Category: Gardens

I have been attempting to grow Tragopogon porrifolius in my gardens for a couple of years. Last year I snagged seeds from every plant that I saw in a vacant lot. Tossed the seed all over my courtyard garden. Not a single sprout.

Last week we noticed five Tragopogon porrifolius plants in bloom behind our neighbor’s house. We asked if he would like us to remove them. He said sure. We transplanted all of the plants into our courtyard garden.

I love all visible parts of the plant. The height of the plant is approximately 3 ½ feet.

Plan to collect seed and pop them in several locations in my gardens. Also will be planting some in pots for backup.

One of the common names for Tragopogon porrifolius is oyster plant. Why? Apparently the taproot can be eaten and its flavor is similar to oysters.

The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley

University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources, Statewide Integrates Pest Management Program

Decided to clean out my box of seed collected from a variety of sources. Found an envelope labeled succulent seed, grass-like, with a harvested date in 2016.

Half filled one inch paper pots with cactus mix. Planted 5 seed in each pot–one each corner and one in the center (March 21, 2018).

April 23, 2018 I found sprouts emerging from what appears to be small bulbs. The seedlings are so small and fine, I missed the transformation from seed to seedling.

Pretty sure the seeds were harvested from this plant.

Recently the plant had numerous small white flowers, followed by seed pods. I had been tossing the seed into a cactus mix filled terra cotta pot.

Yesterday (April 27, 2018) I placed five succulent seed on a dampened bamboo towel.

Then placed the lot inside a plastic bag.

The plan is to keep the bamboo towel slightly damp and to wait (hope) for the transformation.

Did not find Dietes and Calochortus sprouts, found this–

One section is heavy and resting on the ground. Have taken starts of the new growth and placed them in other areas of the garden.

Plan to build a small trellis to support the cactus to keep it a bit more upright.