Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
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Friday - September 07, 2007
From: Madera, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Removal and disposal of very invasive non-native water hyacinth
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I was given some Eichhornia crassipes, don't know how to care for them. Do you put them in some potting soil then put the pot in water? When do they bloom? Can they stay in the water during winter in western California? What kind of plant food do they take? Hope you can help me.ANSWER:
At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, one of the reasons we are focused on use of native plants only is to prevent the use and spread of non-native invasives. Eichhornia crassipes, water hyacinth, is one of the worst of the non-native invasives, and has even been referred to as the "one of the worst weeds in the world". Please read the information at the University of Florida link above to get more information about this native of the Amazon Basin of South America. We urge you not only to not plant this species, but to discard it in a way that will ensure its not entering any body of water. You surely don't want to be the bearer of trouble for more waterways in California, where floating mats of this invasive are already a matter of concern.More Non-Natives Questions
Non-native Merremia tuberosa
August 07, 2006 - Respected Sir,
I have been trying to find the scientific name and a sapling of a plant which had "flowers that look like rose flowers but are brown in color and have a paper like...
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Mites in soil of house plants
June 25, 2008 - Hi there! I recently noticed tiny silver mites in the soil of my plants that I only notice after watering. These plants are indoors in on a window ledge (a dwarf palm, aloe plant and Hawaiian Scheffle...
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Distressed non-native weeping willows in Washington State
June 26, 2008 - What could be causing my weeping willows to be distressed year after year?
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Donation of seeds of Silphium Terebinthinaceum to India
October 03, 2009 - Hi,
I am located in India. I am planning to plant Silphium Terebinthinaceum in my garden in India. Please let me know who can donate me seeds to India. I need 20-30 seeds.
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Problems with azaleas
April 22, 2008 - Last summer I planted 10 evergreen Azaleas "Hino Crimson" I sprinkled a little rhody fertilizer in their holes before planting and gave them plenty of water all summer. They are all doing fine excep...
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