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
Tuesday - July 21, 2015
From: Round rock , TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Drought Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Propagation of Blackfoot daisy seed
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I have a three yr old Blackfoot daisy. How do you root Blackfoot daisy seeds? When is the best month to grow these seeds?ANSWER:
Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy) is so heat- and drought-tolerant that is can thrive where most other plants die. However, starting the seeds growing is another matter, since at this stage moisture is needed and scarification helps. I am going to refer you to a recent Smarty Plants answer to the same question.
"Our usual sources to answer this question failed us, so we wandered around on the Internet and picked up these pieces of information propagating Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy).
"Seeds germinate better if acid scarified. When the soil is warm, sow the seed. Cuttings from semi-soft stems root well and should be approaching woodiness."
"Collect seeds from base of outer ray flowers in the Fall."
Here is an article from Dave's Garden that is probably the most informative."
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Interested in a mini food forest
February 04, 2013 - I am interested in starting a mini "food forest" in a twelve foot by twelve foot patch of earth next to my house. I'd like to put a focus on making sure that the bulk of the plants I introduce are ...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen native plants for slope in South Carolina
July 14, 2008 - We would like to plant an evergreen garden in our backyard, which is on a slope. It receives the sun from approx 9-4. We have an above ground pool, and patio area. Would also like a recommendation of ...
view the full question and answer
Non-native lambs ears wilting in heat from Fredericksburg TX
October 19, 2011 - 3 days ago I had professional landscaping done in an area with plants that tolerate heat & sun well. We planted 7 healthy, large lambs ear & mulched. Everything planted is doing well except the lambs ...
view the full question and answer
Shade ground cover under honeysuckle from Wichita KS
February 21, 2012 - Hi! I know this is a bit odd, but I am trying to find a nontoxic, good ground covering plant that can live in the shade while competing with the roots of a whole bunch of honeysuckle. I have a few ide...
view the full question and answer
Plants to grow between concrete pavers on the patio in Rock Hill, SC..
December 31, 2014 - I have a patio of concrete pavers, about 2 feet by 2 feet each. It gets very little sun. No morning sun at all. The zoysia grass we have between the pavers now does not grow well at all. Do you ha...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |