Penstemon (palmeri)
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Melissa Landeen GBRC Project Leader Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Great Basin Research Center 494 W 100 N Ephraim, Utah 84627 435-283-4441 435-283-2034 (fax) mlandeen@utah.gov |
| Family Scientific Name: | Scrophulariaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Figwort family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Penstemon palmeri A. Gray | ||
| Common Name: | Palmer’s penstemon, Palmer’s beardtongue | ||
| Species Code: | PEPA8 | ||
| General Distribution: | Broadly distributed throughout the western United States in blackbrush, sagebrush, Joshua tree, pinyon-juniper, and ponderosa pine communities. Found at elevations between 2,600 and 8,200 feet. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | Plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | “Q Plug 30/50” Plug dimensions: 1.39” top x 2.2” deep. (International Horticultural Technologies, LLC. Hollister CA. www.ihort.com) | ||
| Time To Grow: | Approx. 3 months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Plugs that can be mechanically transplanted. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Multiple individual sources were collected from a single provisional seeds zone (psz). Ripened seed stalks from wild populations were hand-harvested between 1999 and 2013 using a sickle. Seed stalks were stored in polypropylene sandbags at room temperature until cleaned. | ||
| Propagule Processing: |
Dried seed stalks were first run through a debearder to singulate the seed, then through an Office Clipper (Top screen = 6 round, Bottom screen = 6x30 or 6x32 wire mesh, air = low.) The seed was passed over the Office Clipper again as needed (Top screen = 1/13 round, Bottom screen = 6x30 wire mesh, Air=low). Final cleaning was accomplished with a fractionating aspirator. (note: A dust collection system and/or dust mask is recommended while cleaning seed using the debearder or clipper, as dust from these plants has an extremely unpleasant taste when it gets into the nose and/or mouth.) |
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| Pre-Planting Treatments: |
GA3 TREATMENT We treated seeds with a solution of 250 ppm Gibberellic Acid (GA3) for 24 hours prior to planting to break dormancy by placing seeds on a paper towel saturated with GA3 solution in a ziplock bag. Seeds were planted immediately following treatment. COLD STRATIFICATION TREATMENT Beaver Plastics Hortiblock trays (128 cells/42 ml) with Q-plugs were planted, moistened, wrapped in plastic bags to prevent desiccation, and placed in a cold room to stratify at 2 C [36 F] for 10 to 12 weeks. |
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| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
We pressed each Q-plug into the cell of a Hortiblock tray until the surface of the plug was approximately 0.25 inches below the tray surface. We moistened the plugs prior to planting. We placed 1 to 3 seeds (depending on available quantity) on the surface of each q-plug and covered each plug with 0.25 inches of a mixture of sand (2 parts) and peat moss (1 part). |
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| Establishment Phase: |
GA3 TREATMENT We placed planted trays in the greenhouse immediately following planting. Seeds were watered daily throughout the establishment phase. The majority of germination took place within 1 week. If multiple seedlings per plug emerged, we thinned plugs until only one plant remained to prevent crowding. Our attempts to transplant uprooted seedlings to vacant plugs were unsuccessful. COLD STRATIFICATION TREATMENT We moved trays to the greenhouse following 12 weeks of stratification in the cold room. Some plugs showed signs of seedling emergence; however, most germination did not occur until trays were placed in the greenhouse. The majority of germination took place within 1 week. If multiple seedlings per plug emerged, we thinned plugs until only one plant remained to prevent crowding. Our attempts to transplant uprooted seedlings to vacant plugs were unsuccessful. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | Approx. 2 weeks following placement in the greenhouse. | ||
| Active Growth Phase: |
Plants were watered daily so that plugs remained moist but not saturated. We maintained greenhouse temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees F, with a 12-hour light/dark cycle. Fertilizer (All Purpose Water Soluble MiracleGro®) was applied to plants biweekly. |
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| Length of Active Growth Phase: | Approx. 2 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | We timed our out-planting to follow the last typical frost date at our research farm, which is generally the week after Mother’s Day. Because we plant post frost-risk and use irrigation following outplanting our hardening process is abbreviated. At 2” tall, and with their second set of true leaves, plants are moved to a lath house for 2 weeks and watered as needed, which is generally daily. These small plugs dry quickly if not watered regularly. If frost is forecast, they are returned to the greenhouse until the frost has passed. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 2 to 4 weeks | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | Plugs are saturated with water prior to shipping. We ship plants in the Hortiblock trays to the transplant site and remove plants as they are placed on the transplanter. A dowel or small finger is helpful to push plants out of the trays. | ||
| Outplanting performance on typical sites: | The mechanical transplanter adds water to each plant and is adjusted to seat the plug just below the soil surface while leaving most of the top exposed. Transplants are irrigated with aboveground sprinkler irrigation for 2 weeks post-planting, followed by intermittent subsurface irrigation for the remainder of the first growing season. With this regime, we see very little mortality. | ||
| References: | Ogle, D., Peterson, S., St. John, L. 2013. Plant Guide for Palmer’s penstemon (Penstemon palmeri). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center. Aberdeen, Idaho 83210. | ||
Citation:
Landeen, Melissa. 2024. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Penstemon palmeri A. Gray Plants “Q Plug 30/50” Plug dimensions: 1.39” top x 2.2” deep. (International Horticultural Technologies, LLC. Hollister CA. www.ihort.com); Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Great Basin Research Center Ephraim, Utah. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/25). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
