Caprifoliaceae (Symphoricarpos)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Symphoricarpos (albus)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Caprifoliaceae

Family Common Name:
Honeysuckle Family

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Symphoricarpos

Species:
albus

Scientific Classification:
Variety

Scientific SubSpecies:
laevigatus

Species Authority:
(L.) Blake

Scientific SubAuthority:
(Fern) Blake

Authors:

Betty Young

Common Synonym:

Genus:
Symphoricarpos

Species:
albus

Synonym Classification:
Sub-species

Synonym SubSpecies:
laevigatus

Species Authority:
(L.) Blake

Synonym SubAuthority:
(Fern) Blake

Other Information:

Common Name:
Common Snowberry

Species Code:
SYMALB

Ecotype:
Marin County, California

General Distribution:
S. albus var. laevigatus is found below 4,000 feet elevation, from Monterey County and the northern Sierras, California north to Alaska and east to Montana.

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
Deepot 40

Grow Time:
0

Target Specifications:
Height: N/A
Caliper: N/A
Root System: Firm plug in container.

Propagation Collection:
Seeds are collected between September 15th and February 1st.
Mature fruitsare white. There are 2 seeds per fruit.
Seed is white to light tan at maturity.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Seed Cleaning:Mash the berries through a sieve and wash to remove pulp.
Storage Conditions: Seeds are kept dry and stored in a refrigerator.
Seeds/gram: 150

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Soak seeds overnight in fresh water. Place in a equal amount of moist vermiculite in a plastic freezer bag. Stratify for 60 days in the dark at room temperature follwed by a 180 day cold moist stratification in the refrigerator. Start checking for germination after 120 days.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Fully Controlled Greenhouse.
Sowing Method: Transplanting Germinants.
8 grams of seeds are sown per flat containing Sunshine Mix #4 Aggregate Plus (peat moss, perlite, major and minor nutrients, gypsum, and dolomitic lime).
Seeds are covered with media.
Flats are watered in with an automatic mist and irrigation system.
Seeds are sown on June 1st.
% Germination: 75%

Establishment Phase:
Seeds germinate 240 days after sowing.
Seedlings are transplanted after germination to individual containers 2"x10" tubes (Deepot 40) containing standard potting mix of peat moss, fir bark, perlite, and sand.
Transplant Survival averages 75%.

Length of Establishment Phase:

Active Growth Phase:

Length of Active Growth Phase:

Hardening Phase:

Length of Hardening Phase:

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
This species is easily propagated by cuttings and is the preferred method since seeds require many months of stratification.

References:
A California Flora and Supplement, Munz, P., University of California Press, Berkeley and London, 1973.

Citation:
Young, Betty. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake plants Deepot 40; San Francisco, California. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/05/15). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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