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
Monday - November 22, 2010
From: Gilbert, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source for Anacacho Orchid Seeds
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Is there any place in TX that I can ask to send me Anacacho Orchid seeds that I can germinate?ANSWER:
I see your question! - The Bauhinia lunarioides (Anacacho orchid tree) is a lovely tree that is often found in Arizona and can be grown quite successfully. Looking through the list of Native plant suppliers in Texas and in Arizona - I found three that offered the Anacacho Orchid - Arid Solutions in Phoenix, Natives of Texas in Kerrville TX and Madrone Nursery in San Marcos, TX. However, all of these appear to offer plants in pots rather than seeds.
Sweet Briar Nursery & Gardens in Belton TX showed up when I looked specifically for seeds, and lots of web postings from enthusiasts in Native Plant groups. Have you considered approaching your local native plant society groups? I know the folks around here will be pleased as punch to offer seeds to a new person coming to their meetings!
The Arizona Native Plant Society seems to have an active website and the Desert-tropicals website mentions a Society local to Gilbert. You might want to contact them.
The Wildflower center's nursery manager [AKA "Nursery Overlord"], Sean Watson recommends that if you obtain the seeds and want to start them, that they be nicked or scarified with a metal file until the endosperm [the white part] is exposed. Be careful not to go any deeper or you will damage the seed. This is to encourage relatively prompt germination, otherwise the seeds can take considerable time [like years] to start.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Source for sensitive briar in Austin
October 06, 2009 - My husband, young son and I are beginning a landscaping project at my son's school where they have a colorwheel garden. Our section is the green section. There are already some plants in the plot and...
view the full question and answer
Source for Lenophyllum texanum (coastal stonecrop)
September 29, 2008 - Hi,
Where can you purchase native coastal stonecrop or texas sedum; preferably out in East Texas? Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Sources for native plants wholesale in Boston, MA
October 31, 2003 - My professor and I are looking for a list of native plant wholesale nurseries in the Boston, MA region.
view the full question and answer
Plants for a new duck pond that are duck proof
January 28, 2009 - Sir. I live in Charleston SC. I dug a pond for ducks in my backyard. I want to plant grass and anything else that will grow around the pond that the ducks won't want to eat up. What should I buy to p...
view the full question and answer
Sources for native plants in Wimberly, TX
March 10, 2008 - Where can I go to find a good selection of Central Texas Native plants. I live in Wimberley and I want to fill my garden and land with native plants, shrubs and trees. I cannot find a place to purcha...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |