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
Wednesday - July 29, 2015
From: Pleasanton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Butterfly Gardens, Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Shade Tolerant, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Growing Green milkweed vine from seed
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I was given some seed for the pearl milkweed vine which I intend to plant, but I can find no information on whether to stratify or scarify them or just plant them. I know some milkweeds require stratification and others scarification, but have been unable to find anything about these. Help!ANSWER:
I have found no special technique for germinating Matelea reticulata (Green milkweed vine) seed. It seems to be assumed that all our local native milkweed seed respond well to the same preplanting treatment. Here is a procedure recommended by Native American Seed. It involves washing out natural inhibitors and then stratification. Scarification doesn't seem necessary. Good luck in your efforts. This milkweed is a host plant for the endangered Monarch butterfly.
From the Image Gallery
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
How and when to harvest bluebonnets.
April 30, 2010 - A previous answer mentioned harvesting bluebonnet seeds by pulling up the whole plant when the seed pods turn brown. Two clarifications - when do the seed pods turn brown as these plants are hard to ...
view the full question and answer
Information about growing mountain laurels (Sophora secundiflora)
November 15, 2008 - I live just outside of Austin on 10 acres. I have several very large mountain laurels on my property that I planted from containers. Mine flower profusely every year. I feed them bi-weekly and wate...
view the full question and answer
Failure to come up of blackeyed susans in Lancaster PA
June 28, 2009 - My blackeyed susans have been blooming for ten years. All of a sudden this year they didn't come up at all..why?
view the full question and answer
Care for non-native Centipede grass
February 27, 2013 - My lawn is Centipede. I have created a new lawn area. Can and when should I seed/overseed my lawn? I have Rye in the new area.
view the full question and answer
Grow bluebonnets in Virginia
September 04, 2007 - I want to ATTEMPT to grow some Texas Bluebonnets in VA because I am homesick and both our kids are back in Austin. That said, the site says " it may be necessary to inoculate the soil with a rhizobiu...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |