(2) Reduced Transplanting Shock . Pot-grown trans- 

 plants suffer less root damage than plants dug from the field and are 

 able to resume growth quicker following transplanting. This extends 

 the planting season by giving the plants a longer period in which to 

 become established. 



Peat-pot seedlings also have certain drawbacks. These are: 



(1) Cost. No precise cost estimates are available 

 but, based on quoted prices and experience in producing and processing 

 plants, 15-week-old seedlings in 2-centimeter peat pots placed on the 

 planting site will cost at least four or five times as much as planting 

 stock from field nurseries. On small areas planting stock expense may 

 be insignificant but with extensive plantings this factor can become 

 quite large and will often limit project feasibility or project size. 



(2) Handling. Peat-pot seedlings are bulky and much 

 heavier than field or nursery transplants, are more difficult to trans- 

 port, and have more exacting transplanting requirements. 



Full cover of smooth cordgrass will develop in late winter or early 

 spring from plants spaced 1 meter or less, apart if they become well 

 enough established to stay in place over winter (Fig. 26) . The source 

 of plants (direct-seeded, field-grown plant, plug, or peat pot-grown) 

 does not change the outcome. Complete stands develop from widely spaced 

 plants through the proliferation of rhizomes during the fall and winter 

 followed by emergence of large numbers of stems from rhizomes in early 

 spring. The key point is that the plants become established and stay 

 in place over winter to form a complete stand. This can be accomplish- 

 ed on protected sites by direct seeding and, under mild to moderate 

 exposures, with field-grown planting stock, provided planting is early 

 enough for full establishment (spring for seed; spring or early summer 

 for transplants). In general, additional cost and effort associated 

 with peat -pot seedlings would probably be justified only for off-season 

 or late planting (summer or fall) or possibly on the more exposed, high- 

 energy sites. 



Rhizomes have been suggested as the logical choice for planting 

 this species. Rhizomes that are unattached to culms are useless as 

 propagules in the intertidal zone (Woodhouse, Seneca, and Broome, 1976). 



b. Saltmeadow Cordgrass . This grass is propagated vegetatively 

 and by seeds. It seeds profusely, often invades low, moist sites by 

 seed, and can be direct seeded on protected sites. However, trans- 

 planting is preferable on more exposed or steeply sloping areas that 

 may be subject to erosion. 



(1) Seeds . Saltmeadow cordgrass is a fairly consistent seed 

 producer. It grows on irregularly flooded and unflooded sites and the 



