Plant Distribution Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository - Corvallis

Greetings to our user community!

The NCGR-Corvallis is one of 28 facilities in the National Plant Germplasm System. Our main responsibility is the long term preservation of diverse genetic resources for several temperate fruit, nut and specialty crops. NCGR-Corvallis and the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System encourages the free international exchange of plant germplasm. Each year the NCGR-Corvallis distributes limited quantities of plant material freely for research purposes. We ask that information on plant evaluation be returned to us to enrich our database of information on the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

FAQs:

How much plant material does the Repository have?
What sorts of plant materials are available to requestors?
When are plants shipped?
Who receives plants from the Repository?
How much plant material will I receive?
When will I receive my request?
Do you supply rootstock for grafting?

Limited resources allow us to maintain only one or two foundation plants of each specific plant type (genotype or clone) in our collections. We also maintain seedlots to represent wild species of our assigned genera. Currently we have a little more than 10,000 unique plant and seed accessions. Unlike a commercial nursery, we do not have large amounts of stock on hand for any particular item on our inventory.

What sorts of plant materials are available to requestors?

Each year as the plants grow, limited quantities of clonal propagules such as cuttings, scionwood, crown divisions, or tissue cultures from our foundation plants are available to requestors. Seeds, tissue cultures, pollen, leaves, and other plant parts or forms can be requested for special experimental needs.

When are plants shipped?

Please see the Schedule of Plant Availability on our website (www.ars-grin.gov/cor).

Who receives plants from the Repository?

1. Our primary user group includes researchers who are performing experiments at public and private intstitutions. These clients are improving crops for the changing world of U.S. agriculture.
2. The second group includes private groups or individuals who can enrich the NPGS holdings of plants or information through exchange activities.
3. The third group includes individuals looking for specific plant materials that are not available through common commercial sources but may be available from our gene bank.

Sometimes requested genotypes may not be available to every requestor within a given year. For example, a strawberry plant may not produce sufficient runners to provide plants for every requestor. The Repository does NOT supply plant material for private use or commercial needs. In these cases the Repository refers the requestors to commercial nursery sources.

How much plant material will I receive?

The Repository usually provides limited quantities of seeds (25) for species requests and 2 to 5 scionwood sticks, cuttings, divisions, runners or tissue culture packets for clonal, i.e., vegetative requests. Requestors must be prepared to propagate the material. Cuttings will need to be rooted using standard propagation techniques such as mist-beds. Scionwood must be grafted onto rootstocks (not supplied by NCGR-Corvallis). Tissue cultures will need to be maintained in a humid environment and rooted prior to planting in soil.

When will I receive my request?

• Plant materials are provided seasonally according to how plant types are most easily propagated (see our Schedule of Plant Availability").
• Seed and tissue culture plants may be shipped at any time during the year. Not all plants are available as tissue cultures.
• Some seeds, pollen, leaves and other plant parts not part of our regular schedule can be specially requested. Contact the curator to arrange for specific requests.
  • Tree Fruits
    • Pears, quince, mountain ash, medlars, and other pome fruit relatives, are available as dormant scionwood or as August budwood. These plants do not root readily from cuttings and must be grafted onto rootstocks. The requestor grafts the scionwood onto rootstocks after receipt of the plant material.
    • Orders for dormant scionwood must be received at the Repository by December 1st. The dormant scionwood will be shipped in January thru March. Orders for August budwood must be received by August 1st, and will be shipped in August or early September.
  • Hazelnuts , Butternuts and Pawpaws
    • Available as dormant scionwood. Like tree fruits, dormant scionwood must be grafted onto a rootstock. Scionwood orders must be received by December 1st and are shipped in January.
    • Open pollinated seed of hazelnuts, butternuts and pawpaws are available by specific request for shipping in November. Seed requests must be received by September 1st. Hazelnut, butternut and pawpaw seed loses viability within 1 year of storage.
  • Strawberries
    • Strawberry plants are available as runners. These requests must be received by May 1st. Runners will be shipped as they are produced (June through August). Strawberries that fail to runner may be available as crown divisions. Crowns are divided and shipped in September. Orders not filled by runners or crowns will be cancelled. The requestor may re-order cancelled accessions at a later date.
  • Blueberries, Cranberries, Lingonberries and Blue Honeysuckle
    • Blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries and blue honeysuckle are available as winter cuttings. Requests must be received by December 1st. Cuttings are collected and shipped in January and February.
  • Raspberries
    • Raspberry crown divisions (root cuttings or "pips") are available in winter. Requests must be received by December 1st. "Pips" are shipped in February and March.
  • Blackberries
    • Blackberry plants are propagated by tip layers. Requests must be received by August 1st. Blackberry tips are layered in early fall to produce roots. The rooted plant can be shipped in the dormant season, generally in January.
  • Mint and Mountain Mint
    • Mint rhizomes can be requested at any time of the year. Mint rhizomes are collected and shipped in early spring and again in early fall. Mountain mint requests must be received by January 1st. Crown divisions of mountain mint are taken and shipped in February.
  • Currants and Gooseberries
    • Currant (red and black) and gooseberries are available as winter cuttings. Requests must be received by December 1st. Cuttings are shipped in January and February. Black currants are prohibited in some states due to White Pine Blister Rust. Before ordering black currants, please contact the department of agriculture within your state to see if they are prohibited in your location.
  • Hops
    • Hops are available as rhizome divisions in January and February. Requests must be received by December 1st.
  • Hardy Kiwi Fruit
    • Hardy kiwi fruit are available as winter cuttings. Requests must be received by December 1st. Cuttings are shipped in January and February.

Do you supply rootstock for grafting?

No. We send only dormant scionwood or August budwood. You will need to generate your own rootstock or purchase rootstock from a commercial source.

page last updated 13 October 2005