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.
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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.
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Wednesday - November 28, 2012
From: Sarasota, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Transplants, Trees
Title: Replanting of non-native Christmas Palm from Sarasota FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Do you know of a proven technique to plant a Christmas Palm in a built-in concrete pool deck planter box - using gravel around the soil root ball to delay the root bound condition we just ripped out?ANSWER:
We know of no way, proven or not, to do anything with Adonidia merrillii, Veitchia or Christmas Palm, which grows natively only in the Phillipines. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown.
From Learn2Grow, here is an article on Care of Adonidia merrillii. It does not sound like this plant is appropriate to grow in the confined space you are considering. Here is another article from the University of Florida Okeechobee County Extension Service on the Christmas Palm. Both articles have transplant information and pictures.
More Non-Natives Questions
Failure to bloom of non-native crepe myrtle
March 26, 2009 - I have a white crepe myrtle that never bloomed last year..my pink ones were beautiful. What can I fertilize with to promote blooming for the white one? And, yes, it is in the sun!
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Indoor pot plants
November 20, 2007 - I just moved into a studio apt. where a lot of heat is provided. Do you have a listing of house plants suitable for warm apartments? I have four windows, all with indirect sunlight.
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Request for seeds or cuttings for Malvaceae from French Botanical Garden
September 03, 2011 - hello
We create a botanical garden devoted to the Malvaceae, can you help us by sending us seeds or cuttings?
friendly
the director
jean-marie Jolicard
botanical garden
beaulieu
23170 Lépaud
F...
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Non-native Coconut palms and Christmas palms in Merritt Island, FL
August 10, 2010 - Last winter the coconut and Christmas Palms all suffered. I have coconuts to plant, but can't get them to put forth a sprout, and eventually grow into a tree. I have put some in the ground half-way....
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Looking for an apple tree to plant in Austin, TX.
December 08, 2010 - I want to plant an apple tree in my yard that bears fruit and will provide habitat and shade. Are any varieties that will do well in the South Austin area? And do I have to plant two trees to get fru...
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