Symphoricarpos (oreophilus)

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:	Caprifoliaceae
Family Common Name:	Honeysuckle Family
Scientific Name:	Symphoricarpos oreophilus Gray
Common Name:	mountain snowberry
Species Code:	SYOR
General Distribution:	Mountain Snowberry occurs throughout montane regions of western North America from BritishColumbia to Montana, south to California, New Mexico, and northern Mexico at elevations of 1200 to 3200 meters (McMurray 1986).
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	vegetative
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Stock Type:	Copperblock 77/170 (Beaver Plastics Ltd.) cell volume: 170 mL
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Height: 15 to 20 cm Caliper:2 to 3 mm Root System: Firm root plug
Propagule Collection:	Stem cuttings are taken from dormant plants in March (or anytime January to April) from the previous season's growth. Cuttings are at least 18 cm in length. Cuttings are sealed in polybags to prevent dessication, and brought to the nursery on ice in coolers. Cuttings are then placed in a walk-in cooler and stuck as soon as possible-within 48 hours.
Propagule Processing:	Cuttings are trimmed to 15cm in length with a diagonal cut at the basal end and terminal buds are removed just prior to sticking.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Cuttings are given a 5-second quick dip in a 500 parts per million (ppm)IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid)/NAA (napthaleneacetic acid) solution consisting of equal parts IBA and NAA dissolved in 50% isopropyl alcohol. Rosner et al. (2000) found that 250 ppm, 500 ppm and 1000 ppm solutions were equally effective. Cuttings are dipped to a depth of 2 centimeters, allowed to air dry, and stuck to a depth of 10 cm. Cuttings are watered in and kept moist throughout the rooting period. Cuttings are rooted on greenhouse benches providing intermittent mist and bottom heat set at 20C.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Propagation occurs in a greenhouse and outdoor nursery (shadehouse) facility. During rooting and the initial portion of the active growth period plants are kept in the greenhouse. During the later portion of the active growth period through the storage period plants are kept in the shadehouse. Rooted cuttings are moved into the shadehouse in June when plants 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. Plants are fertilized using a fertigation system, which utilizes the irrigation system.
Establishment Phase:	Intermittent mist and bottom heat are maintained until vigorous growth is apparent. Containers are irrigated periodically to keep the media evenly moist. Greenhouse night and day temperatures typically range from 18 to 26 C and no supplemental light is provided.
Length of Establishment Phase:	7 to 8 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	The first portion (7 to 8 weeks) of the active growth phase is performed in the greenhouse. The remaining 12 to 14 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 after rooting is complete, then once 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, plants 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.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	15 to 18 weeks
Hardening Phase:	This phase begins in late summer to early fall as soon as plants 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 plants becoming acclimated to water deficits and the gradual cooling associated with the onset of fall. Plants 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:	Plants are overwintered in the shadehouse 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:	[ITIS] Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 2001. (On-line database). http://www.itis.usda.gov. Accessed 11 November 2002. McMurray, N.E. 1986. Symphoricarpos oreophilus. In: Fischer WC, compiler. The Fire Effects Information System (Online Data base). Missoula (MT): USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Intermountain Fire Science Laboratory. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis.html. Accessed 15 July 2001. Rosner, L.S,, Harrington, J.T. and D.R. Dreesen. 2000. Preliminary evaluation on adventitious rooting hardwood stem cuttings of Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Ribes cereum, and Cercocarpus montanus from throughout New Mexico. In: Proceedings Plains and Prairie Forestry Meeting. August 7-10, 2000, Las Vegas, NM; Section 5; 24-42.

Citation:

Rosner, Lee S.; Harrington, John T. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Symphoricarpos oreophilus Gray plants Copperblock 77/170 (Beaver Plastics Ltd.) cell volume: 170 mL; New Mexico State University-Mora Research Center Mora, New Mexico. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/11/25). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.