Meadowview Biological Research Station
www.pitcherplant.org

8390 Fredericksburg Turnpike
Woodford, VA 22580
Phone (804) 633-4336
meadowview@pitcherplant.org

Collection, Germination, And Propagation Of Virginia Longleaf Pine

Philip Sheridan^1&2, Nancy Penick¹, Anne Simpson¹, and Peter Watkinson¹

¹Meadowview Biological Research Station, Woodford, VA

²Blackwater Ecologic Preserve, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

ABSTRACT

A stand of longleaf pine along the Blackwater River in Suffolk City, Virginia was visited November 3-14, 1997 and mature cones gathered. Two thousand six hundred fourteen seeds were obtained from 121 cones with an average yield of 21 seeds per cone. One thousand seven hundred forty eight seeds were used in an experiment to determine whether hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treated seeds would germinate at a significantly greater rate than controls.

Seeds were sown on sand/peat beds in a greenhouse during mid-December and covered to a depth of 1/4 inch with soil. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained above freezing at night and daytime temperatures averaged 24°C. Germination commenced within one week and by the end of January there was no significant difference in germination (mean 52%) between the controls and hydrogen peroxide treated seeds.

OBJECTIVES

- Develop protocol for raising Virginia longleaf pine seedlings within the northern part of the species range for reforestation and restoration

- Determine whether H₂O₂ treated seeds have a greater germination rate than controls

MATERIALS AND METHODS

- Cones collected from wild using extension pole

- Cones dried (n=121), seeds extracted (n=2618), and refrigerated

Longleaf cones drying prior to seed extraction. (graphic)

- Treated seeds (n=713) soaked in 1% H₂O₂ for 1 hour, control seeds (n=1035)

- Seeds sown in peat/sand beds in greenhouse

Nancy Penick sowing seeds in greenhouse. (graphic)

RESULTS

- No difference in germination rate between treated and untreated seeds

- Overall germination rate averaged 52%

Longleaf pine seedlings after spring removal from greenhouse. (graphic)

CONCLUSION

- Longleaf pine seed can be successfully germinated and grown in a greenhouse over the winter in Virginia

- No H₂O₂ treatment needed for successful germination

- Suggest earlier harvest of cones to improve yield

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Bill Greenwald of Union Camp Corporation for permission to access their property for cone collection and Meadowview sponsors for financial support.