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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

Lepechinia (fragrans)

Michael Herrera
Nursery Manager
Catalina Island Conservancy
PO Box 2739
Avalon, California 90704
(310) 510-2904
(310) 510-3157 (fax)
mherrera@catalinaconservancy.org
www.catalinaconservancy.org
Family Scientific Name: Lamiaceae
Family Common Name: Mint Family
Scientific Name: Lepechinia fragrans (Greene) Epling
Common Name: Fragrant Pitcher Sage
Species Code: LEPFRA
Ecotype: Catalina Island, California
General Distribution: Fragrant pitcher sage is found throughout southern California. It is rare on Catalina Island, and inhabits chaparral and coastal sage shrub communities.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: #2 tree pot (380 cubic inch)
Time To Grow: 11 Months
Target Specifications: Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm root plug in container.
Propagule Collection: Capsules are hand collected when they are fully matured. We have collected capsules from late June through July.
Propagule Processing: Fruits dry in paper bags in a warm, dry room.
After seeds have been cleaned, they are stored under refrigeration in air tight glass containers at 40 F and 40% RH. With 2 collections, seeds average 3.2 grams per 100 seeds.
Pre-Planting Treatments: We have used a 3 minute Physan fungicide soak or a 3 minute 5% bleach solution to surface sterilize seed coats prior to testing or sowing.
We have tried several treatments to maximize germination rates: hot water, distilled water soak followed by 4 week cold, moist stratification at 40F, and a smoke water treatment for 24 hours.
Germination percentages have ranged from 4 to 10%/hot water soak, 32%/ distilled water soak and 4 week cold stratification, and 52%/24 hr smoke water treatment.
For the liquid smoke treatment, we use Wright's Liquid Smoke at the rate of 1:2 (v:v)liquid smoke to water.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 The James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery is located on Catalina Island off the coast of southern California. From 1993 to 2004, the average maximum and minimum temperatures have been 75.4 F and 46 F,with an average of 361 frost free days per year and annual rainfall of 14 inches.
The facility is comprised of shade houses, mist propagation house, and an outdoor growing compound. All propagation environments are utilized at different stages of seedling growth to provide for the variance in temperature and shading requirements needed during the growing season. We irrigate all containers with an overhead emitter system in the shadehouses and use a drip system or hand water in the outdoor nursery.
Establishment Phase: Seeds are germinated during spring months in a shadehouse were they remain for several weeks. Flats and containers are filled with a 1 inch layer of special seed germination mix of 1:1 (v:v) Sunshine Professional Growing Mix and sand on top of 4:1:1 (v:v:v) peat, perlite, and organic compost. We incorporate Osmocote time release fertilizer (9 month release rate) (14 N:14P2O5:14K2O) at the rate of « cup per 0.75 cubic yard of medium. Seeded flats are watered with an overhead emitter system as needed.
Seeds germinate 2 to 4 weeks after sowing. This species can be susceptible to damping- off disease, so plants must be watered carefully.
Length of Establishment Phase: 2 to 4 weeks
Active Growth Phase: After seedlings are well established and have at least 2 true leaves, they are transplanted into pine cell containers filled with a growing medium of 4:1:1 (v:v:v) peat, perlite, and organic compost. Osmocote time release fertilizer (9 mo release rate) (14 N:14P2O5:14K2O) is incorporated into the medium at a rate of
of « cup per .75 cubic yards of medium.
We shift pine cell container plants once they are root tight to #2 treepots (380 cubic inches) by the end of August. We top prune as needed to encourage branching.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 6 to 9 months
Hardening Phase: Any nursery stock grown under shadehouse conditions are hardened by placing them in full sun exposure for a minimum of 2 weeks prior tooutplanting.
Length of Hardening Phase: 2 to 4 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Containerized seedlings are over wintered directly in the open growing compound.
Length of Storage: Variable; depends on out planting date.

Citation:

Herrera, Mike; Takara, Janet. 2006. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Lepechinia fragrans (Greene) Epling plants #2 tree pot (380 cubic inch); Catalina Island Conservancy Avalon, California. 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.