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

Saturday - November 14, 2009
From: Seguin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Few seeds from turkscap in Seguin, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have several Turk's cap plants but most do not produce seed. Any ideas? They have been in place 5 plus years.ANSWER:
From our Native Plant Database page on Malvaviscus arboreus (wax mallow):
"Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Grows readily from seed, but they are hard to gather because they fall and get eaten so quickly. Also look under established plants in spring for seedlings to dig up."
Possibly the birds and squirrels are just quicker than you are, and are harvesting the seeds before you find them. From personal experience, we always found cutting the plants back in late Fall, and then selecting from new plants that came up in the Spring for transplanting easier than trying to find the seed and grow in greenhouse conditions over the Winter.
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Propagation Questions
Can two species of Muhlenbergia be cross-pollinated from Portal AZ
July 17, 2012 - Will Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Big Muhly) cross-pollinate with Muhlenbergia porteri (Bush Muhly)? I am attempting to restore the grasslands on my private property to a pre-1900 state. Bush Muhly was a...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Blackfoot daisy seed
July 21, 2015 - I have a three yr old Blackfoot daisy. How do you root Blackfoot daisy seeds? When is the best month to grow these seeds?
view the full question and answer
Planting pecan trees in Austin
October 23, 2008 - What's the protocol for planting pecan trees in the Austin area? What do you have to do to get them to grow and how long does it take? Can you plant just one?
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
Are there production timing guides for native plant production?
October 27, 2009 - We need growers timetable guide for native plants from seed to salable size. Any already published guides out there?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |