Carex (feta)
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Derek Tilley PMC Manager USDA NRCS - Aberdeen Plant Materials Center PO Box 296 Aberdeen, Idaho 83210 208-397-4133 x 104 derek.tilley@id.usda.gov http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/idpmc |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Cyperaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Sedge family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Carex feta L.H. Bailey | ||
| Common Name: | Greensheath sedge | ||
| Species Code: | CAFE4 | ||
| Ecotype: | Yosemite National Park | ||
| General Distribution: | Western North America; British Columbia, WA, OR and CA. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | Plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 10 cubic inch conetainer | ||
| Time To Grow: | 5 months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Healthy root development filling the 10 ci conetainer. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | Seed can be separated from plant material by hand or using a hammermill or brush machine. The perigynium can be removed if desired with vigorous rubbing. Seed with the perigynium removed can be cleaned using an air-screen cleaner with 1.55 mm top screen and 1.15 mm bottom screen and light air. If the perigynium is not removed, the top screen should be approximately 2.1 mm. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: |
Seed is stored in cool-dry conditions with temperatures of approximately 10° C (50° F) and relative humidity of 20 to 30%. We compared germination of seed with the perigynium removed versus seed with the perigynium intact. We also compared germination in standard petri dishes with germination paper versus seed placed in an aerated bath. Aerated seed both with and without the perigynium achieved over 80% germination within 7 days. Seed on germination paper with the perigynium intact had 21% germination after 7 days, while seed on germination paper with the perigynium removed had 46% germination. |
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| Establishment Phase: | We used Sunshine Mix #4. No fertilizer is added to the soil mix. Two to five seeds are placed on the soil surface and pressed for good seed-to-soil contact. Seed is lightly covered with pea gravel, but not so much that it significantly restricts light reaching the seed. The soil surface is kept moist with 20 minutes of daily irrigation from overhead sprinklers for the first 30 days. Day time greenhouse temperatures range from 24 to 29° C (75 t 85° F). Night time temperatures average around 21° C (70° F). | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 8 weeks | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Our seed lot had very high viability and most cones had multiple plants in them that required thinning. After full establishment, plants are fertilized once per week with Miracle Grow All Purpose Plant Food (15-30-15). After 30 days the irrigation schedule is changed to 40 to 60 minutes every other day to encourage root growth. We had to trim our plants with an electric hedge trimmer periodically as they grew and began to affect the sprinkler distribution. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 4 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | We backed off the water to 60 minutes every 4 or 5 days. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 1 week | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | Plants were deeply watered just prior to shipping. Plants were shipped in a 10° C (50° F) refrigerated truck for 2 days. | ||
Citation:
Tilley, Derek. 2016. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Carex feta L.H. Bailey Plants 10 cubic inch conetainer; USDA NRCS - Aberdeen Plant Materials Center Aberdeen, Idaho. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/04/19). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
