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 - January 20, 2006
From: Edmonton, AB
Region: Canada
Topic: Propagation
Title: Information on propagating alder (Alnus crispa) from seed or cuttings in Alberta, Canada
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What do you know about propagating alder (Alnus crispa) from seed or cuttings? I'm involved in a small stream side revegetation project in central Alberta, Canada.ANSWER:
The current accepted name for green alder, Alnus crispa, is Alnus viridis ssp. crispa. You can read more about it in the Native Plants Database.Since we are not in the native range of Alnus viridis here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, we don't have hands-on experience propagating it. We can, however, refer you to some good resources. There is an excellent description of the of propagation of green alder from seed on the SaskPower Shand Greenhouse web page. Also, Dr. Michael Dirr, in his book "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagaion and Uses" (1998, Ball Publishing) calls for 90 days cold stratification for Alnus crispa seeds. To accomplish this you can put the seeds into a plastic bag with vermiculite or sand that is slightly moistened and store in the refrigerator.
An article from the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Extension Service,"Propagating Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs, Trees, and Vines with Stem Cuttings", shows step-by-step instructions for propagating from stem cuttings and lists the alders, Genus Alnus, as a candidate for the procedure. However, an article from AllRefer.com says Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata stem cuttings seldom, if ever, produce roots.
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 to plant a gooseberry bush
November 22, 2008 - Please, if somebody can help, I need to know how to plant the gooseberry bush.
Thanks,
view the full question and answer
How does Graptopetalum filiferum produce seeds?
June 22, 2009 - Hi
I have a Graptopetalum filiferum. I found a seed on top of one of the plants and it resembles something like a cantelope melon seed-about 1/3" long, orange. Do these succulents produce seeds i...
view the full question and answer
Will sprouts under pecan trees become producing trees in Jefferson Co., AL?
May 30, 2009 - Do pecan trees that sprout up underneath existing pecans trees ever amount to anything such as producing and bearing pecans?
view the full question and answer
Propagation of yellow columbine
November 03, 2004 - I purchased a yellow columbine, Aquilegia chrysantha and your website says it grows in moist upland soils, and yet it shows their habitat as Utah, Arizona, NM, and sw Texas. Tell me how it can...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |