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

rate this answer

Friday - March 11, 2016
From: Phoenix , AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Removing Center Stem From Desert Spoon (Sotol) in Phoenix
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
I have a desert spoon. I hate the center stem. Can I remove the center stem without hurting the rest of the plant? And what is the best way to remove it? I looked for this answer in your questions but didn't find it.ANSWER:
The center stem you refer to is the flower of Dasylirion wheeleri (Common sotol) and is one of the plant's most distinctive features. This flower attracts bees, hummingbirds and can even be baked and the juice distilled to make an alcoholic drink called sotol. Are you sure you want to get rid of that?
If you are bound and determined, then how to remove it? The same way porcupines mate - veeeery carefully. Those leaves will slice you up if they get hold of you. Wear protective clothing (including eyeware) and reach in with long handled loppers if it is small or a pole saw if it is big.
Again, are you really sure you want to do that?
From the Image Gallery
More Pruning Questions
Care of poppy plants
July 10, 2013 - I bought a tiny poppy grow kit at Target for 99 cents. Amazingly, they have grown into numerous large and very healthy plants, though they don't all appear to be the same species. Some have grown to ...
view the full question and answer
Pruning technique for Anacacho Orchid from Austin
May 18, 2011 - I have an Anacacho Orchid tree that is about 8 ft tall and still young. It is doing quite well. I have never pruned it, but lately I have been considering it as some of the top branches are starting t...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID and pruning in Portage IN
April 09, 2009 - I'm looking for information on trimming a bush about 6 feet in diameter with orange horns in bloom and its name.
view the full question and answer
Eradication of mahonia repens
July 27, 2008 - What is the best way to kill and/or remove mahonia repens?
view the full question and answer
Removing Old Poison Ivy Vines from Pecan Trees
July 07, 2016 - I am in the process of cleaning up a creek bank that has very old pecan trees on it. The pecan trees have large poison ivy vines growing up the trunks. We cut one vine and when it died and fell from ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |