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 - June 25, 2010
From: San Diego, CA
Region: California
Topic: Cacti and Succulents
Title: Cutting bloom stalk of century plant in San Diego CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My 28 yr old century plant will bloom soon. I understand it will die. Will this 30 ft stalk then likely fall? Will I need to call someone to cut the dead stalk? The base is nearly 7 ft by 6ft - no way for us to reach it with an electric saw.ANSWER:
Yes, it is more likely that the bloom stalk will fall before the plant itself is dead. Let it bloom and set seed, it has worked all of its 28 years to do that. By then, it won't be too attractive and it could come down in wind and do damage to property or person. Someone who does tree trimming should have the kind of tool that has a long handle and a mechanism so the stalk can be cut from a distance. Knowing which way it is going to fall is going to be a problem, so we feel a professional landscaper or arborist would really be the best way to go.
From the Image Gallery
More Cacti and Succulents Questions
Survival of yucca plant mowed down in Oklahoma
April 15, 2009 - I have a yucca plant that came from a very old plant of my late father, and had transplanted it 6 years ago and it came back every year and bloomed. This morning I went outside and noticed my husband...
view the full question and answer
Agave americana/Century Plant care and life cycle.
June 10, 2009 - How often do century plants bloom? Do you have info on how to care for them?
view the full question and answer
Native plants for a New York, NY apartment?
August 14, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
What are some native Mid-Atlantic/New England plants that can be grown well indoors? I live in an apartment in New York City and have recently realised that the plants I'v...
view the full question and answer
Topmost leaves on yucca are brown
June 08, 2009 - I live in the Lansing, Michigan area, in the lower peninsula and have a couple yuccas whose topmost leaves are brown emerging from winter. Do I prune those, or has the plant died? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Monocarpic plants for Indiana
October 06, 2005 - We were in Hawaii this summer and became acquainted with the Silversword. This plant (according to what we were told) blooms only once in it's lifetime (of 50-70 years). Are you aware of any other pl...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |