Have Texas Mountain Laurel seeds - Mezcalbean

[janidob]

The tree is beautiful but it takes 3 years of growth to bloom.

Check out this link! http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/Di...ee.aspx?tid=94

I have seeds, which i planted some in June and the seedlings are 4-6 inches tall.



Thanks,

Jani
San Marcos, TX

[joclyn]

absolutely gorgeous!!! would that be hardy in zone 6b? if it's not, would it do well inside as a container plant?

[cheezyrat]

What a beautiful tree. It would be perfect for my area. Would you send seeds for trade or postage?

[txbeyer]

Hate to put a damper on these trade requests, but the TX Mountain Laurel (Saphora secundiflora) needs very well drained alkaline soils to grow in and is only hardy thru Zone 8. The seeds are toxic. More about it at this site.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/e...0/h1mar00.html

[cheezyrat]

The area I live in is technically in zone 7b, however, in the 32 years I have been here I don't ever recall the temp getting below the low teens and that is rare. I have never seen single digits here, ever. The area that I was thinking of planting is on a well drianed slope that stays very dry. The trees that do best there now are cedars and hollys. What do you think the odds are of this tree surviving here based on those conditions? I hate to put a bunch of time and effort into something that will just die. Can it be overwintered in an outdoor greenhouse in a large pot if I were to keep it as a patio plant?

[txbeyer]

Hey, if the seeds are a free in a trade exchange, why not try it? I would not plant it outdoors where you live but the other thing against trying to grow this plant ourside it's normal range and adaptable environment is that it needs to grow to substantial size before blooming (4 ft or more). The soil must not be acidic and very well drained (sand composition helps). Full sun is essential so it is not adaptable to indoor growing in winter unless you have a greenhouse. I would love to be able to grow plants I remember from living in Zone 7 (Chattanooga) and northern VA, but 'sigh' just need to let them go and enjoy seeing them when visiting rather than trying to grow a plant not well adaptive to where I live.

[mullju]

I know they grow well in the DFW area in Texs because they are planted in front of The On The Border restaurant and they are beautiful!

[marasri]

They grow wild on my land, and They smell so unbeleivable when they are blooming. Some people don't like the smell because they are SICK and have a busted neuron in their nose that just beeps when strong smells are around. It is almost tropical in its strength.

[marasri]

If one is out collecting them, the trick is to pick them at the end of the summer. Take the pod and soak them till the husk softens and then the seed comes out easily. One then can abrade the surface of the seed and plant them in the spring. They will store for 10 years if stored in a cool place. They do have a rough time with rot while germinating. So a bit of fungicide is advised if you find you are having a problem.

[Debi Conrad]

I know your thread was posted ages ago. However, I know that plants continue to grow and spread and maybe you still have some??? I have some cool stuff to trade...some from Texas and some from everywhere. One of my sweetest deals is a rust-red iris as well as spider lilies, black stem elephant ear (running plant - not bulb), other 'regular' elephant ear bulbs. Let's "talk!"

[marasri]

Debi, I sent you a PM,... I do recommend "how To Grow Native Plant Of Texas and the Southwest" by Jill Nokeas. It is a classic and good fodder for those of us interested in seed collecting and growing what we collect.

[mickeys_rose]

Hello Debi welcome to Plant Swap I am also in Texas!