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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

Pseudoroegneria (spicata)

Tara Luna
USDI NPS - Glacier National Park
West Glacier, Montana 59936
(406) 888-7835
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/azpmc
Family Scientific Name: Poaceae
Family Common Name: Grass Family
Scientific Name: Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Gould spicata (Pursh ) A. L”ve
Common Synonym: Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Scribn. & J.G. Sm.
Common Name: Bluebunch wheatgrass
Species Code: PSESPI
Ecotype: <i>Festuca idahoensis</i> grassland, Rising Sun, Glacier National Park, Glacier Co., MT.
General Distribution: P. spicata ssp. spicata is widespread east of the Cascades, Alaska to California, east to Alberta, the Dakotas, south throughout the western states to New Mexico. It grows from the plains to middle elevations in the mountains. It is the climax vegetation of many areas in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain States, forming up to 60% over the grassland cover in many areas.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 172 ml conetainers
Time To Grow: 12 Weeks
Target Specifications: Stock Type: Container seedlings<br> Height: 10 to 20 true leaves, 25 cm.<br> Caliper: n/a<br> Root System: firm plug in conetainer.
Propagule Collection: Seeds are collected when florets turn papery and tan. Seeds areis easily stripped out of floret in mid to late August.
Propagule Processing: Seeds are cleaned using a hammermill to remove awns at NRCS. It is important to remove awns or it slows sowing.
Seed Storage is estimated at 5 years at 3 to 5C in sealed containers.
Seed dormancy is classified as physiological dormancy.
Seeds/Kg: 250,000/kg
% Purity: 100%
% Germination: 90%
Pre-Planting Treatments: None. Germination occurs at 21C. Germination is reported to be higher in the presence of light. 2 year old seed was used. Fresh seed should be stratified or dry stored for 6 months prior to sowing.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Greenhouse and outdoor nursery growing facility.
Sowing Method: Direct Seeding. Seeds are lightly covered with media.
Growing media used is 70% 6:1:1 milled sphagnum peat,perlite, and vermiculite and 30% sand with Osmocote controlled release fertilizer (13N:13P2O5:13K2O; 8 to 9 month release rate at 21C) and Micromax fertilizer (12%S, 0.1%B, 0.5%Cu, 12%Fe, 2.5%Mn, 0.05%Mo, 1%Zn) at the rate of 1 gram of Osmocote and 0.20 gram of Micromax per 172 ml conetainer.
Greenhouse temperatures are maintained at 21 to 25C during the day and 16 to 18C at night. Seedlings are hand watered and remain in greenhouse until mid May. Seedlings are then moved to outdoor nursery for the remainder of the growing season.
Seedlings are irrigated with Rainbird automatic irrigation system in early morning until containers are thoroughly leached.
Average growing season of nursery is from late April after snowmelt until October 15th.
Establishment Phase: Media is kept slightly moist during germination. Initial germination appeared uniform and occurred at 21C.
Length of Establishment Phase: 3 weeks
Active Growth Phase: Root and shoot development occurs rapidly following germination. 4 to 6 true leaves were evident 3 weeks after germination. Plants were fertilized with 13-13-13 liquid NPK fertilizer during the growing season.
Some individuals flowered and set seed 3 months after germination.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 9 weeks
Hardening Phase: Irrigation is gradually reduced in September and October. Plants are flushed with clear water once before winterization.
Length of Hardening Phase: 2 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Total Time To Harvest: 12 weeks to root tightness
Harvest Date: September
Storage Conditions: Overwinter in outdoor nursery under insulating foam cover and snow.
Length of Storage: 5 months
Other Comments: There are 2 botanical varieties, var. spicatum, and var. pubescens.
Bluebunch wheatgrass is an important forage for wildlife.
References: Flora of the Pacific Northwest, Hitchcock and Cronquist, 7th edition, University of Washington Press, 1973.
Seeding Rate Statistics for Native and Introduced Species, Hassell, Wendel, U.S.D.I. and U.S.D.A., April 1996.
Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, Baskin and Baskin, Academic Press, 1998.
Growing Colorado Plants From Seed, A State of the Art. Vol. 2: Grasses, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NTIS General Technical Report, 1982.
Glacier National Park Native Plant Nursery Propagation Records, unpublished.

Citation:

Lapp, Joyce; Luna, Tara; Evans, Jeff; Wick, Dale. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Gould plants 172 ml conetainers; USDI NPS - Glacier National Park West Glacier, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.