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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

Erianthus (giganteus)

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: Erianthus giganteus (Walter)
Common Name: Sugar-cane plumegrass
Species Code: ERIGIG
Ecotype: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
General Distribution: Moist ground and old fields; New Jersey to Kentucky; Arkansas south to Florida and Texas.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Stock Type: 1+0 container
Time To Grow: 14 Weeks
Target Specifications: Stock Type: Plug container seedling.<br> Height: Around 6-8" after cut-backs.<br> Caliper: N/A.<br> Root System: Full, firm plug which leaves no loose soil when pulled.
Propagule Collection: Collected in 1999.
Propagule Processing: Seed Processing: Seed was hand-picked from stems and hand-rubbed to remove fluff. Cleaning was finished with a small clipper, screen 1/24 top, solid bottom, air on low, vent opened 1/4.Seeds/Kg: Approximately 500,000; 100 seed weight was 0.2 grams.
Germination: No test. Germination in greenhouse was 27% of seeds sown or 133 plugs per gram.
Purity: 82%.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seed Treatments: 3 weeks cool stratification @ 45§F, and 35% relative humidity.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Propagation Environment: Greenhouse with alternating day/night temperatures (75-85§F daytime and 65-68§Fnights) and 12-14 hours of daylight extended with high pressure sodium lights from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Seed Propagation Method: Hand sown in germination plug trays.

Container Type and Volume: Seeds were sown in 392 plug trays and transplanted to Ropak multipots.


Growing Media: Seeds are sown in Fafard Germinating Mix. Seedlings are transplanted into a 2:1 Sunshine #5:Compro mix (one 3.8 cu. ft. bale Sunshine mix, 2 bags Compro) with 180 day Nutricote (16-6-8) SR fertilizer incorporated @ 20 oz. per batch of mix.
Establishment Phase: Sowing Date: 12/13/99. Stratified in cooler until 1/7/00, placed on bench 1/7/00.


% Emergence and Date: 50% of total seedlings that eventually germinated had emerged by day 14; the balance by day 28.


Sowing/Planting Technique: Seed is sown in germination mix in 392 plug trays, drenched with fungicide, covered with clear plastic and cold-stratified in cooler at 40§F, 35% humidity for 3 weeks. Trays are then moved to bench and kept evenly moist while covered with plastic until germinated.

Establishment Phase: Seedlings were transplanted to Ropak multipots about 17-20 days after emergence. Smaller seedlings were hand-dug out of germination trays and transplanted with no adverse effects.
Active Growth Phase: Rapid growth phase: Several cutbacks were performed to strengthen stems and promote root growth. Plugs grew steadily but not rapidly.
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: Harvest Date: Delivered to Park in early May.

Total Time to Harvest: About 12-14 weeks from germination to finished plug.

Storage Conditions: N/A; plugs are not over-wintered.

Seed storage: Seed bags in seed cooler held at 40§F and 35% relative humidity
Length of Storage: N/A.
Other Comments: Comments: This was the first time this species was attempted. There were no previous propagation records.
References: Gleason, H and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second ed. Bronx, NY: New York Botanical Garden. 910 pp.

Hitchcock. 1950. Manual of the Grasses of the United States. 2nd edition, U.S. Government Printing Office.

Citation:

Kujawski, Jennifer L.; Davis, Kathy M.. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Erianthus giganteus (Walter) plants 1+0 container; USDA NRCS - Norman A. Berg National Plant Materials Center Beltsville, Maryland. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/03). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.