Poaceae (Dichanthelium)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Dichanthelium (acuminatum)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Poaceae

Family Common Name:
Grass

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Dichanthelium

Species:
acuminatum

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
(Sw.) Gould & C. A. Clark

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

John Vandevender

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
tapered rosette grass

Species Code:
DIAC2

Ecotype:
Stones River

General Distribution:

Known Invasiveness:
none

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
1+0 container plug

Grow Time:
6 Months

Target Specifications:
A well developed plant suitable for mechanical transplanting that has at least 6 inches of top growth and a dense, fibrous root system.

Propagation Collection:
Seed of Stones River source tapered rosette grass was hand harvested from the primary (spring) flowering heads from existing populations within the confines of Stones River National Battlefield.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Conditioned seed is planted into round cell greenhouse flat liners with 38 cells per flat that have been filled with coarse processed bark and composted pine bark growing medium. Seed is surface sown at a rate of 3-5 seeds per cell and lightly covered with starter sized, 1/16" - 1/8" diameter, granite poultry grit to combat damping off diseases. Prepared flats are lightly hand watered to slightly moisten the growing medium.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Stratified seed is placed in a greenhouse maintained under natural lighting and at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil moisture is maintained during germination by an automatic overhead watering system set to cycle for 20 seconds every thirty minutes during daylight hours.

Establishment Phase:
Germination typically occurs 7 - 10 days after placement in the greenhouse.

Length of Establishment Phase:
7-10 days

Active Growth Phase:
After germination, seedlings are maintained in a greenhouse environment 2-4 months to promote development of a plug with at least 6 inches of top growth and a dense, fibrous root system suitable for mechanical transplanting.Watering is reduced to overhead hand watering once daily. seedlings receive a water soluble complete fertilizer bi-weekly until hardening.

Length of Active Growth Phase:
2-4 months

Hardening Phase:
Acclimation is typically accomplished through placement of seedlings outdoors in a protected location for a 1-2 week period prior to transplanting.

Length of Hardening Phase:
1-2 weeks

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
Dicnantheliums are characterized by two distinct blooming periods. The conspicuous primary flowering heads are terminal to the culms and are produced in late spring and early summer. Secondary flowering heads are are produced from the leaf axils begininning in mid-summer and continuing into early autumn. The primary flowering heads usually have a lower seedsset than the secondary ones, which have flowers that remain closed and are self pollinated. However, seed produced by the primary flowers appears to germinate more readily than seed from the secondary flowers.

References:
USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Citation:
Vandevender, John. 2010. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Dichanthelium acuminatum (Sw.) Gould & C. A. Clark plants 1+0 container plug; USDA NRCS - Appalachian Plant Materials Center Alderson, West Virginia. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/04/26). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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