RNGR.net is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Regional Extension Forestry and is a colloborative effort between these two agencies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Extension Forestry Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

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

Lupinus (argenteus)

Scott Jensen
Botanist
USDA FS - Rocky Mountain Research Station, Shrub Sciences Laboratory
735 N 500 E
Provo, Utah 84606
801-356-5128
801-375-6968 (fax)
sljensen@fs.fed.us
www.fs.fed.us/rm/boise
Family Scientific Name: Fabaceae
Family Common Name: Legume family
Scientific Name: Lupinus argenteus Pursh
Common Name: silvery lupine
Species Code: LUAR3
Ecotype: 9 Biotypes from Utah and Nevada, ranging in elevation from 5600 ft to 7450 ft.
General Distribution: Widespread between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra-Cascade cordillera with numerous varieties.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 7.5 cu.in. Q Plug.
Time To Grow: 11 Weeks
Target Specifications: Transplantable plug. 4+ true leaves.
Propagule Collection: Lupine pods shatter when ripe, requiring collection while the seed is still green. As seed ripens pods become thin and change from green to yellow becoming somewhat transparent. Pods are ripe for harvest when individual seeds can be readily discerned when held against a light background. Seed can be collected by hand stripping the pods or breaking or cutting ripened inflorescences. This species does not ripen uniformly. Multiple collecting trips are required to maximize harvest. Harvested lupine seeds and pods have high moisture content and must be spread out to dry quickly. Small collections are covered with metal screens and large collections with mesh tarps to catch seed as the pods forcefully dehisce. Seed cleans out to 3-4% of initial bulk green weight.
Propagule Processing: Separate loose seed at the bottom of the bag or tarp from pods. Lupine seed tends to be brittle and can be damaged by aggressive abrasion. Dry pods are run rapidly through a debearder then processed through a Clipper seed cleaner using a # 14 round screen and full wind to remove chaff.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seed is placed in boiling water for 1 minute and then put on moistened blotter paper in a Petri dish to imbibe. Most seed that is adequately scarified by this method will imbibe within a week. Seed is refrigerated during the imbibing interval to retard fungal growth. Imbibed seed is inoculated with rhizobium and mycorrhizae then planted. Planting occurs in late January or early February.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Greenhouse: 65øF day/ 50ø night with 12 hours of light. Beaver Plastics 91/130 Styroblock containers are filled with 7.5 in3 Q plugs leaving a ¬" headspace. Two seeds per cell are planted ¬" to «" deep. Trays are heavily watered three to four times to saturate potting media. (Q Plugs are available from International Horticultural Technologies, LLC. Hollister CA. www.ihort.com)
Establishment Phase: Germination begins in about 4 days. Trays are watered as needed to ensure seed remains moist.
Length of Establishment Phase: 3 weeks. Most germination will occur within 2 weeks. The first true leaves appear about 14 days after germination.
Active Growth Phase: Trays are thinned to 1 plant per cell. At 2 week intervals, beginning at 4 weeks, plants are fertilized with a liquid drench (15N:15P:15K).
Length of Active Growth Phase: 8 weeks.
Other Comments: Finding was provided by the Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project.
References: Retrieved Dec., 13, 2006, from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov.

Cronquist, A., Holmgren, A. H., Holmgren, N. H., Reveal, J.L. and Holmgren, P. K. 1989. Intermountain Flora; Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 3, Fabales. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York.

USDA, NRCS. 2007. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 26 February 2007). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Citation:

Jensen, Scott L. 2007. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Lupinus argenteus Pursh plants 7.5 cu.in. Q Plug.; USDA FS - Rocky Mountain Research Station, Shrub Sciences Laboratory Provo, Utah. 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.