Growing Native Plants from Seed Kits

I have successfully grown four native Chihuahuan Desert plant species from my own seed kits.

These species are:

• Mexican Yellow Bird of Paradise; Caesalpinia gilliesii
• Red Yucca; Hesperaloe parviflora
• Goldenball Leadtree; Leucaena retusa
• Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis

Through experimentation, I developed my proprietary soil blend to start and grow the seedlings. The seeds can be started at any time, but early Spring is best so that the plants are of sufficient size to plant outside when the danger of frost has passed. I use mason jars for the starter kits. The process varies somewhat by species but generally follows these steps:

 I moisten the soil, insert the seeds, and cover the container loosely with plastic. This creates a micro greenhouse environment.  I place the seed kit jars in a sunny window but not too close to the glass. Depending on the species, the seeds typically germinate in 2 to 4 weeks. Red Yucca are the slowest to germinate. When the seedlings achieve about 2 inches in height and have their second set of leaves, I puncture the plastic cover to allow the container environment to slowly equalize with the room environment which can take a few days. After this happens the plastic can be removed.  

When the seedlings reach about 6 inches in height, they can be planted outdoors. Mature plants are frost and drought tolerant, but not young seedlings.