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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

Dichanthelium (clandestinum)

John M. Englert
USDA NRCS - Norman A. Berg National Plant Materials Center
Bldg. 509, BARC - East, E. Beaver Dam Road
Beltsville, Maryland 20705
(301) 504-8175
(301) 504-8741 (fax)
john.englert@wdc.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mdpmc/

Family Scientific Name: Poaceae
Family Common Name: Grass Family
Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum (L.) Gould
Common Name: Deertongue
Species Code: DICCLA
Ecotype: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, Skyline Drive
General Distribution: Dichanthelium clandestinum ranges from Nova Scotia and Quebec west to Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, and south to northern Florida and Texas; it prefers moist conditions but somewhat sandy soils and is found in thickets and wooded areas.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: vegetative
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: Container plugs
Time To Grow: 3 Months
Target Specifications: Height: 4-6" Root System: Full, firm plug which leaves no loose soil when pulled.
Propagule Collection: Collected in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, by J. Englert on 8/20-21/92 and the National Plant Materials Center, Maryland, by D. Dusty on 10/1/96, 10/24/97, and 9/28/98.
Propagule Processing: Seed Processing: Seeds are separated from chaff with a 2-screen seed clipper.
Seeds/Kg: 830,000.
Germination: No test results. Greenhouse germination was 9% of seeds planted, or71 plugs per gram of seed.
Purity: 82%.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Propagation Environment: Greenhouse with alternating day/night temperatures (75/68F) and 12-14 hours of daylight extended with high-pressure sodium lights.

Container Type and Volume: Seeds are sown in 392 plug trays. Seedlings are transplanted to 72 plug trays.

Growing Media: Seeds are sown in Fafard Germinating Mix. Seedlings are transplanted into Sunshine #5 plug mix with 180 day Nutricote (16-8-8) SR fertilizer incorporated @ 0.15lb/cu ft.
Establishment Phase: Sowing Date: February for spring planting; July for fall planting.

Sowing/Planting Technique: Seed is surface-sown on germination mix in 392 plug trays, placed on heat mats (set @ 7SF) and misted for 5-7 days. Trays are then moved from mist to bench and seeds are lightly covered with germination mix.

Establishment Phase: Seedlings are transplanted to 72 plug flats. Appear to prefer well-drained media.
Hardening Phase: Hardening Phase: 2-3 weeks prior to out-planting, fertilization is stopped, water is decreased and greenhouse temperatures are reduced or plugs are moved outdoors.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Total Time to Harvest: About 80 days from germination to finished plug.

Harvest Date: Out-planted in spring or fall.

Seed storage: Seed bags in seed cooler held at 40 F and 35% relative humidity Seed dormancy: Germination is improved with 5-7 days of bottom heat and mist.
References: Manual of the Grasses of the United States, Hitchcock, 2nd edition, U.S. Government
Printing Office, 1950.

Manual of Vascular Plants, Gleason and Cronquist, D. Van Nostrand Co., 1963.

Citation:

Kujawski, Jennifer L.; Davis, Kathy M.. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Dichanthelium clandestinum (L.) Gould plants Container plugs; USDA NRCS - Norman A. Berg National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, Maryland. 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.