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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

Rudbeckia (occidentalis)

Lee Riley
Horticulturist
USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center
34963 Shoreview Road
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
541-915-7324
541-767-5709 (fax)
lee.riley@usda.gov
Family Scientific Name: Asteraceae
Family Common Name: Aster
Scientific Name: Rudbeckia occidentalis
Common Name: western coneflower
Species Code: RUOC2
Ecotype: Umpqua National Forest, Oregon
General Distribution: Western United States
Propagation Goal: Plants
Propagation Method: Seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 262 ml (16 in3) container
Time To Grow: 15 weeks
Target Specifications: Stock Type: Container seedling Root System: Firm plug in container.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are placed in fine mesh bags into a 1% hydrogen peroxide (3:1 water/3% hydrogen peroxide) soak for 24 hours, rinsed, and placed in water for an additional 24 hours. The bags are placed in sealed containers in refrigeration at 1 to 3 °C for 90 days.
It is very important to check seeds weekly. If mold is evident, seeds should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Greenhouse growing facility.
Seeds are directly sown into containers. Seeds are lightly covered with nursery grit.
Growing medium used is 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice with Nutricote controlled release fertilizer (18N:6P2O5:8K2O with minors; 180-d release rate at 21C) at the rate of 1.5 gram Nutricote per 262 ml container.
Establishment Phase: Germination is somewhat uneven, and may take up to 3 weeks to be complete. Following germination, plants are fertilized with soluble 12-2-14-6Ca-3Mg at 75 ppm for 1 week.
Length of Establishment Phase: 3 weeks
Active Growth Phase: Seedlings grow rapidly throughout the active growth phase. During the growing season, fertilization depends on weather. Soluble 20-9-20 NPK, 20-18-18 NPK, or 17-5-24 NPK at a rate of 100 to 150 ppm is applied weekly throughout the growing season.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 12 weeks
Hardening Phase: No dry-down is done to induce dormancy. Seedlings are moved to an outdoor growing area in early to mid September.
Length of Hardening Phase: 2 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: Wetland classification: FAC
References: Dorena Genetic Resource Center Propagation Records, unpublished.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Rudbeckia occidentalis Nutt. western coneflower. URL: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RUOC2 (accessed 10 Oct 2018).

Citation:

Riley, Lee E.; Klocke, Allison. 2018. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Rudbeckia occidentalis Plants 262 ml (16 in3) container; USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center Cottage Grove, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.