survival of plants transplanted in the summer was higher than those 

 planted in winter. They considered fall the least desirable time to 

 transplant panicum because transplants remained dormant over winter and 

 did not resume growth until late spring. In the meantime, the planting 

 was exposed to the hazards of winter weather — blowout, burial, and salt- 

 water inundation. They concluded that as long as environmental condi- 

 tions (principally moisture) were favorable, the best planting time for 

 bitter panicum is in late winter or early summer. Experience along the 

 South Atlantic coast agrees with this conclusion except a later (March) 

 starting date is necessary in the northern half of the region. 



4 Planting Stock . Two distinct types of bitter pani- 

 cum stems (primary stems and tillers) are available in the fall and again 

 in the spring and early summer. Primary stems represent mature growth 

 from the previous year which has flowered and is generally dry and brittle. 

 Such stems may be 1 meter or more in length and most of the lower leaves 

 are dead with the terminal leaves still green. These are preferred for 

 transplanting in fall and early spring. Tillers are young, growing suc- 

 culent stems with green leaves and are usually smaller than primary stems 

 (Fig. 26). Actively growing tillers are the best planting stock in late 

 spring and summer when they become established and grow quickly. Conse- 

 quently, planting stock should be according to the season. 



Size of primary stems is important in selecting planting stock. Dahl, 

 et al. (1975) obtained higher survival, threefold to tenfold, from large 

 stems (60 centimeters long), as compared with small primary stems (30 

 centimeters long) . Small primary stems are usually found in old, crowded, 

 or starved stands; their poor performance is probably due to their limited 

 reserves of stored food. Use of crowded nursery plants is not economical 

 as it requires a high density planting to make up the higher mortality. 



In upright planting, stems longer than 50 to 60 centimeters should 

 not be used although primary stems from vigorous nursery stock are often 

 1 meter or more long. Long stems may be divided into two or more pieces 

 for planting with little difference in survival between top and bottom 

 segments (Dahl, et al. 1975). Consequently, where large primary stems 

 are harvested, dividing them will double the number of usable transplants 

 without reducing survival, and will decrease the cost. 



— Spacing . The spacing and planting pattern for bitter 

 panicum is the same as outlined for American beachgrass. Excessively wide 

 spacing invites failure; dense spacing is wasteful. The planting pattern 

 should take into account the site and the objectives. In the more south- 

 erly part of this region, a planting of bitter panicum, 15 meters wide 

 and 45 to 60 centimeters on centers, will effectively stop movement of 

 windblown sand across the strip by the end of the first growing season. 

 This spacing should also be used where a dense spacing is needed as on 

 blowouts, diseased spots, or large bare dunes. However, a graduated 

 pattern such as described for American beachgrass will build a better 

 foredune at a lower cost. 



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