Cupressus (arizonica)

John T. Harrington Professor New Mexico State University-Mora Research Center P. O. Box 359 Mora, New Mexico 87732-0359 575-387-2319 575-387-9012 (fax) joharrin@nmsu.edu www.arborday.org

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Family Scientific Name:	Pinaceae
Family Common Name:	Pine Family
Scientific Name:	Cupressus arizonica Greene ssp. arizonica Greene
Common Name:	Arizona cypress
Species Code:	CUAR
Ecotype:	ssp. arizonica
General Distribution:	This species occurs on well-drained and gravelly sites at elevations of 3000 - 8500 feet. The eastern most location of this species is the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. The range continues through southern New Mexico and Arizona to portions of southern California (Vines1960). The southern portion of this species' range extends well into Mexico including the states of Durango, Chihuahua and Sonora. Typically this species can be found in the bottom and sides of canyons and arroyos, often on northern aspects.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Stock Type:	164 ml conetainer
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Height: 15 to 20 cm Caliper:2 to 3 mm Root System: Firm root plug.
Propagule Collection:	Seeds, 50 to 110+ per cone, are contained in round cones. Cones can remain serotinous, hence some collections may contain older and younger seed. Mature cones are dark brown to purple brown. Older cones become gray in color.
Propagule Processing:	Cones can be opened by drying in the sun (in Las Cruces) in cone cages from late spring through early fall. Cone tumblers can be used to eject seed from cones once the cones have opened. Reported number of seeds per pound ranges from 40, 000 to 150,000+.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Leach the seed under a running tap for 24 to 36 hours. Place moist seed into self-sealing plastic bags and stratify from 45 to 60 days at 3 to 5 F.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Propagation occurs in a greenhouse and outdoor nursery (shadehouse) facility. During establishment and initial portion of the active growth period seedlings are kept in the greenhouse. During the later portion of the active growth period through the storage period seedlings are kept in the shadehouse. Seed is sown in early April and seedlings are moved into the shadehouse in late June when seedlings are between 10 and 13 cm tall. Growing media is a 2:1:1 (v:v:v) peat:perlite:vermiculite mixture. Controlled release fertilizer 14-14-14 (N-P-K) 3 -4 month is incorporated into the media at the rate of 4 kg/m3. Greenhouse and shadehouse irrigation is provided via computer controlled irrigation system utilizing RainBird plastic MPR nozzles. Irrigation heads are spaced to provide head to head coverage. Seedlings are fertilized using a fertigation system, which utilizes the irrigation system.
Establishment Phase:	The top of the media is dibbled between 2 and 4 mm and seed is placed in the dibble hole. A 2 to 5 mm layer of medium chicken grit is place of the top of the media/seed to serve as a gravel mulch. The containers are irrigated 4 to 8 times daily to keep the surface of the media moist. Greenhouse night and day temperatures range from 18 to 26 C and no supplemental light is provided. Thinning of germinants to one seedling per cell begins after 14 days. The container system allows for the consolidation of germinants to separate containers, which are removed from daily misting. This process also begins after 14 days.
Length of Establishment Phase:	28 days
Active Growth Phase:	The first portion (through week 10) of the active growth phase is performed in the greenhouse. The remaining 8 to 10 weeks is performed in the shade house. Containers are irrigated as needed, which usually involves irrigation once every 4 to 5 days for the first several weeks then one every 2 to 3 days through the remainder of the active growth period. Containers are allowed to dry down to a moderate state between irrigations. This irrigation regime is used to help minimize root disease problems. During the first 3 to 4 weeks of the active growth phase, seedlings are fertigated every other irrigation with progressively increasing concentrations of a liquid based fertilizer (20-7-19; N-P-K) starting at 50 ppm N and increasing to 125 ppm N. Throughout the remainder of the active growth period seedlings are fertilized every other irrigation with 125 ppm N until seedlings attain the target shoot height (15 to 18 cm). During the greenhouse portion of the active growth period greenhouse temperatures during the day are 21 to 26 C and during the night 17 to 22 C. Ambient photoperiod is supplemented with 5 min light interruptions every 2 hours throughout the night from 75 watt incandescent lights suspended 2 meters above greenhouse benches. Once transferred outside, ambient temperature and light regimes are utilized.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	16 to 20 weeks
Hardening Phase:	This phase begins in late summer to early fall as soon as seedlings attain their target shoot height. Containers are leached with a heavy irrigation and a series of incrementally increasing water stresses is applied to restrict any further height growth. Arizona cypress does not set a terminal bud so strict regulation of nutrient and water availability is used to control height growth. In Las Cruces, ambient day temperatures are still quite warm, but the interval between irrigations becomes progressively longer due to seedlings becoming acclimated to water deficits and the gradual cooling associated with the onset of fall. Seedlings are fertilized every third irrigation (fertigated) with a liquid based fertilizer (4-25-35; N-P-K) at a rate of 25 ppm N.
Length of Hardening Phase:	4 to 6 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Seedlings are kept in the shadehouse through the winter and are usually shipped in late February to early March. Irrigation intervals are extended during this period and fertilizer is provided every fourth irrigation as described above. All irrigations are done early in the morning, as this species is particularly susceptible to Phomopsis and Botrytis. Early irrigations usually allow sufficient time for the foliage to dry before nightfall.
Length of Storage:	5 months
Other Comments:	For growers in more northern climates it maybe necessary to store seedlings in a cold frame to prevent losses due to severe cold. The hardening phase of Arizona cypress will be similar to those of junipers in that the regulation of nutrient and water availability will be critical to success.
References:	[IT IS] Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 2001. (On-line database). http://www.itis.usda.gov. Accessed 11 Nov 2002. U.S.D.A. 1974. Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States. U.S.D.A. Forest Service Agriculture Handbook No. 450. 883 pp. Vines, R.A. 1960. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of the Southwest. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX. 1104 pp.

Citation:

Rosner, Lee S.; Harrington, John T. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Cupressus arizonica Greene plants 164 ml conetainer; New Mexico State University-Mora Research Center Mora, New Mexico. 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.