On Jan 28, 11:21 am, FragileWarrior
wrote:
Okay, after I grow some flax, I'd like to try papyrus. I guess I can't
grow it as a perennial in Zone 7 but can it be grown as an annual? Will it
grow fast and reach its full potential in my zone or will it not grow
properly at all?

FW
True 'paper' Papyrus is Cyperus papyrus, and it is quite tender, zone
10 probably.
Yes it can be grown as an annual and does quite well. I would say the
hotter your
summer, the better. It has done well here in zone 9.

There is another plant, Cyperus alternifolius, Umbrella plant, that
is taller and not
so delicate looking as papyrus. The books say 40 degrees is its
hardiness, but it
does fine here into the low 20s. The tops will freeze to the ground at
that temp.
but it will survive. However I doubt even it would survive zone 7,
unless you move
it inside. Since both plants grow in soil or water, you could keep it
in a container
of water and move it inside.

As far as using it to make paper, well , I don't know?? maybe a note
card's worth....
(When I was in 5th grade, in SoCal, we made paper from papyrus)
Are you going to make linen from the flax?
Emilie
NorCal