Erigeron (pumilus)
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Ann DeBolt Botanist Idaho Botanical Garden 2355 Old Penitentiary Road Boise, Idaho 83712 2085778137 ann@idahobotanicalgarden.org www.idahobotanicalgarden.org |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Asteraceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Sunflower Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Erigeron pumilus Nutt. | ||
| Common Name: | Shaggy Fleabane | ||
| Species Code: | ERPU2 | ||
| General Distribution: | Erigeron pumilus grows on well-drained soils at middle to lower elevations (up to about 2,300 m), from the Great Plains west through the Rocky Mountains to the east side of the Cascade Mountains, and south to northern New Mexico and northern Arizona and the mountains of southern California. | ||
| Known Invasiveness: | None. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | Plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 2.75" x 5.5" plant band containers | ||
| Time To Grow: | 7 months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Healthy root development filling the container. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Seed was hand collected from 750 plants on May 31, 2012. Mature seed (a small light colored achene) was easily removed from seed heads and placed directly into large paper bags. A small piece (about 1” x 1”) of No-Pest Strip was placed in each bag for 3 days to reduce insect predation. Seed was air dried in paper bags at room temperature prior to sending to the Bend Seed Extractory for cleaning. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | According to Nita Rauch, former Bend Seed Extractory Manager (now retired): The seed lot was processed using a small brush machine (mantle #32, speed 1, medium bristle brushes), then hand sieved using a #40 USGS screen, and finally the Office Clipper (screen size and air flow level unknown). Different cleaning equipment would have been used if the seed lot had been larger (ie. small or large brush machine or Missoula dewinger). Seed fill was 99% (determined by X-ray), with 97% purity and 4,725,000 seeds/lb. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Seed was stored in a cool, dry, and dark location prior to sowing. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
We were unable to find literature for this species’ germination requirements, so several treatments were tried. For all treatments, soil was a 2:1:5 mix of lava fines, perlite, and Sunshine Mix #4. On February 14, 2013, we sowed dry seed directly into flats and placed them on bottom heat in the greenhouse. Within 8 days we observed the first seedling, and by 2 weeks, there were dozens. Seedlings were large enough to transplant to containers within one month. On March 13, we direct sowed 3-10 seeds per container into several hundred containers. Seed was pressed lightly into the soil from 1/8”-1/4” deep and covered with a thin layer of chicken grit. Containers were watered thoroughly by hand and placed outside on racks. On April 24, we direct sowed 150+ additional containers. At least for this seed lot (from the previous season), seed grew whether it received a brief cold stratification treatment or not. Sowing in both mid-March and late April worked equally well with this seed lot. | ||
| Establishment Phase: | Germination rate was very good, perhaps 90%. By early July, 2013 we had 550 filled containers. | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 4 weeks | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Containers were allowed to dry slightly between hand waterings. A weak fish emulsion fertilizer was applied twice a month from April through June. Plants were placed in an outdoor shadehouse for the months of July and August until outplanting in early October, 2013. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 6-7 months | ||
| Outplanting performance on typical sites: | Seedlings were hand planted on rangeland sites and watered at least once. Protection from herbivory greatly enhanced their survival. | ||
| Other Comments: | Plants were not permitted to flower while in the nursery. Flower stalks were removed as soon as they were observed. | ||
| References: | Intermountain Flora. Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 5. Asterales. Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal , P.K. Holmgren. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY. 1994. | ||
Citation:
DeBolt., Ann . 2016. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Erigeron pumilus Nutt. Plants 2.75" x 5.5" plant band containers; Idaho Botanical Garden Boise, Idaho. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/23). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
