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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

Pseudoroegeneria (spicata)

Steve Parr
Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center
P.O. Box 448, 5538 - RBC 4
Meeker, Colorado 81641
(970) 878-5003
(970) 878-5004 (fax)
plant@cmn.net
http://www.coloradoplantcenter.org/

Family Scientific Name: Poaceae
Family Common Name: Grass
Scientific Name: Pseudoroegeneria spicata
Common Name: bluebunch wheatgrass
Species Code: PSSPS
Ecotype: Piceance Basin Colorado
General Distribution: Rio Blanco County Road 20 located in the Piceance Basin in Colorado. Ecological zones include big sagebrush, greasewood, Sandberg's bluegrass, Utah sweetvetch, western wheatgrass, pinyon, Utah juniper and rabbitbrush. Elevation 6200 to 6800 feet.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Time To Grow: Weeks
Propagule Collection: Seed was collected in mid June to late July from the Piceance Basin area. It was collected when the inflorescence was dry and the seed was in the hard dough stage. Inflorescence was clipped from the plant and was stored in paper bags at room temperature until seed was cleaned in the winter.
Pre-Planting Treatments: No treatment is necessary for this species. Prior to planting, a germination test was performed on the bluebunch, it had a 96 percent germination.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Propagation Environment: Seed beds were firm and weed free. In August, the seed was directly seeded into the ground and germinated by October of that year. Plants then went dormant for the winter and re-emerged in the spring of the following year.
Establishment Phase: Sowing date: August Sowing/Planting Technique: 30-33 pure live seeds/ft. Seeded with a belt seeder at 0.25 inches depth.
Length of Establishment Phase: Two growing seasons to achieve seed heads.
Active Growth Phase: Rapid growth occurred in the warmer summer months.
Length of Active Growth Phase: Three months
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Seed was harvested by hand with clippers and placed in paper bags. Bags were stored at room temperature.
References: USDA, NRCS. 2011. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 29 December 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Citation:

Blanke, Terri; Woodruff, Heather. 2011. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Pseudoroegeneria spicata plants Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center Meeker, Colorado. 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.