Penstemon (pachyphyllus)
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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 pachyphyllus A. Gray ex Rydb. var. congestus (M.E. Jones) N.H. Holmgren | ||
| Common Name: | thickleaf penstemon, thickleaf beardtongue | ||
| Species Code: | PEPA6 | ||
| Ecotype: | Numerous Great Basin populations across the species elevational distribution. | ||
| General Distribution: | This species occurs throughout the Great Basin region between 1100 to 2775 meters in elevation. It is usually found growing in well-drained gravelly or sandy soils. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | Seeds | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 5 years. Seed harvest begins in year 2. | ||
| Target Specifications: | 5 lbs. of pure live seed per source population | ||
| Propagule Collection: |
Ripened seed stalks from wild populations were hand harvested between mid-July and mid-August using a sickle. Seed stalks were stored in polypropylene sandbags at room temperature until cleaned. |
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| Propagule Processing: | Dried seed stalks were first run through a debearder to singulate the seed, then through an Office Clipper (Top screen = 8 round, Bottom screen = 4x24 wire mesh, Air=low). If needed, seed was screened using an 8/64” Triangle Commercial Sieve. Final cleaning was accomplished with a fractionating aspirator. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Populations expressed variable physiological dormancy, overcome with cold stratification. Fall planting typically results in good stands the following spring with some additional germination the second spring. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Our growing area preparation included creating a uniform seedbed, weed control and fertilization. Our production system utilized 5 ft wide 85 feet long nursery beds centered over 2 rows of buried drip tape. We began by tilling and shaping the bed with a nursery bed maker in the fall or spring one year prior to planting. Weeds that emerge on these beds were controlled early in their growth by spot spraying with Glyphosate (41% a.i.). During the hottest 6 weeks of the summer prior to planting, moistened beds were solarized with a tight covering of 2-mil clear plastic sheeting installed with a mulch layer. Fertilizer was surface broadcast prior to planting, with additional fertilizer applied as needed in the fall of each growing season. | ||
| Establishment Phase: |
PLUGS We mechanically transplanted plugs to beds (5 ft x 85 ft) at the UDWR Research Farm in Fountain Green, Utah using a Mechanical Transplanter Model 5000, configured to plant in 3 rows spaced 22 inches apart, with 6” spacing between plants. Transplanted seedlings were surface irrigated using lawn sprinklers immediately following transplanting and periodically throughout the first two weeks (depending on temperatures and precipitation) to ensure establishment. DIRECT SEEDING Beds were planted in the fall. We used a Hege precision cone type seeder to plant seeds in three 85-ft-long rows at a target rate of 50 seeds per foot and a depth of 0.25 inches. Once planted, we covered beds with Dewitt’s 1.5 oz NSulate Fabric using a mulch layer. Fabric remained on the beds throughout the winter. We removed it in the spring when temperatures began to warm and there was minimal risk of freezing. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | 1 year to establish, 2 years to begin producing seed. | ||
| Active Growth Phase: |
Weeds and volunteer seedlings were removed from beds weekly using manual labor. Once plants were established (beginning in their second year) we used a mechanical “Eco-Weeder” to remove many weeds at the beginning of the growing season; however, this method only worked in the spring while the soil was soft and plants are relatively small. We watered plants as needed throughout the growing season using subsurface irrigation drip tape placed approximately 8-10 inches below the surface. Fertilizer was surface broadcast each fall. Peak bloom was in early June. Flowering begins at the bottom of the inflorescence stalk and progresses toward the tip. Likewise, seed capsules on the lower section of the inflorescence stalk cure and split open earlier than those at the stalk tip. Seed is retained fairly well inside the open capsules as long as they are not excessively jostled (i.e. wind, rain, pedestrian traffic, etc.). For maximum seed production, we delayed harvest until the majority of the capsules at the top of the stalks were dry and splitting open. Harvest timing varied by year and by source, but usually occurred in late July or early August. |
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| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: |
Seed was harvested mechanically using a Wintersteiger Plot Combine. Combine settings: cylinder speed 1270 rpm. Shaker air speed 1480 rpm (we start with the air as high as possible and turn down until no good seed is being blown out the back). 3 de-awner bars. Concave settings: Front=4, Back=0, Sieve height=medium. Harvested material was dried thoroughly on a concrete floor for several days, before being cleaned to a high purity. |
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| Other Comments: | The objective of this research was to increase small wildland collections to quantities capable of sowing commercial production fields. | ||
| References: |
Kucera, K. F., Fant, J. B., Jensen, S., Landeen, M., Orr, E., and Kramer, A. T. 2021. Genetic variation and structure change when producing and using mixed‐source seed lots for restoration. Restoration Ecology, e13521. Ogle, D., Peterson, S., St. John, L. 2013. Plant Guide for thickleaf penstemon (Penstemon pachyphyllus). USDANatural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center. Aberdeen, Idaho 83210. |
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Citation:
Landeen, Melissa; Jensen, Scott L. 2022. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) Penstemon pachyphyllus A. Gray ex Rydb. Seeds Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Great Basin Research Center Ephraim, Utah. 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.
