Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Tuesday - June 01, 2010

From: Macon, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Propagation
Title: Are the seeds of my Graptopetalum paraguayense in Macon, GA fertile?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I have a Graptopetalum paraguayense that has finished blooming. I put several of the dead flowers into a Ziploc bag and shook them around, and a few hundred seeds came out. They are oblong and very small -- about half the size of a period. Are they fertile? And if so, how do I plant them?

ANSWER:

Graptopetalum paraguayense, although native to northern Mexico, is considered a non-native in the US. This article gives an interesting description of the plant and an explanation of its name. The article describes the seeds as being cylindrical and very small; 0.7 x 0.2 mm.

Are your seeds viable? The only way to tell is to see if they will germinate. This article from Arizona Cooperative Extension gives general procedures for germinating seeds from cactus and succulent plants.

The most common means of propagation is from cuttings.

 

 

More Propagation Questions

Transplanting native yaupon into yard in Lowake TX
June 08, 2010 - I have lots of wild yaupon in my pasture,can I transplant it to the yard?
view the full question and answer

Bermuda, not the only option in Memphis
November 04, 2014 - I'm building an energy efficient home in Memphis and want to extend that strategy to the landscaping. I'd like to plant native grasses, but this lot is surrounded by lots sodded with Bermuda grass....
view the full question and answer

Baby mountain laurels are ready to move, in Lockhart Texas
October 19, 2011 - I want to harvest the baby mountain laurel plants which are growing under a large bush. What height would be best for the young plants survival? Please recommend a soil mixture for the pots.
view the full question and answer

Student project on Hudson Valley, NY native plants and ecology
January 16, 2009 - Mr. Smarty, Hi I am starting a project with a school group 4th-6th grade, that has a greenhouse. The goal is to teach children about native plants & ecology of the Hudson valley region in NY. We will ...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of Century Plant in St. Petersburg FL
August 09, 2009 - CENTURY PLANT PROPAGATION
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.