Prunus (americana)
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Sue Morrison Greenhouse Coordinator University of Idaho Pitkin Forest Nursery PO Box 441137 Moscow, Idaho 83844-1137 208-885-3512 208-885-6226 (fax) susanj@uidaho.edu seedlings.uidaho.com |
| Family Scientific Name: | Rosaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Rose family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Prunus americana Marsh. | ||
| Common Name: | American plum | ||
| Species Code: | PRUAME | ||
| Ecotype: | Native in the midwest and eastern U.S. | ||
| General Distribution: | Occurs from Massachusetts to Montana, and as far south as New Mexico, central Texas, and northwest Florida | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 20 cubic inch root plug | ||
| Time To Grow: | 5 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height: 10-12 inches Caliper: 0.25 inch Root System: a firm plug | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Seed is purchased from a seed company. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Soak seed in running water bath for 48 hours to imbibe. "Floaters", or empty seeds are discarded. Cold stratify in media (50%/50% peat/vermiculite) for 160 days at 33-40 degrees F. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Nursery grit is applied as a top-covering after seeds are sown in 45/340 Styroblock containers (Beaver Plastics). We grow seedlings in an open-sided greenhouse, equipped with a traveling boom irrigation system. Germination temperatures range diurnally from 60-80 degrees F. | ||
| Establishment Phase: |
Sow in mid May. Germination occurs 7-10 days after sowing. Water daily until seeds are germinated. Begin fertilizing with Scott's Plant Starter 8-45-14, at 42 ppm N during the third week after sowing. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | 5 weeks | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | At 5 weeks after sowing, switch to a growing regime of Scotts Plant Grower 20-7-19 at 100 ppm N alternating with Solution Grade Calcium Nitrate 15.5% at 100 ppm N. Fertilize about twice a week. Top prune the growing seedlings 2-3 times during the summer to end up with a height of 10-12 inches. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 8 weeks | ||
| Hardening Phase: | When days become shorter and nights cooler in mid-August, switch to Scotts Plant Finisher 4-25-35 at 24 ppm N. Fertilize every 3-7 days depending on the weather. Generally apply less water and fertilizer as it gets colder and wetter in the fall. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 3 months | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: |
By November, root plugs should be firm and leaves fallen off. We pull and pack seedlings into plastic bags, and store inside plastic totes in a cooler at 28-32 degrees F. SHIPPING: Each client can choose their spring ship date, generally between February and May. We ship by UPS and only on Mondays and Tuesdays each week so that plants arrive at their destination before the weekend. |
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| Length of Storage: | 3-6 months | ||
| References: |
Flora of the Pacific Northwest, Hitchcock and Cronquist, University of Washington Press, 7th printing, 1973. Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States, Agriculture Handbook No. 450, U.S.F.S., Washington D.C., 1974. |
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Citation:
Morrison, Susan J.. 2007. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Prunus americana Marsh. plants 20 cubic inch root plug; University of Idaho Pitkin Forest Nursery Moscow, Idaho. 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.
