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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

Lobelia (siphilitica)

Cathy Thomas
Propagator
Chicago Botanic Garden - Propagation
1000 Lake Cook Rd.
Glencoe, Illinois 60022
847-835-8240
847-835-1635 (fax)
cthomas@chicagobotanic.org
http://chicagobotanic.org

Family Scientific Name: Campanulaceae
Family Common Name: Bellflower Family
Scientific Name: Lobelia siphilitica L.
Common Name: Great Blue Lobelia
Species Code: LOSI
Ecotype: shoreline, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
General Distribution: Open wet woods, stream banks, marshes, meadows. Range: CT to extreme south eastern ND and WY south to GA, TX and CO
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 2 1/2
Time To Grow: 6 Months
Target Specifications: firmly rooted in a 2 1/2 inch container
Pre-Planting Treatments: Stratification: mixed with damp sand and stored at 38 F for 12 weeks in a sealed plastic bag
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Growing Environment: Fully automated greenhouse.
Containers: Seeds sown into ITML brand 128 cell plug trays. Plugs transplanted into T.&O. brand SVD 2 1/2 inch containers.
Media: Seed sown into Fafard Super Fine Germinating Mix. Plugs transplanted into Sunshine SB300 Universal bark mix.
Establishment Phase: Sow date was early March. Seeds were hand sown 2 to 3 seeds per cell to compensate for possible lower germination rates. Seed was not covered because light aids in germination. Flats were placed in a shaded greenhouse under an automated mist system set at 3 seconds of mist every 30 minutes. Air temperature was set at 65 F and bottom heat was run at 70 F. Seedlings were moved to a full sun greenhouse after germination. Temperatures were set at 68 F days and 64 F nights. Day length was extended to 12 hours using HID lights. Seedlings were watered when dry and fertilized weekly with 20-2-20 fertilizer at 200 ppm. Seedlings were thinned to one per cell.
Length of Establishment Phase: 8 weeks from sowing until plugs were ready to transplant
Active Growth Phase: Plugs were transplanted when firmly rooted. Plants were grown in a full sun greenhouse where temperatures were set at 65 F days and 61 F nights. Day length was extended to 12 hours using HID lights. Plants were hand watered when dry and fertilized with 20-10-20 fertilizer at 237 ppm weekly.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 5 weeks
Hardening Phase: Plants were moved outdoors to a cold frame in mid May.
Length of Hardening Phase: 2 weeks
References: USDA, NRCS. 2006. The Plants Database (http:/plants.usda.gov, 13 November 2007) National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.2007. Native Plant Database (http://wildflower.org, 13 November 2007) lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin TX 78739 USA

Citation:

Thomas, Catherine Suzanne. 2007. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Lobelia siphilitica L. plants 2 1/2; Chicago Botanic Garden - Propagation Glencoe, Illinois. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.