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Symphyotrichum laeve (laeve)

Mark E. Majerus
USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center
99 South River Road, Rte. 2, Box 1189
Bridger, Montana 59014-9718
(406) 662-3579
(406) 662-3428 (fax)
mmajerus@mt.nrcs.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mtpmc
Family Scientific Name: Asteraceae
Family Common Name: Sunflower Family
Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum laeve laeve (L.) A.& D. L”ve laeve
Common Synonym: Aster laevis L.
Common Name: Smooth aster
Species Code: SYMLAE
Ecotype: Glacier National Park seed source from Avalanche area.
Propagation Goal: seeds
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Stock Type: Seeds
Time To Grow: 1 Years
Propagule Collection: Mature seeds can be collected in several fashions. Ripening is very indeterminate, so collection is either at intervals over the growing season or at one time when the greatest amount of seed appears ripe. Thelatter seems to be the most efficient method if the cost of multiple collections is compared to the additional amount of seed obtained. Depending on the amount of seed, harvesting may be accomplished by vacuuming, hand clipping of seed heads, or mechanical harvesting with a swather. Clipped seed heads are spread on a tarp to ripen and even marginally ripe seed will mature in a warm, dry place.
Propagule Processing: Flail ripe seed heads against the inside of a barrel and discard the stems. Process the seed in a hammermill 2 to 3 times using a #5 (0.08 in diameter holes). Clean the processed material over a fanning mill using a fairly high amount of wind to remove the chaff.
Pre-Planting Treatments: No pretreatment of fresh seed was required to break dormancy.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Rototill the planting site prior to container planting. Several methods can be used to plant the seedlings including digging a shallow trench, digging individual holes, or drilling individual holes. Space the rows 3-feet apart and plant the seedlings 1-foot apart within the row. Irrigate the planting thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.
Establishment Phase: Germination and growth is rapid, and plants will require additional growing room and/or larger container sizes in about 8 weeks. In lieu of transplanting to larger pots, prune the plants periodically until they can be safely lined out in the field.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Approximately 600 container plants lined out in the field have produced 0.551 kg (first year), 0.428 kg (second year), and 0.545 kg (third year) of clean seed.
Other Comments: Direct seeding trials are needed to determine the ideal planting technique for seed production. Other members of Aster lend themselves well to direct seeding with a drill or belt seeder and this species should not prove an exception.

Citation:

Scianna, Joe. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Symphyotrichum laeve laeve (L.) A.& D. L”ve seeds Seeds; USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.