Fallugia (paradoxa)

John T. Harrington Professor New Mexico State University-Mora Research Center P. O. Box 359 Mora, New Mexico 87732-0359 575-387-2319 575-387-9012 (fax) joharrin@nmsu.edu www.arborday.org

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Family Scientific Name:	Rosaceae
Family Common Name:	Rose Family
Scientific Name:	Fallugia paradoxa (D. Don) Endl. Ex Torr.
Common Name:	Apache plume
Species Code:	FAPA
General Distribution:	Apache plume is found along dry arroyos, rocky slopes, hills, and canyons from Colorado south to northern Mexico and from southern California east to western Texas at elevations from 3000 ft to over 8000 ft (McWilliams, J. 2000, Vines 1960)
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Stock Type:	164 ml conetainer
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Height:15 to 20 cm Caliper:2 to 3 mm Root System: Firm root plug.
Propagule Collection:	Seeds are stripped from branches by hand in May or June when the first flush of fruits ripen. Apache plume produces five-petaled white flowers from April to October or first frost followed by fruits that are achenes with styles borne in fluffy reddish clusters (Blauer et al. 1975). Achenes turn white and fall freely when ripe, usually one to two months after flowering (Deitschman et Al. 1974). A heavy flush of flowering usually occurs in spring, with flower production later in the season depending on moisture conditions.
Propagule Processing:	None.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	None.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Propagation occurs in a greenhouse and outdoor nursery (shadehouse) facility. During establishment and initial portion of the active growth period seedlings are kept in the greenhouse. During the later portion of the active growth period through the storage period seedlings are kept in the shadehouse. Seed is sown in early May and seedlings are moved into the shadehouse in late June when seedlings are between 7 and 10 cm tall. Growing media is a 2:1:1 (v:v:v) peat:perlite:vermiculite mixture. Controlled release fertilizer 14-14-14 (N-P-K) 3 -4 month is incorporated into the media at the rate of 4 kg/m3. Greenhouse and shadehouse irrigation is provided via computer controlled irrigation system utilizing RainBird plastic MPR nozzles. Irrigation heads are spaced to provide head to head coverage. Seedlings are fertilized using a fertigation system, which utilizes the irrigation system.
Establishment Phase:	The top of the media is dibbled between 2 and 4 mm and seed, along with attached styles, is placed in the dibble hole. A 2 to 5 mm layer of fine chicken grit is placed on the top of the media/seed to serve as a gravel mulch. It is important to completely bury seeds (but not too deeply), because with increased light intensity and decreasing burial depth, a decrease in germination has been observed (Veit and Van Auken 1993). To control the number of seeds sown per cell, and limit under- and over-sowing, the quantity of material sown is predetermined by a trial run 2 to 3 weeks before actual sowing. The goal is to have every cell filled, with the fewest number of extra germinants per cell. The containers are irrigated 4 to 8 times daily to keep the surface of the media moist. Greenhouse night and day temperatures range from 18 to 26 C and no supplemental light is provided. Thinning of germinants to one seedling per cell begins after 14 days. The container system allows for the consolidation of germinants to separate containers, which are removed from daily misting. Consolidation begins after 14 days.
Length of Establishment Phase:	28 days
Active Growth Phase:	The first portion (through week 4 to 5) of the active growth phase is performed in the greenhouse. The remaining 8 to 10 weeks is performed in the shade house. Containers are irrigated as needed, which usually involves irrigation once every 4 to 5 days for the first several weeks then one every 2 to 3 days through the remainder of the active growth period. Containers are allowed to dry down to a moderate state between irrigations. This irrigation regime is used to help minimize root disease problems. All irrigations are done early in the morning, which allows foliage to sufficiently dry before nightfall, minimizing foliar disease problems. During the active growth phase, seedlings are fertigated every other irrigation with a liquid based fertilizer (20-10-10; N-P-K) at a rate of 50 ppm N until they attain the target shoot height (15 to 18 cm). During the greenhouse portion of the active growth period greenhouse temperatures during the day are 21 to 26 C and during the night 18 to 22 C. Ambient photoperiod is supplemented with 5 min light interruptions every 2 hours throughout the night from 75 watt incandescent lights suspended 2 meters above greenhouse benches. Once transferred outside, ambient temperature and light regimes are utilized. If space is available, containers are spaced to every other slot in racks when seedlings are transferred to the shadehouse to improve air flow and reduce the likelihood of foliar disease problems. Growing tips are pinched back at this time to promote branching and prevent leggy growth.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	12 to 15 weeks
Hardening Phase:	This phase begins in late summer to early fall as soon as seedlings attain their target shoot height. Containers are leached with a heavy irrigation and a series of incrementally increasing water stresses is applied to restrict any further height growth. In Las Cruces, ambient day temperatures are still quite warm, but the interval between irrigations becomes progressively longer due to seedlings becoming acclimated to water deficits and the gradual cooling associated with the onset of fall. Seedlings are fertilized every third irrigation (fertigated) with a liquid based fertilizer (10-30-20; N-P-K) at a rate of 25 ppm N.
Length of Hardening Phase:	4 to 6 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Seedlings are kept in the shadehouse through the winter and are usually shipped in late February to early March. Irrigation intervals are extended during this period and fertilizer is provided every fourth irrigation as described above.
Length of Storage:	5 months
References:	Blauer, A.C., Plummer, A.P., McArthur, E.D., Stevens, R., Giunta, B.C. 1975. Characteristics and Hybridization of Important Intermountain Shrubs. 1.Rose Family. USDA Forest Service Research Paper INT-169. 36p. Deitschman, G.H., Jorgenson, K.R. and A.P. Plummer. 1974. Fallugia paradoxa (Don) Endl. In: Schopmeyer, C.S., tech. coord. Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States. Agriculture Handbook No. 450. Washington DC: USDA Forest Service: 406-408. [IT IS] Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 2001. (On-line database). http://www.itis.usda.gov. Accessed 11 Nov 2002. McWilliams, J. 2000. Fallugia paradoxa. In: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (2002, September). Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [14 November 2002]. Vines, R.A. 1960. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of the Southwest. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX. 1104 pp. Veit, V., Van Auken, O.W. 1993. Factors influencing the germination of seeds of Fallugia paradoxa (Rosaceae). Texas Journal of Science 45(4):325-333.

Citation:

Rosner, Lee S.; Harrington, John T. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Fallugia paradoxa (D. Don) Endl. Ex Torr. plants 164 ml conetainer; New Mexico State University-Mora Research Center Mora, New Mexico. 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.