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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - June 10, 2010
From: Beaverton , MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Propagation, Transplants
Title: Transplanting a Dutchman's pipe in Beaverton MI
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
When can I transplant a full grown dutchmans pipe plant? It is growing along side of the house and it needs a bigger place to grow. This is June and the plant is in full bloom full of pipes, but needs to be moved. Thank youANSWER:
There are 8 members of the genus Aristolochia, pipevine, native to North America. Two, Aristolochia macrophylla (pipevine) and Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot) are native to Michigan. The Virginia snakeroot seems to be the one you most likely have; the others in the genus in our Native Plant Database all are based farther south, in California and the southeast.
We found a Michigan State University Extension website on Aristolochia serpentaria, which gave us a lot of information about the culture and locations of this plant, but neither this site nor any other we looked at on all the pipevines told us anything about transplanting it. We did find some generic instructions on transplanting vines, which we will pass on to you:
Transplant the vines in early spring before much growth occurs. First, to make transplanting more manageable, cut the vines back so only several feet of topgrowth remain. It can usually be cut back to the ground, but we suggest leaving some of the vine in place so you can see which shoots have survived. Dig the roots out carefully. Try to dig a ball large enough to hold together so you maintain soil contact with the roots. Take great care not to break the woody stem where it joins the roots. Sometimes the vine will still come up from the roots, but you have a better chance of success if you don't break the shoot. Cut out any dead material after the vines have resumed growth. Although the plants may look fine, take special care of them throughout the growing season. The plant is trying to reestablish the balance of roots to shoots and needs regular water.
You said this plant needs to be moved. As in, NOW? In that case, pretend this is early Spring, which it isn't, even in Michigan, and follow the instructions. You will probably lose the blossoms and the seeds for this year, but hopefully not the roots.
Pictures of Aristolochia macrophylla from Google
Pictures of Aristolochia serpentaria from Google
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Propagation Questions
Propagating Texas Mountain Laurel by seed from Tucson AZ
May 20, 2010 - Propagation of Texas Mountain Laurel from seed
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Kalmia latifolia
November 19, 2007 - How easy is it to propagate Kalmia latifolia from seed?
view the full question and answer
Propagation of American Bittersweet
December 29, 2004 - Will American Bittersweet grow in Central Texas?
view the full question and answer
Need native grasses to re-introduce on land in Live Oak County, Texas.
July 21, 2009 - How do I find out what type of grass is native and how to reintroduce it (once we get some rain)? The area is southern Live Oak County approx 10 miles north of Orange Grove TX, about 2 miles from Lak...
view the full question and answer
Harvest dates-eastern Oregon
September 07, 2007 - I am looking for a source to provide me with harvest dates for seed of shrubs, grasses and wild flowers native to eastern Oregon.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |