OK OK so this is probably the reverse of tree healthcare...

[Chris Gagen]

Any tips on the propagation of mistletoe...? I've many species available to try it on including the poplar, willow, lime, alder and of course the favourite, apple.

 

I understand it's best to squish the berries into the crotch of a branch.

 

Is height any advantage? Often see clumps very high up.

 

Perhaps the age of the host tree? Maybe a younger more virile host is preferred?Maybe even the younger/older growth has a bearing with rough bark or the thinner, slender current year's growth?

 

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

[scotspine1]

Only ever placed a rare species of mistletoe seeds in a tree once, was told by the garden manager of an Argyll Arboretum to place them in a shallow south facing branch union/cavity about 35ft up this large Oak, he also said to place moss over the top of them, kind of squash it down on the seeds.

 

Was it a success? I have no idea as I still haven't been back to check if the seeds grew, that was about 12 years ago. Your post has reminded me to check on the Oak next time I'm up that way, thanks. Thinking back it was more of a tight branch union than a cavity the seeds were placed in.

[PDGS]

Hi seeds can take up to four years to germinat so bear that in mind as they are propagated by birds you could hang some mistletoe around the garden out of the reach of children and let nature take it's course

[Ian Leach]

This might help ??

http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-propagate-and-grow-mistletoe.htm

[nepia]

I believe hawthorn is a favourite host.

 

Ian, your link leads to a page that does not exist!

 

Jon

[Wolfie]

Poplar, Apple, Lime are all good host species. Try squishing them on the underside of the branches as well as the branch unions. PDGS is right, It takes a long time for them to show and are very slow growing at first. Also the % of success is very low so squish lots of berries into branches all over the tree. I've also been told by a very knowledgable

mistletoe farmer that the best time to propogate is when the berries have turned translucent and you can see the germ inside - I think that this is about February time.