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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
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
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
How can I propagate wax myrtle by soft-wood or semi-hardwood cuttings?
February 24, 2009 - Mr. Smartypants,
I would like to propagate wax myrtle from mature plants I have growing in my yard here in Houston. I've read on the wildflower website to use "softwood" or "semi-hardwood" c...
view the full question and answer
Planting and growing bluebonnets
October 06, 2007 - I am looking for bluebonnet seed planting suggestions.
when? How? I found a source for seed. I want to plant about 2500 sq foot area.
view the full question and answer
Keeping a Texas Madrone alive from Belton TX
October 01, 2012 - I have found a supplier of a Texas Madrone and have been wanting to grow one ever since our family vacation to Big Bend NP. My question is how do you have success with this tree? Many people say it is...
view the full question and answer
Planting orange-flowered asclepias in Austin
March 15, 2011 - I have asclepias seeds of the orange flower variety and would like to plant them. What should I do for the best success, and how long does it take for them to come up?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |