How can I grow some Mistletoe?

[Sally]

OK so mistletoe grows on fruit trees like a Simbiont, but I can I get some going in my garden. Has anyone got some to grow successfully, if so I would love to know how they did it.

Thanks

[kernowyon]

have not done it myself, but I can recall seeing on the telly someone just getting the seeds from the berrys and pushing them into cracks in the bark of trees to try to get them to grow. seemed succesful but rather hit and miss.

[lynda66]

i remember putting seeds, at the bottom of branches on our apple trees when a kid, ...... unfortunately, i don't remember if they grew or not lol

[burnie]

My Dad tried the above methods and his failed too,I think they have to pass thro' a birds digestive bits first!!

[Nicos]

It tends to grow in old trees from what I can see round here.
I think the seeds get into a crack in the bark and then the mistletoe makes the weak tree even weaker.
One of my apple trees has a small bunch growing- last summer it was about 6" diameter clump. 18 months later it's about15" diameter and pretty thick, but no berries.
I've never succeeded in growing it in a healthy tree back home-this one here must have been left by a bird.
Maybe pick out a damaged branch to try it out on????

[vegnut]

Ok i found this interesting bit of info while googling. It doesn't seem to be that simple and you need to be patient by the looks of things.
I hope this helps

Mistletoe - how to grow it

When?
Do not sow berries from Christmas mistletoe as they are generally harvested when immature, and so will not germinate. Instead wait until March or April to harvest berries, when they should be white, plump and fully ripe. Berries for propagation will need to be covered on the tree to avoid bird damage.

What berries to use
There are many different strains of mistletoe, each preferring a particular host or group of host plants. Apple (Malus) and lime (Tilia) seem the most popular. Try to obtain seed from a host plant similar to the one you want to sow into for the best changes of germination. Harvest intact berries only, as if the berry skin ruptures the contents hardens, hindering germination.

Where to place it on the tree
Select a branch 10cm (4in) or more in girth on a tree at least 15 years old. If possible sow in the crook of a higher branch so that sufficient light reaches the seedling as it grows.

Method
Make shallow cuts into the bark, remove the seed coats from the seeds, and insert them under the bark flaps. Cover the flaps with hessian to protect the seed from birds. Sow quite a few seeds as both male and female plants are needed for berry production, and germination can be poor (generally only about one in 10 seeds germinate and produce plants). Male and female plants can only be distinguished once they flower, which can take many years.

Aftercare
As the mistletoe develops the host branch begins to swell. Growth initially is slow, the plant taking five years to reach berrying-size. If only all male, or all female plants develop more seeds can be sown onto the mistletoe itself as it readily acts as its own parasite.

[wellie]

I sincerely apologise for not contributing intelligently to this thread, but the Mistletoe growing naturally from trees here in Gloucestershire is a truly wonderful sight. We must have some clever birds somewhere abouts.

Which got me thinking..... who's brave enough to put up a link to Pigletwillie's photo with that huge bunch of Mistletoe he 'half-inched' en France, where he's simply begging girls for A Christmas Kiss?! It MUST be that time of year again.... surely!
Me first, and form an orderly queue girls!
X

[pigletwillie]

you mean this one Wellie.

[Two_Sheds]

I've tried it, as per above instructions by Vegnut = it didn't work.

[Flummery]

PW - looks like one of those fertility gods (or is it futility? )

The secret seems to be that you need mistletoe from an apple tree to put on YOUR apple tree. With bought mistletoe, you never know where it came from.

[smallblueplanet]

PW - looks like one of those fertility gods...

Well given the size of his onions, that could well be true Flum!

We bring back a huge bunch of mistletoe from the OH's rellies in Kent, every year - the neighbours have a share too. I don't think its the easiest thing to propagate.

[bobleponge]

If anyone wants me to take cuttings including berries and send them, I will happily do so. One of my apple trees has a massive clump in.
I was always led to believe that it only grew in old trees but the tree in question probably isnt more than 10 years old.
PM me if you want some, it will still be there when I get home in late December.

[mbronco27_03]

A neighbour to my parents whos been a professional gardener for about 60years, yes hes nearly 80, and in very good health, must be all that fresh air he gets!!
Anyway talking to him about Mistletoe, he just said get some berries in your hand, and rub them against the bark, so the juice and the seed with get into the bark, and from there it will grow, not sure if it works, but hes got quite abit growing, so i assume it must!!!

Hope that helps, might be worth a try!!

[Mcbee]

i saw this on a Nature programme once!

Apparently when the berries are eaten by birds they pass through the digestive system. However even after enduring that the seeds (that were in the berry) retain a sticky residue around them. When the birds come to do what birds do (especially seagulls!) they find it quite difficult to "pass" the seed as it sticks to their bum. The only way that they can get rid of the seed is to actually drag their bum across a rough surface, like bark, to dislodge it. The end result is that the seed is then left on the tree, rather than being dumped with the rest of bird droppings, which can land anywhere.

I think thats all really clever. After all mistletoe is a parasite so by developing the sticky seed parcel it has increased its chance of being deposited on its host plant.

Miracles of nature

[kitchengardner]

getting your berries

If anyone wants me to take cuttings including berries and send them, I will happily do so. One of my apple trees has a massive clump in.
I was always led to believe that it only grew in old trees but the tree in question probably isnt more than 10 years old.
PM me if you want some, it will still be there when I get home in late December.

Just a quick word of warning whilst it is ok to take berries or cut mistletoe from a tree on private land with the owner's permission, it is illegal to take either from public land and the penalty is £2000!

As several others have already highlighted you need to get the right strain for the right host. However the seeds don't need to go through a birds gut to work, you can get the same effect by soaking a mature berry in vinegar for about half an hour.

Regards

Kitchen Gardener