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How do you collect bluebonnet seeds?
Hang Plants, Collect Seed After pulling up the bluebonnet plants, hang them, with the seed pods facing downward, to dry in a well-ventilated room. Spread newspaper below the plants to collect the seeds, or better yet, place an open cardboard box under the plants.
Do bluebonnets reseed themselves?
It may take several years to establish a good stand of bluebonnets and they do require some particular conditions to thrive. But once they are going, your bluebonnets should reseed and reappear each spring.
What does the bluebonnet need to produce seeds?
Bluebonnets grow best in soils that are alkaline, moderate in fertility, and most important of all, well drained. Full sun is also required for best growth. Seed may be planted September 1 through December 15; however, for best results, plant seeds no later than mid-November.
What do bluebonnet seeds look like on the plant?
The pod of the bluebonnet seed should begin to look dry and lose most of its green color, turning first yellow and then brown. Somewhere between the yellow and brown color the seeds will be mature and ready to collect. If the seeds are hard and dark when you examine them in the pod, they are mature.
How long do bluebonnet seeds last?
Once you’ve harvested the bluebonnet seeds and they are dry, you can store them in glass jars with tight-fitting lids. Keep the seeds in a cool, dry place away from light, and they will be viable for two to three years.
Are bluebonnet seeds poisonous?
Believe it or not, the bluebonnet is actually toxic if ingested. Leaves and seeds from the entire Lupinus plant family are poisonous, although actual toxicity is determined by a number of different biological and environmental factors (see ‘Benefit’). Even animals steer clear of bluebonnets when they get the munchies.
Do bluebonnet seeds expire?
ANSWER: Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) seed are viable for several years if kept in a dry place at room temperature or, better, in the refrigerator. Before planting the seed they should be treated to allow water to enter through the hard outer coat. Soaking seeds overnight is also effective.
Are bluebonnets poisonous to humans?
Bluebonnets are toxic to humans and animals. Leave the flowers as you found them. Take advantage of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s bluebonnet areas.
Do bluebonnets attract rattlesnakes?
So, even though the Bluebonnet fields are a prime picture taking location this time of year, it’s also a prime place for creatures like rattlesnakes to hide in and get out of the sun.
When to sow bluebonnet seeds?
Toward the end of the beloved “wildflower season,” the bluebonnets form a seedpod that eventually pops open to release seeds. You can plant your seeds between September and mid-December, but for the best results, make sure to get them in the ground by mid-November.
What states do bluebonnets grow?
The state flower of Texas, bluebonnets also go by the names of buffalo clover, wolf flower and Texas lupine. Fields of the beautiful flowers attract crowds of people in the spring. Bluebonnets also grow in Colorado, California, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Bluebonnets appealed to people long before Texas became a state.
Can bluebonnets grow anywhere?
Bluebonnets are Texas natives, but grow well anywhere the fall and winter are mild and wet. Plant the large, thick-skinned seed of the bluebonnet in the fall to give it time to germinate and put down roots so it’s ready for its spring show.
Will bluebonnets grow in Florida?
Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) is endemic to Texas, but some are grown through cultivation in Florida, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. They thrive on our alkaline soils, low moisture, lots of sun and sometimes very thin soil coating over limestone.