Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Wednesday - May 06, 2009
From: austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Need a source of sulfuric acid for scarifying bluebonnet seeds in Austin, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I see that you recommend soaking blue bonnet seeds in concentrated h2so4 to facilitate germination. Where do you suggest I buy the sulfuric acid? I live here in Austin. Thank you,ANSWER:
FIrst as a reminder, I'm including the warning from our "How to Grow Bluebonnets" article.
(Caution: sulfuric acid requires special handling procedures and should not be attempted without proper equipment such as gloves, masks and a ventilation hood.)
If you have not handled sulfuric acid before, it is nasty stuff, and personally I would try some of the other techniques for scarification. The cost/benefit analysis leans away from sulfuric acid.
The Capitol Scientific Company here in Austin is one source of sulfuric acid, and Sciencelab.com is a website that where it can be purchased.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Where to buy native grass seeds for Blanco County Texas
April 07, 2010 - Can you recommend what kind and where to buy native grass seeds to sow on land in Blanco County which has just been cleared of cedar and burned?
view the full question and answer
Will Copper Canyon Daisy be at the Plant Sale from Georgetown TX
March 21, 2011 - Can you find out if Copper Canyon Daisy will be sold at the plant sale? I'm having trouble finding it in any of your databases. The scientific name is Asteraceae Tagetes lemmonii. It's a shrubby ...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for Italianate garden
April 29, 2007 - Hi, I am looking at buying a house in Abilene, Texas that has an established burnt grass yard. The house is Italianate and requires bold plantings. Is there a way to establish a relatively Italinate...
view the full question and answer
Sources for Bouteloua dactyloides in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area
April 06, 2007 - We live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Over the last few years our lawn has withered and now we are almost grassless. After researching we are considering planting Buffalo grass. However, after spend...
view the full question and answer
Native alternatives for non-natives
December 07, 2007 - Is there a way to search this website using an invasive plant species to get a list of native plant alternatives? ie. search Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silvergrass) and get the native alternative Sa...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
