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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Sunday - July 22, 2012

From: Edinburg, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Need tips for planting wildflower seeds in pots in Edinburg, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

Can you give me some tips for starting wildflower seeds in pots or trays, rather than outdoors? Is this even possible? Most instructions I have found are for seeding large areas. I want to get some plants started before I put them into my garden, but I am confused about the best time of year and "stratification" procedures.

ANSWER:

Of course its possible. Have you ever wondered where all of those potted plants that you see at the nurseries come from?

I have three sources of information that should help you get started.

  "Propagating Plants from Seed" from  Washington State University
 
  the answer from a previous question about moist stratification

  "Plant Propagation from Seed" from Virginia Cooperative Extension

 

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