Q. I want to grow some desert flowering plants like
Desert Marigold in my landscape. In the past, when I attempted to transplant
them from seedlings, they did not make it. Is there a technique to
transplanting or am I better off planting the seeds directly into the soil?
Desert Marigold in my landscape. In the past, when I attempted to transplant
them from seedlings, they did not make it. Is there a technique to
transplanting or am I better off planting the seeds directly into the soil?
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| Opuntia (nopal) cactus flower |
A. Once established, desert plants are difficult to move.
If you sow seed into the landscape, get
them to grow and then try to move them to a new location, then that is probably
why the died. It’s hard to harvest enough roots when moving desert plants to a
new location.
If you sow seed into the landscape, get
them to grow and then try to move them to a new location, then that is probably
why the died. It’s hard to harvest enough roots when moving desert plants to a
new location.
Start Wildflowers from Seed in Containers
You are
better off starting plants from seed in containers and then moving them into
the landscape once they have solid growth. Kind of the same as starting tomato
or basil transplants from seed but without watering as often. If you do move
them to a new location, take lots of roots with the plant and cut the top back
to reduce its need for water!
better off starting plants from seed in containers and then moving them into
the landscape once they have solid growth. Kind of the same as starting tomato
or basil transplants from seed but without watering as often. If you do move
them to a new location, take lots of roots with the plant and cut the top back
to reduce its need for water!
Desert
marigold is native to the Mojave Desert and can be grown from seed easily
provided they are watered less often and the soil growing them doesn’t hold
water. Wet or damp conditions kill new plants or the germinating seed. Spread
twice as many seeds as you need on top of a well-draining, coarse gravelly or
sandy soil in the spring and cover the seed lightly with a thin sheet of sand.
Cactus soil works well.
marigold is native to the Mojave Desert and can be grown from seed easily
provided they are watered less often and the soil growing them doesn’t hold
water. Wet or damp conditions kill new plants or the germinating seed. Spread
twice as many seeds as you need on top of a well-draining, coarse gravelly or
sandy soil in the spring and cover the seed lightly with a thin sheet of sand.
Cactus soil works well.
Use
small plastic or peat containers to start them but 8-ounce paper cups work as
well provided you make sure they drain water easily. Don’t use rocks in the
bottom of the cup but make sure there are holes that allow water to easily drain.
small plastic or peat containers to start them but 8-ounce paper cups work as
well provided you make sure they drain water easily. Don’t use rocks in the
bottom of the cup but make sure there are holes that allow water to easily drain.
Starting Wildflowers Seed in the Landscape
In the landscape,
rake the seed lightly into the soil with a garden rake. Lightly apply a sand
layer. After you’re done, water with a spray nozzle so the seed gets wet and
the sandy sheet tucks them in. Then fight the urge to sprinkle them daily, or
even every other day, until you see growth appear.
rake the seed lightly into the soil with a garden rake. Lightly apply a sand
layer. After you’re done, water with a spray nozzle so the seed gets wet and
the sandy sheet tucks them in. Then fight the urge to sprinkle them daily, or
even every other day, until you see growth appear.
Warning about Collecting Seed
Remember,
don’t collect seed or plants from public lands. Secondly, get permission from landowners
in writing when collecting seed or plants from privately owned land.
don’t collect seed or plants from public lands. Secondly, get permission from landowners
in writing when collecting seed or plants from privately owned land.
Mother nature took over when I scattered seed collected about a half mile away years ago. A delightful plant whose seeds I save each year.
I'll try your method using cups and pass it on to a couple of flower lovers in my "neighborhood".
Thanks for the info, Roger Smith