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Juncus (effusus)

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

Family Scientific Name: Juncaceae
Family Common Name: Rush family
Scientific Name: Juncus effusus L.
Common Name: Common rush
Species Code: Common rush
Ecotype: Yosemite National Park
General Distribution: Throughout North America
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 removed from plant material using a brush machine or hammermill. We run our seed through an air-screen with 1.15 mm top screen and solid bottom screen with no- to very light light air. Finer material can be effectively removed using a gravity table.
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%. No stratification treatments are necessary.
Establishment Phase: We used Sunshine Mix #4. No fertilizer is added to the soil mix. Five to ten seeds are placed on the soil surface and pressed for good seed-to-soil contact. Conetainer trays were placed in greenhouse ponds filled with water to about the same level as the soil in the cones (about 7 to 8 inches). This allowed the cones to imbibe water maintain full saturation. 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: 4 weeks
Active Growth Phase: Our seed lot had very high viability and most cones had multiple plants in them and 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 trimmed our plants occasionally with an electric hedge trimmer. Every 2 or 3 weeks we drained the greenhouse ponds and allowed the soil to dry for a day or two.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 4 months
Length of Hardening Phase: none
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) Juncus effusus L. Plants 10 cubic inch conetainer; USDA NRCS - Aberdeen Plant Materials Center Aberdeen, Idaho. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/04/18). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.