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 - June 03, 2013
From: Lubbock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Wildflowers
Title: Germinating Penstemon tenuis, Monarda citriodora and Machaeranthera tanacetifolia Seed
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I am a graduate student at Texas Tech (UT Austin alumni), studying horticulture. I will be researching several wildflowers found in west Texas including Penstemon tenuis, Monarda citriodora, and Machaeranthera tanacetifolia. I am having trouble locating information on how to germinate the seeds and was wondering if you had any advice on how to scarify and stratify them. Also, would you know about using bleach or a warm water soak on these types of seeds? Any germination advice would be most helpful!ANSWER:
Penstemon tenuis (Brazos penstemon)
Mr. Smarty Plants answered a previous question about germinating Penstemon tenuis and had the following advice…
You should be able to get good results with your efforts to germinate Penstemon tenuis (Brazos penstemon), commonly known as Gulf Coast Penstemon. This penstemon is known to reseed freely. However, like most penstemon species, it benefits from a cold treatment.(Sow under thin cover 3 wks @ 40ºF (4ºC)) is the recommendation of an authoritative web site by Jim Swayne. I suggest that you wait until the seed pods dry and just begin to open (it shouldn't take long), then stratify if you hope to get germination the same season. No light is required.
Monarda citriodora (lemon beebalm)
From the seedaholic.com website
Sowing: Sow in Late winter to late spring. Monarda is easily grown from seed. They can be started early in pots or sown directly where they are to flower once all danger of frost is passed.
Sowing Indoors:
Surface sow at 1.5mm (1/16in) deep in pots or trays containing good seed compost. “Just cover” the seed. Make sure the compost is kept moist but not wet and seal inside a polythene bag until germination which usually takes 10 to 24 days at around 20°C (68°F). Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to 7cm (3in) pots. Harden off before planting into their final positions in early summer. Space 30cm (12in).
Sowing Direct:
Plant 1/8in deep in good quality compost. Germination takes 10 to 30 days. Thin out when large enough to handle, so that they are finally 30cm (12in) apart. Provide additional water if necessary until the plants reach 30cm (10in).
From the klasociety.org website:
Sow at 20ºC (68ºF), if no germination in 3‐4 wks, move to ‐4 to +4ºC (24‐39ºF) for 2‐4 wks.
From the Plants for our future website:
Seed - sow mid to late spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 10 - 40 days at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late summer in areas where the winters are not too severe and will produce larger plants. Cuttings of soft basal shoots in spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn.
From our website about Monarda citriodora
Description: Easily grown from seed. Spread the seed evenly and rake into loose topsoil in fall or early spring. Supplemental watering is suggested if spring rains are poor. Provide additional water in May if necessary until the plants reach 10 – 12 inches tall. Once established, should reseed itself. Seeding rate is 3 pounds/acre. There are approximately 819,000 seeds/pound.
Maintenance: Allow seeds to mature completely (spherical heads become dry and brown) before mowing or cutting down. Since an annual, it is essential this species is allowed to reseed itself for the following year.
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia (tansyleaf tansyaster)
From Seed Germination Theory and Practice (2nd edition) by Norman C. Deno
Machaeranthera (Asteraceae). M. tanacetifolia germ. 70 F (20-30% in 3-10 days) with either fresh seed or seed dry stored 6 months at 70 or 40 F. Seed sown at 40 F gave lower germination.
Regarding your question about using bleach to enhance seed germination, take a look at Nursery Manual for Native Plants by Tara Luna, Kim M.Wilkinson, and R. Kasten Dumroese. There is some very good information about overcoming seed dormancy using water, bleach, stratification and scarification treatments in the Seed Germination and Sowing Options in chapter 8.
Best wishes with your research on these native plants.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Wildflowers for Daleville AL
September 08, 2011 - What wildflowers will grow in Daleville AL, in almost all day sun ?
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Date for visitor from England to see bluebonnets
February 04, 2010 - Hi there
I live in England, and I'm planning a trip to Texas to photograph the wildflowers around Austin and the hill country. I especially want to photograph bluebonnets. I can be in Texas either...
view the full question and answer
Native flowers for color year round
May 02, 2007 - I have the opportunity to recommend plants for a religious organization. They want YEAR ROUND color in some areas, much like how commercial sites use annual color. I would like to suggest native/ada...
view the full question and answer
Identity of maroon flower taking over bluebonnets
April 14, 2008 - there is a maroon colored flowering weed at my ranch in Oakwood Texas. It is taking over the bluebonnets and indian paint brushes. Can you tell me what it is and how to get rid of it.
view the full question and answer
Getting milkweed seeds into seed mixes from Milwaukee WI
February 07, 2014 - My husband and I are concerned about the Monarch butterfly migration and have started an effort to get milkweed planted along some bike trails here in Wisconsin. This made me think of Ladybird Johnso...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |