Manfreda

ConroeJoe@aol.com ConroeJoe@aol.com
Fri, 14 Oct 2005 09:56:37 PDT
In a message dated 10/14/2005 11:02:40 AM Central Daylight Time, > "Ronald 
> Redding" <ron_redding@hotmail.com>
> 
> I have two fantastic forms of manfreda and would like to propagate them. One 
> 
> is already sending out pups does anyone know of a method that is more 
> efficient.
> 

Hi,

I have never heard of a faster way to vegetatively propagate Manfreda than 
via offsets.  I do know that when I have dug wild M. virginica clumps I could 
easily see that there were divisions that could be made (sort of like 
daylilies).  However, few divisions were indicated.  

In far South Texas, near Rio Grande City, I carefully explored some roots of 
M. variegata.  I finally figured out that they make huge storage roots that 
perhaps could be split (if dusted with fungicide, etc., and with each piece 
retaining an "eye").  However, this species also sends out runners that give rise 
to plants 2 or 3 feet away.   Perhaps the runners could be used for 
propagation.  In Central Texas I've seen M. maculosa growing in little clumps along the 
highways, sometimes surviving mowers.  I dug one up once and was able to pull 
it apart into 5 good plants for replanting.  

Many of the "fantastic" Manfreda that I've seen in cultivation are hybrids 
than don't send out runners and which reproduce slowly, not like some 
fast-growing iris.  

If you are interested in wild Manfreda, the best way to propagate them is 
through seed.  The seeds germinate easily, and the plants grow to flowering size 
in 2-3 years, especially if you protect them from temperatures below 25 F and 
give them a sunny position.  They are easy to grow and seem happy in a largish 
pot (3-gallon) with lots of humus but 50% coarse sand (like used in making 
concrete).  Stay away from fine sand.  In such a pot, with summer irrigation, 
they grow more quickly and produce more pups.  

The most reliable seed places that I have found (for Manfreda) are Mesa 
Garden and Reid Lewis--native Texas seeds.  I germinate them in the fall under 
lights, and they go outside in spring.  

Mesa Garden
http://www.mesagarden.com/ 

Reid Lewis--Native Texas Seeds
http://www.vvm.com/~reid/seeds.htm 



Cordially,

Conroe Joe
(cooler now, today might not reach much over 80 F).  


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