Panicum (virgatum)
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David J. Horvath Nursery Manager Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Mason State Nursery 17855 N. CR 2400E Topeka, Illinois 61567 309-535-2185 309-535-3286 (fax) dhorvath@dnrmail.state.il.us gillyflowernursery.com |
| Family Scientific Name: | Poaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Grass family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Panicum virgatum L. | ||
| Common Name: | Switch Grass | ||
| Species Code: | PANVIR | ||
| Ecotype: | Central Illinois, 650 feet msl elevation | ||
| General Distribution: | P. virgatum is found in moist areas in all the Great Plains states east to Nova scotia and Ontario south to Florida and west to the Dakotas and Arizona; also in Mexico and Central America. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 1+0 container plugs | ||
| Time To Grow: | 11 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height: n/a, herbaceous perennial.<br> Caliper: n/a, herbaceous perennial.<br> Root System: firm root plug. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Seed is harvested by combine about Sept. 18. It is ready when it no longer has a soft, creamy center. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | Seed sizes change from year to year, so it is important to experiment with screens and techniques. First, run the seed through the Debearder with the middle screen size and the brushes set out 1/4 inch. Run it through the Crippen with a top screen of 15, middle screen of 10, and bottom screen solid. Next, run the good seed back through the Debearder, then through the Crippen again with a top screen of 12, middle screen of 10, and bottom screen of 1/25. Finally, try running the good seed over the Forsberg gravity table. Seed purity varies from year to year and should be sent out for testing. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | 8 ounces of seed is saved to sow one bench in either 64 flats of the Multipot #6, or 24 flats of the Multipot #3 or #4. Seed is damp stratified by mixing it with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampening in a plastic bag or container. Store this seed for 3-4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Propagation Environment: Fully controlled greenhouse. Container Type and Volume: Multipot #3, #4, or #6 are used. Cell volumes are 6, 9, and 6 cubic inches, respectively. Growing Media: Sterile, Pro-Mix PGX. Add vermiculite and perlite at a 10:1 ratio. Do not add slow release fertilizer to the grasses, as it tends to burn the young, tender roots. Ensure flats are tapped down to prevent settling. Total Time to Harvest: 7-11 months, depending on weather and plant/root development. Sowing Date: Three crops are started in the greenhouse with the first in late December and the last no later than the end of March. Sowing/Planting Technique: Sow the seeds by hand by broadcasting. Try to sprinkle 3-5 seeds per cell. Seed purity rates vary from year to year. Cover the seeds to one times their depth with the same growing media. Use a dibble board or roller to gently press seed and cover soil in the cell. |
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| Establishment Phase: |
Set the greenhouse temperatures to be 70-80 degrees during the day, and 65-75 degrees at night. 75% germination is reached in about one week. Plants must be watered by hand during germination. Set the hose on gentle shower to prevent the seeds from splashing out. |
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| Active Growth Phase: | Once germination is successful, the greenhouse temperature may be turned down gradually depending on outside temperatures. Plants are irrigated in the morning by soaking for 20 to 30 minutes. This allows the foliage to dry out during the day. Once true leaves appear, not cotyledons, the plants may be fertilized. Start with 50 ppm of Rapid Grow or Peter's Liquid Fertilizer once a week. This rate is increased to 200 ppm gradually, and, again, decreased to 50 ppm before moving the plants outside to the shadehouse. It is important to rinse fertilizer residue off the foliage by running the irrigation for 30 seconds. Grasses are not thinned. When foliage reaches 8 to 10 inches, the plants need to be pruned back to 3 or 4 inches. This is accomplished by turning the flats on their sides and cutting with scissors or sheers. Make sure the clippings are all removed from the flats to prevent disease spread. | ||
| Hardening Phase: | The first greenhouse crop will be moved to a hoop house in late January to February. To acclimate the plants, the irrigation rate is reduced to 50 ppm before moving and greenhouse temperatures are decreased to 55-60 degrees day. The second and third crops are moved directly to the shadehouse in April and May. Again, greenhouse controls and fertilization rates are adjusted in preparation for the move. Plants that reach 8-10 inches in the shadehouse will require pruning also. | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: |
Harvest Date: Flats may be unplugged in October or November as long as most of the tops have died down. Storage Conditions: Plugs that are not shipped during this fall's planting season may be stored for spring planting in cold rooms above freezing, preferably 40-50 degrees. Try to remove most of the dead foliage as you can before bagging the root plugs for storage. Store them on plastic bags to ensure the roots do not dry out. Storage Duration: Approximately 4 to 6 months. Plugs may be shipped at any time as long as the receiver has cold storage. |
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| Length of Storage: | 4 to 6 months | ||
Citation:
Blessman, Gary; Flood, Roberta Mountz; Horvath, David J.. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Panicum virgatum L. plants 1+0 container plugs; Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Mason State Nursery Topeka, Illinois. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/11/23). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
