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Friday - March 25, 2011

From: Gonzales, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Propagation of Blackfoot Daisy from Gonzales TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

How do I propagate Melampodium leucanthum, blackfoot daisy?

ANSWER:

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:


Melampodium leucanthum


Melampodium leucanthum


Melampodium leucanthum

 

 

 

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