Sophora (chrysophylla)
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Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Fabaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Legume | ||
| Scientific Name: | Sophora chrysophylla (Salisb.) Seem. | ||
| Common Name: | mamane, mamani | ||
| Ecotype: | dry shrubland and forest and dry to moist forest | ||
| General Distribution: | Endemic to all main Hawaiian Islands (except Ni'ihau and Kaho'olawe) | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 0 | ||
| Target Specifications: | 15 cm height, 6 mm stem diameter | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Mature seed pods are found on trees nearly year-round. Mature pods are brown and dry. The Hawaiian Islands have many varied climates and local populations are considered best adapted to the local conditions. For this reason, it is best to collect from trees closest to where the offspring will be planted. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | The winged pod is somewhat fibrous. The yellow/orange to brown or grayish black seeds can be carefully removed using hand pruners to cut through and tear the pod. There are approximately 20,000 seeds per kilogram. Seeds store very well in standard storage conditions. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Mamane seeds have a hard seed coat that is impenetrable to water--most will not take on water and begin germinating until they are scarified. Scarification by slightly nicking the seed coat is recommended. Hand methods include using a fingernail clippers or a small file. Be sure to nick the seed on an edge away from the germ, and to avoid nicking into the inner seed (endosperm). Hot water is an alternate method that may be used for larger seedlots. Pour 5 parts near-boiling water over 1 part seeds, and let stand for 1 - 3 minutes. Then pour in ample cool water to reduce the temperature, and let soak for 24 - 48 hours. Seeds that have swelled were successfully scarified. Seeds that have not swelled may be scarified again. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Seedlings are grown in light shade or full sun in an uncovered growing area. If available, some cover (greenhouse or temporary cover) is ideal during germination to protect sprouts from hard rains. Containers used are SC-10 Super Cell or the Economy Super Cell (both available from Stuewe & Sons), 21 cm (8.25 in) long and 3.8 cm (1.5 in) diameter at the top. Andersen Band Pots 2 3/8" by 5" inches deep or copper-coated grow bags or containers of similar or greater volume (164 ml) also work well. If one-gallon containers are used, they should be root-training. A well-drained potting media such as 50% Sunshine peat moss, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, micronutrients, and slow-release fertilizer such as osmocote 14-14-14 is used. Potting media should also be inoculated with VAM (mycorrhizal fungi), available from commercial suppliers and garden centers. As mamane is a nitrogen fixing legume, inoculation with rhizobia bacteria is also highly recommended. | ||
| Establishment Phase: | Pregerminated seeds are placed in containers filled with premoistened potting media and covered with about 5mm of potting media and a thin layer of mulch (such as #2 poultry grit). Water with a fine-headed sprayer to keep moist. Light daily watering is usually necessary, by hand or with an automated system. | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 4 - 6 weeks | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Seedlings can be moved to full sun after they reach the 2-4 leaf stage. After about ten weeks, seedlings are double-spaced in Ray Leach trays to allow maximum penetration of sunlight and air circulation. In some cases, amending with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. Mamane is rather slow in its growth compared to other Hawaiian nitrogen fixing trees. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 4 - 6 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | Growers should continue to ensure that seedlings receive full sun, spacing seedlings out further if necessary. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 4 -6 weeks | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. Keeping them in their containers help protect the roots and allows the plants to stand up in cardboard boxes, or delivered in trays. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended. Empty containers and trays may be returned after the planting is complete. | ||
| Length of Storage: | n/a | ||
| References: |
Little, Elbert L. and Roger G. Skolmen. 1989. Common Forest Trees of Hawai`i (Native and Introduced). United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 679. University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. 2001. Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. Honolulu, HI. Web: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/sop-chry.htm Wagner, Warren L., Darrel R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i. 2 vols., Bishop Museum Special Publication 83. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. |
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Citation:
Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Sophora chrysophylla (Salisb.) Seem. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/18). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
