Polystichum (munitum)
|
Stacy McDonough Horticulturalist North Cascades National Park Native Plant Nursery 7280 Ranger Station Road Marblemount , Washington 98267 360-854-7276 360-873-4086 (fax) stacy_mcdonough@nps.gov |
|
| Family Scientific Name: | Dryopteridaceae | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Common Name: | Wood Fern | ||
| Scientific Name: | Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl | ||
| Common Name: | Sword Fern | ||
| Species Code: | POL MUN | ||
| Ecotype: | North Cascades, Washington | ||
| General Distribution: | Western Sword Fern occurs along the Pacific Coast from Southeastern Alaska south to Baja California with disjunct populations east to Central Montana. P. munitum is widespread in the understory of mesic coniferous and moist mixed-evergreen forest at low to middle elevations (sea level to 7200 feet ) along the northern Pacific Coast. (USDA, FEIS Database) | ||
| Propagation Goal: | Plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 6" Pot | ||
| Time To Grow: | 24 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Plant approximately 5" tall with leathery leaves formed and firm plug in container | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Careful observation of phenology of the fern lifecyle is imperative to collecting viable spores. We monitor ferns for spore maturity starting in mid-June in western WA by periodically collecting a section of frond and viewing the sori under a dissecting microscope. When the spores are immature, the semi-transparent indusium will cover the entire sorus like a cap and will appear sealed around its edges. Conversely, at maturity the indusium has begun to shrivel and roll back to reveal the many small round sporangia that make up the sorus. The sporangia can be mistaken for spores, whereas in fact they contain the much smaller spores, and upon maturity they dehisce to distribute the spores in a sudden, flinging motion. We collect fronds with mature spores in mid June to early July prior to dehiscence and store them between a folded sheet of paper so that the spores can be captured. | ||
| Propagule Processing: |
Collected fronds are stored spore side down between two sheets of paper until spores are released. Spore cleaning – after spores are released – remove fern frond and any chaff from the spores. Spore storage – spores must be kept dry. Spores can be stored at room temperature. |
||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | NA | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Sterilize growing media, spray bottles, flats and flat covering in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes, then rinse, prior to sowing spores. Fill 1” deep flats with sterilized media (3:1:1 soil, perlite and coconut coir), pre-moistened with distilled water. Use a fine sieve to top sow spores by lightly sprinkling as evenly as possible across the entire surface of the media Evenly distributed spores will result in well-spaced sporophytes which will be easier to transplant and aid in fertilization. Water thoroughly with a high output spray bottle of distilled water. Place the sown flats inside an upside-down clear plastic bin with locking lid (28qt., 23” L x 16 1/4” W x 6” H) . Place flats onto lid and use the body of the bin as a lid. Water periodically with distilled water – do not use tap water, and do not let flats dry completely. |
||
| Establishment Phase: |
Spores generally started to germinate in 30-60 days after sowing. A ‘slime – like’ green coating on media will be visible after germination followed by the development of the heart-shaped prothallus of the gametophyte generation. Once prothalli have grown enough to be easily identifiable they are mature enough to produce sperm and egg cells which will give rise to the sporophyte generation. At this stage, be sure to mist frequently enough to provide a film of moisture on the prothallus and the medium to allow sperm to travel to neighboring prothalli to complete fertilization. After fertilization occurs sporophytes will develop, emerging as a single stalked leaves from the axis of the prothallus. |
||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 30-180 days | ||
| Active Growth Phase: |
Germination and development of gametophyte generation occurs after 30-60 days Fertilization and development of sporophyte generation occurs between 120-180 days after development of the prothallus of the gametophyte generation. Developing sporophytes can be transplanted when the they have one or two true leaves. Transplant sporophytes into 4” pots in clumps of 3 to 5 sporophytes per pot in 3:1:1 media mix (soil: perlite: coconut coir). |
||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 16-20 Weeks | ||
| Hardening Phase: | Young sporophytes are sensitive to desiccation, direct sunlight, and frost, and must be protected from environmental extremes. We maintain recently transplanted sporophytes in the greenhouse, on a shaded bench for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. After development of 3-5 fronds, sporophytes can be moved to a shaded area of the nursery. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 4-6 weeks | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | Ferns are ready for outplanting after 2 seasons in the nursery - approximately 2 years after spores are sown and 1 year after initial transplanting. | ||
Citation:
McDonough, Stacy J; Rising, Rebecca J. 2021. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) Plants 6" Pot; North Cascades National Park Native Plant Nursery Marblemount , Washington. 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.
