measure is to use low rates of copper fungicide as humid weather sets in.
The most common disease problem with Miniature Toetoe is root rot, which is caused by the fungi, Phytophthora. Phytophthora attacks the roots and causes the plant to eventually die. The tell-tale symptoms are yellowing of the leaves and is often accompanied by wilting of the leaves. This can happen over several months during any season and progressively gets worse. This is all resulting from the root system being progressively weakened by the pathogen. Gardeners will often mistakenly think the plant needs more water. Unfortunately, adding water only accelerates the problem prolonged wetness was generally the cause in the first place.
The best solution to this issue is good drainage. Often the disease will start to show several weeks after a prolonged rain event. It can also occur when plants are regularly over-watered. Therefore, good drainage is essential and sites where drainage is poor should be avoided.
Treatment for Phytophthora can be a hit and miss exercise as there are no silver bullets. However, if picked up early, The Plant Company has experienced some success using Transformer. Transformer does have fungicidal properties and when used as a soil drench 2-3 times, plants can bounce back. However, if the plant is too far gone, The Plant Company recommends removing the plant entirely, and using Transformer as a soil drench before putting in a new plant. Of course, the drainage or watering issues will need to be addressed so the problem does not manifest again.
Nutritional issues can occur from time to time if plants have not been fed for a number of years. This often shows up as discoloured foliage, which, over time will show dead areas on the leaf. A liquid fertiliser can be used to correct issues quickly and should be supported with Native Plant Fertiliser during spring.
Leaf yellowing can result from diseases such as Dwarf Toe Toe Leaf Spot, Phytophthora on Dwarf Toe Toe, as well as poor drainage and too much shade. Occasionally, nutritional issues can occur if plants have not been fed for a number of years. This often shows up as discoloured foliage. A liquid fertiliser can be used to correct issues quickly and should be supported with Native Plant Fertiliser during spring.
If the new growth on your Miniature Toetoe has been killed or damaged by frost, trim off the damaged leaves after the risk of frost has passed. Frost cloth or a blanket may be used to afford protection from further frosts. It is important not to cut off the frosted growth until the risk has passed as this growth, albeit ugly, is helping to shield the plant from further damage.
New shoots tend to be more prone to frost damage than older ones. For this reason, The Plant Company does not recommend applying fertiliser of any kind to plants between mid-autumn and late-winter as this can create softer shoots that are more susceptible to frost.
Small amounts of dead tissue at the ends of older leaves on Miniature Toetoe is common. It is generally the result of over-watering or the plants having endured a prolonged period of wet. The leaf tips can be trimmed using scissors and this won’t affect the plant. The longer-term solution is to reduce watering, improve drainage, or both.
Propagating miniature-toetoe is a relatively straightforward process when you have the right advice. Miniature Toetoe are easily reproduced, and our articles give you the best chance of doing this successfully and efficiently.
Miniature Toetoe are easily propagated by division. Established plants are simply broken apart with roots still attached. This task is usually undertaken any time between late autumn and early spring with plants potted up using growing media for several weeks before planting out again. Take care not to make plants too small as they must have plenty of roots to successfully re-establish.
Miniature Toetoe can also be easily grown from seed. Fresh seed is scattered onto growing media and vermiculite used to cover the seed in a thin layer. The trays are kept warm and moist, with seeds germinating inside of two weeks.
Planting Miniature Toetoe and getting them to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil type, choosing the most ideal planting position, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to ensure success when you are growing Miniature Toetoe plants.
Miniature Toetoe are very easy to grow, but you need to have the basics right. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. The soil should be well prepared with organic matter added from either compost or sheep pellets mixed in. Feeding your plants in spring with Native Plant Fertiliser will replenish nutrients and keep them fed for 12 months. They should also be watered regularly during extended dry periods to keep them flourishing.
Miniature Toetoe can cope with coastal areas provided they are not routinely covered in salt spray. Being constantly coated with sea spray can result in leaf burning. If the soil is too saline, this can also prove detrimental to the plants and result in them becoming stunted. If you elect to plant in this environment, The Plant Company recommends ensuring the soil is well prepared with organic matter such as compost and provide some shelter with regular watering during dry periods.
Absolutely and they look amazing when managed appropriately. Choose a pot that is no more than twice the size of what the Miniature Toetoe is currently growing in and that has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the bottom of the pot to about 1/3 of the way up with potting mix. Do not use soil or compost when growing plants in a container and do not add fertiliser. The Plant Company potting mix has all the nutrients required to sustain the plant for the next 12 months.
Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. Place the plant in the hole without removing any of the growing media or cutting the roots. You can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. If the roots have been circling the inside of the pot or they look totally root bound, you don’t need to cut them as this will set this plant back. Add more potting mix and firm this around the plant using gentle pressure, then water well. They should be watered twice a week during hot weather and weekly or fortnightly during cooler periods.
The key to having an amazing Miniature Toetoe in a pot is to both keep it fed correctly and avoid over-watering them.
The answer to this question depends on how much shade. In shaded conditions Miniature Toetoe tend to become “leggy” or “floppy” as the leaves extend to find light. In full sun they tend to be more compact and denser, with better colouring. So yes, they will grow in partial shaded conditions such as down the side of a house or under dappled light from a tree, but overall aesthetics are likely to be less than if they were growing in better light.
The short answer to this question is no. In such circumstances they will develop disease issues and fail to perform. Miniature Toetoe are regarded as being largely drought tolerant, so wet conditions are the worst thing for them. Better options for wet areas are Juncus or Apodasmia.
Miniature Toetoe look amazing when mass planted and are perfect for both banks and borders. The question about how far apart depends on whether the fully grown state is a “ball” shape or they are to merge into each other. If they are grown as distinct plants, they should be spaced at least 1 m apart. If they are to merge, a spacing of 70 cm is recommended.
Choose a full sun position with good drainage for your Miniature Toetoe. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread Native Plant Fertiliser on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.
Choose a full sun position with good drainage for your Miniature Toetoe plant. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A planting spade makes the hole digging a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.
Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. Place the plant in the hole without removing any of the growing media or cutting the roots. You can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. If the roots have been circling the inside of the pot or they look totally root bound, you don’t need to cut them as this will set this plant back.
Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure as you go. Scatter Native Plant Fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and the give the plant a good watering.
Only potting mix should be used when plants are grown in a container. Often people will try and cut corners and use soil or mixes that contain both soil and potting mix with poor results. The same applies to when plants are potted up with compost as it holds too much moisture. Soil also contains weeds and tends to become compacted in a container, hence why it is not used in this manner. The Plant Company has nursery grade potting media which is pre-loaded with the correct amounts of fertiliser and micro-nutrients to keep the plant sustained with nutrition and actively growing for the next 12-months. After 12-months, simply add a couple fertiliser tablets to keep the plant fed for the next 12-months.
Soils rich in fertility and organic matter that are well-drained will produce amazing plants. The soil should be well prepared with either compost or sheep pellets mixed in at planting or spread on the soil surface after planting. It is important that the soil being planted into won’t restrict root growth and for this reason, clay soils are generally not well suited to Miniature Toetoe. Clay soils also tend to be very wet which will negatively impact the performance of the plant. A little test that can be done is to dig the hole, fill it with water before the plant goes in, and leave it for 24-hours. If the water is still in the hole, you will need to address the drainage before planting.
Feeding your Miniature Toetoe plants in spring with Native Plant Fertiliser will replenish nutrients and keep them fed for 12 months. Liberal amounts of organic fertiliser can also be used. Do ensure that plants are watered regularly during dry periods to keep them flourishing.
Placing mulch around Miniature Toetoe helps keep the soil moist and significantly reduces weeds. The Plant Company recommends an organic mulch is used as this breaks down over time to provide nutrients and improves the soil. It is also better for the environment than the plastic-based alternatives. Whatever type of mulch is used, it needs to be free draining so the soil can “breathe” and allow water to penetrate quickly and easily. Heavy rates of lawn clippings are therefore not a good option as they hold too much moisture. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommends stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes.
Compost is not considered an effective mulch as weeds germinate easily and it is only short lasting. It is, however, a very good method of adding organic matter to the soil and should be applied before the mulch is put down.
Miniature Toetoe are best planted from mid-autumn until late spring. During this time, they can cope with the stresses associated with planting (root damage mainly) more easily than if they have to also cope with heat and moisture stress as well. They can be planted in summer provided they are well-watered and the roots have plenty of growing media attached when planted. If watering is a challenge, The Plant Company advises planting any time from late-autumn through until early-spring. Make sure you have a good planting spade to make this job a lot easier.
A full sun or partial shade position with good drainage is essential for getting the best results with Miniature Toetoe. On poorly drained sites or with over-watering they tend to become stunted and sickly looking. This can cause and result in root rot issues that may eventually kill the plant if drainage is very poor. If you think this might be a problem for you, please refer to the article, Dwarf Toe Toe Diseases.
In shaded conditions Miniature Toetoe tend to become “leggy” and somewhat “floppy” as the leaves extend to reach light. In full sun they tend to be more compact and denser, with better colouring. The planting position should also be moderately sheltered which will help both with establishment and to produce a better shaped plant overall. This is not essential as they can cope well with wind.
Decisions about when to trim a Miniature Toetoe, how to cut them back, and how hard, and even how to do this task can be daunting for the novice gardener. The Plant Company have produced this series of articles to provide advice for how to trim Miniature Toetoe so you can manicure your plants with confidence and success.
Miniature Toetoe will sprout new shoots when cut right back, even to clumps close to ground level. However, this relies on the plant having heathy shoots at the outset. This activity is best undertaken during spring or summer using secateurs. Please note: Miniature Toetoe plants grown in shade environments may struggle to re-establish when cut back severely. The Plant Company does not recommend cutting plants any lower than 10 cm above ground level to ensure a better chance of success with this procedure.
Miniature Toetoe are generally only trimmed to remove unsightly leaves or cut back more aggressively to rejuvenate or control a plant. This is best done during spring or summer when plants are moving to active growth. Aggressive trimming usually involves cutting plants back to 5-10 cm above the soil level. Miniature Toetoe are very forgiving plants and even if you get the trimming wrong, they will generally recover! Unfortunately, there is a risk of plants dying after such aggressive trimming. This will sometimes occur if the plants were diseased or suffering nutritional deficiencies ahead of trimming. In these cases, the plant just doesn’t have the energy to resume active growth.
Light trimming can involve cutting the brown tips off plants, cutting out yellow or sickly-looking leaves, or even thinning out the foliage. This can be done at any time.
Miniature Toetoe can be trimmed at any time of the year, though spring is the time recommended by The Plant Company for any aggressive cutting back. The plants sprout from the base and at this time of year they are ready to bounce into active growth with the warming weather. Light trimming to remove unsightly foliage can occur at any time of year.
Watering Miniature Toetoe correctly is an important part of growing amazing plants. Importantly, making sure they get enough without being over-watered is paramount. Our articles provide the know-how on this subject.
Miniature Toetoe are lush plants and the foliage requires good soil moisture during dry periods to stay fresh and keep growing actively. They are generally regarded as drought tolerant but will benefit from watering both during establishment and during extended dry periods. The Plant Company recommends a generous watering every third day during summer, or every fifth day if the soil is a bit heavier. If plants start to droop, you need to water immediately. The Plant Company advises watering in the morning or in the evening for water conservation purposes. Please be sure to read the article, Dwarf Toe Toe Diseases, as over-watering can have unintended consequences!
During extended dry periods, Miniature Toetoe Plants may stop growing to preserve themselves. This is clearly not desirable if you are still wanting them to grow. They will start growing again once rain or water is provided, and provided they have not been allowed to desiccate.
If the Miniature Toetoe is being grown in a pot, watering twice a week during summer and once a fortnight during winter is the general rule. This will depend on how hot the growing environment is and the size of the plant. Remember that over-watering is the general cause of most plant deaths!
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.
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