Native Plants
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.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Mistake in propagation of Mustang grapes from Victoria TX July 27, 2013 I didn't read first! I planted dried mustang grape seeds in good potting soil, watered and put on tall clear plastic bags to retain moisture, will they ever come up? Should I get the seed out and r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Weak flowering on rosa minutifolia from San Diego CA July 27, 2013 Hi, I have a Rosa minutifolia and has been doing great, but when it gives flowers the petals fall too fast, only last a day or two and also the fruit never forms completely and finishes drying so I ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Controlling agave pups from Galveston, TX July 26, 2013 I live in Galveston, Tx.I have several large 5ft tall century plants in my yard and the pups are coming up everywhere..how do I control these??? HELP!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Revegetation with Rosa Woodsii in Heber UT July 26, 2013 I am using Woods Roses for a revegetation project (to stop trail short cutting) in a public picnic area. Growing them from seed was too slow so I am experimenting with transplanting and it is working ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagating Silky Sophora by seed from Elmendorf TX July 24, 2013 I have some seed for the Sophora nutalliana. What is the best way to germinate this seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting Candelilla from Austin July 12, 2013 Good Morning and thank you for answering my question!! I am interested in planting a Candelilla plant (it looks like small bamboo plants growing only a 2-3 feet tall. I heard it is supposed to be ver... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Grafting Pecan Trees July 05, 2013 I have planted two pecan nuts and now they are about 4 feet tall trees, they have not been grafted but can I graft one of the trees to the other and vice versa and expect pecans from then, they are he... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing non-native Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Central Texas July 01, 2013 Hi. I recently moved into a remodeled home in Taylor, TX, and have experimented with Cabernet Savignon vines before. I have a 1/2 acre and a chain-link fence I want to put vines on. (I have a book o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Illinois native grasses for shade June 27, 2013 Hello, my grass has died in a very shady area (standard buffalo grass), and I took this as an opportunity to plant some native grass varieties. I originally thought of buffalo grass, but learned that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Standing Cypress Plants in San Antonio, TX June 26, 2013 I purchased seeds for standing cypress 2 years ago and this spring they look beautiful. What is the best way to harvest the seeds? Also, will the current plants come back next spring or will I have to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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