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).