Prunus (emarginata)

Lee Riley Horticulturist USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center 34963 Shoreview Road Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 541-915-7324 541-767-5709 (fax) lee.riley@usda.gov

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Family Scientific Name:	Rosaceae
Family Common Name:	Rose
Scientific Name:	Prunus emarginata
Common Name:	Bitter cherry
Species Code:	PREM
Ecotype:	Central Oregon, Central Idaho, Willamette Valley Oregon
General Distribution:	Bitter cherry often forms extensive thickets on moist slopes and along stream banks in the transition and Canadian life zones in the coast ranges, the mountains of southern California and in the Sierra Nevada. It extends northward to Idaho and British Columbia and eastward to Nevada and Arizona.
Propagation Goal:	Plants
Propagation Method:	Seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Stock Type:	444 ml (27 in3) container
Time To Grow:	17 weeks
Target Specifications:	Stock Type: Container seedling Root System: Firm plug in container.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Seeds are placed into fine mesh bags and soaked in a 1% hydrogen peroxide (3:1 water/3% hydrogen peroxide) 24 hours, rinsed, and placed in water for an additional 48 hours. Seeds are layered in peat and placed into cold stratification (1 to 3 °C) for 120 days. It is very important to check seeds in peat weekly. If mold is evident, seeds should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Greenhouse growing facility. Seeds are directly sown into containers. Seeds are lightly covered with nursery grit. Growing medium used is 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice with Apex controlled release fertilizer (16N:5P2O5:10K2O with minors; 6 to 7 month release rate at 21C) at the rate of 2 gram Apex per 444 ml container.
Establishment Phase:	Germination is uniform, and is usually complete in 1 to 2 weeks. Plants are lightly fertilized with soluble 12-2-14-6Ca-3Mg at 75 ppm for 2 weeks following complete germination.
Length of Establishment Phase:	3 to 4 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	Once established, plants are fairly fast-growing. Soluble fertilizer (20-9-20 NPK, 20-18-18 NPK, or 17-5-24 NPK) at 100 to 150 ppm is applied weekly throughout the growing season.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	13 weeks
Hardening Phase:	No dry-down is done to induce dormancy. Seedlings are moved to an outdoor growing area in early September.
Length of Hardening Phase:	3 to 4 weeks depending on chilling hours
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Harvest Date: Mid to late October Storage Conditions: Seedlings are usually outplanted in fall. No storage except in outdoor growing area. Plants are well irrigated prior to shipping and shipped in containers.
Other Comments:	Wetland classification: FACU It establishes easily in disturbed moist areas and prefers open sandy or gravelly sites. This species succeeds in full sun or partial shade but grows best in a sunny position. Bitter cherry does not tolerate much shade competition from other trees.
References:	Dorena Genetic Resource Center Propagation Records, unpublished. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services. Prunus emarginata (Douglas ex Hook.) D. Dietr. URL: https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_prem.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2024). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services. Prunus emarginata (Douglas ex Hook.) D. Dietr. URL: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PREM (Accessed 6 March 2024).

Citation:

Riley, Lee E.; Klocke, Allison. 2024. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Prunus emarginata Plants 444 ml (27 in3) container; USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center Cottage Grove, Oregon. 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.