Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Tuesday - April 22, 2008
From: Newman, CA
Region: California
Topic: Propagation
Title: Growing grapes from seed in California
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Can I grow grapes from seed? If so, what is procedure?ANSWER:
For openers, go to this University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre of Plant Research website on Propagation of grapes from seed. In particular, note this paragraph:
"Grape seeds are not (generally speaking) easy to germinate as they have a very high proportion of dormancy. The only usual reason for growing from seed is following intentional cross pollenation to develop a new variety. I don't have actual figures, but I would guess that over 99% of grape propagation is by clonal methods (cuttings, grafting, micropropagation)."
That makes propagation sound pretty complicated; so we found these two grapes native to California Vitis californica (California wild grape) and Vitis girdiana (desert wild grape). After all, the wild grapes have been growing without clonal methods for lots of years and sure enough, the propagation section in those two webpages make it sound a little easier. Probably the key is, are you just trying to grow grapes, or are you trying to grow a specific variety, a hybrid or cultivar, wines for a vineyard, etc.?
More Propagation Questions
Will my Lisianthus survive the winter in Minnesota for another growing season?
March 09, 2009 - Do you know if Lisianthus plants planted one year, will come back the next year? We bought 6 gorgeous healthy plants last summer from a MN grower. We enjoyed them all last Summer and are wondering if ...
view the full question and 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 the full question and answer
Crossbreedding of Lupinus polyphyllus and L. perennis
June 25, 2007 - Hello, can Lupinus polyphyllus and L. perennis crossbreed? I have both and want to keep perennis genetically pure, is the only way to do this is to get rid of the polyphyllus?
view the full question and answer
Should a bloom stalk be cut down in Yuma AZ?
May 07, 2010 - I have a plant in my front yard that looks like an aloe vera. It doesn't have any thorns or needles but does have a tall stalk like stem coming from the middle of it. The "stalk" is now approx. 5'...
view the full question and answer
Possibility of propagating buckeye from basal shoots
June 25, 2008 - I have a beautiful red buckeye tree that has small shoots coming up at the base. I would love to share these with my friends. How do I do this?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |