Manfreda
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

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).