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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Artemisia (rigida)

Lee Riley
Horticulturist
USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center
34963 Shoreview Road
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
541-915-7324
541-767-5709 (fax)
leriley@fs.fed.us
Family Scientific Name: Asteraceae
Family Common Name: Aster or Sunflower
Scientific Name: Artemisia rigida
Common Name: Scabland or Stiff Sagebrush
Species Code: ARRI2
Ecotype: Umatilla NF, Oregon
General Distribution: Eastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and west-central Idaho. At elevations of 200 to 2000 m (700 to 7000 ft).
Propagation Goal: Plants
Propagation Method: Seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 444 ml (27 in3) container
Time To Grow: 18 weeks
Target Specifications: Stock Type: Container seedling Root System: Firm plug in container.
Propagule Collection: Collect ripe seeds from September - November.
Propagule Processing: Isolate the seeds from other plant material by hand with a screen. Then thoroughly dry.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are sown into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs (Q-plugs). Trays are sealed inside plastic bags and placed into refrigeration at 1 to 3 °C for 60 days. Trays are checked weekly and kept moist throughout the stratification period. If mold is evident, trays should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Greenhouse growing facility.
Q-plugs are lightly covered with nursery grit. Seedlings are transplanted to target containers approximately 3 weeks following removal from stratification.
Growing medium used is 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice with Apex controlled release fertilizer (16N:5P2O5:10K2O with minors; 6- to 7-month release rate at 21°C) at the rate of 2 g Apex per 444 ml container.
Establishment Phase: Germination is uniform and is usually complete in 2 weeks. Following germination (while still in Q-plugs), plants are fertilized with soluble 12-2-14-6Ca-3Mg at 75 to 100 ppm for 2 weeks. Careful control of irrigation is necessary to avoid seedling damping-off.
Length of Establishment Phase: 2 to 3 weeks
Active Growth Phase: Plants are somewhat slow-growing following establishment. Soluble fertilizer (20-9-20 NPK, 20-18-18 NPK, or 17-5-24 NPK) at 100 to 150 ppm is applied weekly throughout the growing season. Careful control of irrigation is necessary to avoid stem rot.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 18 weeks
Hardening Phase: A careful dry-down is done to induce dormancy. Seedlings are moved to an outdoor growing area in early September.
Length of Hardening Phase: 2 to 3 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Harvest Date: Mid to late October
Storage Conditions: Seedlings are usually outplanted in fall. No storage except in outdoor growing area. Plants are well irrigated prior to shipping and shipped in containers.
Other Comments: Seedlings and transplants do not compete well with cheatgrass or annuals. It is a late successional species that takes a longer time to become dominant.
It usually grows in shallow, stony sites, often above basaltic bedrock.
References: Dorena Genetic Resource Center Propagation Records, unpublished.

Kendzierski P. 2005. Stiff Sagebrush/Rock Sagebrush/Scabland Sagebrush, Artemisia rigida. Seattle (WA): University of Washington. URL:
https://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/Artemisia%20rigida.htm (accessed 23 Oct 2019).

McArthur ED, Taylor JR. nd. Artemisia rigida (Nutt.) Gray stiff sagebrush. Provo (UT): USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Shrub Sciences Laboratory. URL:
https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/boise/research/shrub/Links/2004papers/mcarthur-artemisiarigida2004.pdf (accessed 23 Oct 2019).

McWilliams J. 2003. Artemisia rigida. In: Fire Effects Information System, Online. Missoula (MT): USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. URL: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/artrig/all.html (Accessed 23 Oct 2019).

Citation:

Fisher, Leslie; Riley, Lee E.. 2020. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Artemisia rigida Plants 444 ml (27 in3) container; USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center Cottage Grove, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.