Transplantation and preliminary vegetative propagation studies of selected Chihuahuan Desert shrubs

Abstract

A survey of the literature indicated an increased interest in native arid-land shrubs as potential ornamentals and for other uses. Five Chihuahuan Desert shrubs were selected for study: Artemisia filifolia Torr. (Compositae), Ericameria laricifolia (Gray) Shinners (Composita), Fallugia paradoxa (D. Don) Endl. (Rosaceae), Larrea divaricate Cav. (Zygophyllaceae), and Lycium Torreyi Gray (Solanaceae). The biology of these shrubs was reviewed to ascertain their ornamental potential. The effect of season, root puning, and transpiration reduction techniques on the percent survival and rank of A. filifolia and L. divaricate transplanted from a native habitat was studied. Thirty-six mature plants of each species were transplanted into containers in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. Eighteen plants of each species were root pruned 3 months prior to transplanting. Six of the 18 root-pruned plants and 6 of the 18 not root-pruned plants were sprayed with a film-type antitranspirant prior to digging, 6 plants of each group were foliar pruned, and 6 plants of each group were foliar pruned then sprayed with the antitranspirant. The rocky habitat of F. paradoxa and the erratic growth of the rhizome prevented prior root pruning of this shrub. Eighteen plants were transplanted during each season. Foliar treatments were as described above. The plants were bare-root planted into containers in the field with native soil, irrigated immediately, and placed under shade for 3 months then in full sun for 3 months. Six months after transplanting the percent survival was calculated and the shrubs ranked by a scale which estimated the maintenance of original terminal shoots. Season has no effect on the survival of transplanted A. filifolia. Survival was increased in summer transplanted F. paradoxa over spring transplants with fall and winter intermediate. Transplanting L. divaricata in spring, summer, and fall was more successful than in winter..