Pinaceae (Pinus)
Pinus (palustris)
Pinaceae
Pine Family
Pinus
palustris
P. Mill.
Longleaf Pine
PINPAL
Louisiana
P. palustris is found from east Texas through the lower coastal plain to Virginia.
plants
seed
Container (plug)
1+0 container
9 Months
Height: 15 cm
Caliper:7 to 9mm
Cones are collected in September and October, with seeds dispersing naturally from October to November. Obtaining good quality seeds is difficult.
Seeds have persistent wings and are easliy damaged during processing and extraction.
Seeds/kg: 2000/kg
Use seeds with at least an 80% viability to reduce costs of thinning and transplanting.
Since long leaf pine seeds typically have pathogenic fungi, it is necessary to treat seeds with a fungicide. Soaking seeds in a 30% hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour or 10 minute bath in benomyl solution (5g/L [2 tbsp/gal]) reduces fungal infestation and improves germination.
Seedlings are grown outdoors in full sun.
Sowing Method: Seeds are sown in spring (March to May) and are sown by hand using simple dibble boards or seeding machines, depending on crop size. Seeds are coverd to a depth of 3mm with grit, medium, or vermiculite. Seeds with high viability are sown one per cell and are oversown depending on germination percentage.
Growing Medium used is 1:1mix of peat moss and #2 grade perlite. Medium ph should be held at 4.5 to 5.0 pH to restrict pathogenic fungi. Most growers incorporate 8 to 9 month, controlled release fertilizer (typically Osmocote 18N:6P0205:12K20 at 2 to 3.5 kg/m2 of medium.
Container Type and Volume: An ideal container for growing longleaf pine should have a volume of 100 ml, and a minimum depth of 11 cm, and a density of less than 535 seedlings per m2. Styroblocks, Multi-pots and HIKO containers are widely used in the southern United States.
Controlling temperature during germination is important since long leaf pine is ecologically adapted to fall germination. Day and night temperatures should be near 22C with a permissible range of 15 to 27C.
Water frequently but lightly to facilitate germination and avoid diseases. Fungicide applications should begin as soon as feasible to reduce damping-off and inhibit pathogenic fungi.
Seedlings must be monitore for pest and weed problems. Some common pests include; cutworms, fungus gnats, and ants.
Since stem elongation is delayed for this species, rapid growth is exhibited by needle growth. Heavy fertilization schedules promote root collar growth, but may require needle clipping to prevent lodging of the long needles that may reach lengths to 30 to 35 cm in length. Needle clipping may be necessary to prevent non uniform growth problems with neighboring seedlings and to reduce fungal problems. Clip only enough needles to reduce the problem; needles should not be clipped less than 15cm in length.
Medium should be allowed to dry near the wilting point between irrigation applications to enhance hardening, mycorrhizae and root development. Few, if any nutreints should be applied at this stage.
Growers may extract seedlings from the containers at the nursery or at the planting site. Before extraction, seedlings should be thoroughly watered.
Place seedlings in cardbard boxes for shipment. Properly hardened, container seedlings seedlings can be extracted, boxed and stored at 1 to 3C for several weeks.
Growing Longleaf Pine Seedlings in Containers, Barnett, J., and McGilvray, J., Native Plants Journal, Fall 2000, 1:54-58.
McGilvray, John M.; Barnett, James P.. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Pinus palustris P. Mill. plants 1+0 container; USDA FS - Southern Research Station Pineville, Louisiana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/17). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
