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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

Cercis (orbiculata)

Melanie Keeley
Restorartion Horticulturist
USDI NPS - Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, California 93271
5595653775
5595654204 (fax)
Melanie_Baer-Keeley@nps.gov
http://www.ggnpa.org

Family Scientific Name: Fabaceae
Family Common Name: Legume Family
Scientific Name: Cercis orbiculata Greene
Common Synonym: Cercis occidentalis Torr. ex Gray orbiculata
Common Name: Californina Redbud
Species Code: CERORB
Ecotype: Sierra Foothills
General Distribution: Dry, shrubby slopes, canyons, ravines, stream banks, chaparral, foothill woodlands to yellow pine forests throughout California Floristic Province
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: Deep pots
Time To Grow: 8 Months
Target Specifications: Container stock for restoration, multi branched, 6-8" high, fully rooted in container before out-planting
Propagule Collection: Collected 12/6/02, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Ash Mountain, Buckeye Housing by M. B. Keeley
Propagule Processing: Seed cleaning requires hand stripping dry pods off of hard-coated seeds. Gently blow off residual chaff.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Hot water soaking treatment. 200F water is poured over seed to crack seed coat. Seed is left to soak in water overnight, then near boiling water is again poured over seed & left to soak. Continue to soak seed in fresh water for four more days, allowing seeds to imbibe water. Refresh water each day. Floating seeds are not viable and should be removed. Plant immediatly after treatment. Germination should occur within a couple of weeks.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Seeds are planted in 5%bleach-sanitized 2 1/2" deep nursery flats, filled with sterile well-draining soiless mix. (Suggested 1:3 parts perlite to soil mix) Neither orgainic nor inorganic fertilizers of any type should be in the soil. Keep seeds moist until well germinated, then reduce watering-- watering when soil is dry.
Establishment Phase: Transplant immediately from flats into sanitized pots when two true leaves unfurl. Protect from rodents. Seedlings are subject to pythium and phytophthera, so, light applications of systemic Subdue fungicide are effective. Transplant directly into deep pots approximately 2 1/2" w x 8" h. Add 1/2 recommended dosages of time-release-balanced fertilized.
Length of Establishment Phase: Approximately 2 months
Active Growth Phase: Thereafter, water when almost dry only. Stop fertilizing by late spring and over the summer
Length of Active Growth Phase: 1 1/2 years
References: Collecting, Processing, Germinating Seeds of Wildland Plants
By Young & Young

Seed Propagation of Native California Plants
By Dara Emery, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

The Jepson Manual
Edited by James Hickman

Citation:

Baer-Keeley, Melanie. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Cercis orbiculata Greene plants Deep pots; USDI NPS - Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park Three Rivers, California. 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.