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
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - July 13, 2006

From: Vienna, Austria, Other
Region: Other
Topic: Propagation
Title: Propagating Carya illinoinensis in Vienna, Austria
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I'm interested in growing and propagating the pecan, Carya illinoiensis for my area (Austria). Northern pecans are the better choice. Are trees grown from seed (no northern pecan origin) also as hardy as northern pecans? (zone 5?) Are northern pecans just ripening earlier? I would grow the seedlings as rootstocks for grafting northern pecans onto, so the hardiness is more important for my intended use. Are there better choices than C. illinoiensis rootstocks for northern pecans (where enough hardiness is required)? Maybe the shagbark hickory, Carya ovata?

ANSWER:

One of the important factors in grafted trees is compatibility of the scion with the rootstock. Problems associated with scion/rootstock compatibility often manifest themselves years after grafting. In general, it is a good idea to match rootstocks and scions as closely as possible. This means that interspecific grafting of a Carya illinoinensis scion onto a C. ovata rootstock might be technically possible, but is probably inadvisable.

Similarly, matching a northern-origin scion to a northern-origin rootstock is more likely to yield success than mixing the origins of scion and rootstock. Further, it is quite possible that southern-origin rootstocks might suffer in your climate.

With those principles in mind, growing conditions might be an important factor though. Pecan trees naturally grow in bottomlands which receive frequent moisture. If you wish to grow your trees on higher ground, then you might consider attempting grafts on Carya ovata rootstock, which requires less moisture.

Since your plan is probably trailblazing in your area, you might consider discussing it with your tree crop experts your country.

 

More Propagation Questions

Blossoms but no fruit for gooseberries in Enoch UT
January 16, 2010 - My gooseberries always get loads of blossoms, but I never get fruit. I think they need more sun, and thus, want to transplant them to a sunnier location. What (and when) is the best way to do this?
view the full question and answer

Propagation of yucca by seed
August 03, 2007 - I'm just wondering, the yuccas in town are starting to drop their seed pods. How easy is it to start from their little black seeds?
view the full question and answer

Sagebrush for Westminster CO
August 06, 2010 - On a recent visit to Taos, NM we fell in love with the local sagebrush. We would like to plant this sagebrush in our yard. We are located near Denver Colorado. Would this plant survive and how do we g...
view the full question and answer

Dividing Agapanthus
October 03, 2015 - When and how do I separate Agapanthus? Should I do it?
view the full question and answer

Survival possibility of transplant of sucker from oak tree
May 15, 2006 - My neighbor has a young oak tree in his front yard. It has small leaves and round acorns and once a year sprouts shoot up at its base. The neighbor was kind enough to let me dig some up to try to tr...
view the full question and answer

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