Mistletoe

Look at Xela's photo at the bottom of this page under 'related photos'. She says it's very slow growing - so it could well be biding its time! Good luck with it.

I might have a go this year on our old apple tree.... why not?

Thanks Spritz , I,ve had a look at Xela,s ..it does seem to take a long time to grow , mine are so tiny hardly half an inch, they just seem to have stopped like that for months .
Oh well , we will have to be patient wiat and see !

I reckon so, Amy. Why not send Xela a PM and ask her how hers are getting on?

Many thanks for your PM, Amy.
Patience seems to be an invaluable quality to have if you are growing Mistletoe, it does appear to grow very slowly in the early stages but I suspect it is developing a support system within the tree. I haven't tried to establish a new plant, mine came with the garden, but I understand that it is the toughest part of growing mistletoe so give yourself a pat on the back, Amy.
All being well, each year two new spurs will grow on existing ones, so within the next twelve months I would expect your Mistletoe to treble in size. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures of it when that happens. Meanwhile, take a look at the information in the 'plant details' associated with my Mistletoe photo, not sure if you will have to go to it via my 'Garden' page.

From a booklet I have called 'Growing Your Own Mistletoe"
During the summer months in the second season, the interface between the mistletoe and the host tree is formed, enabling the first pair of leaves to develop.
The start of the third growing season heralds the end of the long initial wait. New leaves appear and are extended on shoots which become increasingly resistant to attack from pests.
Growth accelerates in the fourth year and, in the autumn, flower buds will appear. Buds shaped like a blunt chisel are males; smaller pointed ones are females. You only need one male plant to fertilise several females for the berries.
The flowers open in February of the fifth season and, if pollinated, berries will start to form around mid-April.
It is also suggested that if you want to establish mistletoe on an apple for example, you get berries from a plant already growing on an apple - like host to like potential host offers a better chance of success.
For a supplier, check the website www.mistletoe.co.uk

Thanks, Andrew - that will be a great help if I do 'have a go'.

Thanks Xela and Andrew for all that info.
Mine is obviously in it,s early days , something should surely happen soon .
I have two at this stage I suppose I should hope that one is male and one female .
I will let you know of any progress in the future !

You're very welcome, Amy. Do please keep us posted on progress.
Many thanks from me too, Andrew. The information you have given here is very interesting. When I researched growing mistletoe on the internet information was rather lean.
I must keep a keen eye on my mistletoe, this autumn I have pruned the apple tree more heavily than usual in an attempt to control canker. The tree is quite badly affected and I am hoping to progressivelyly prune out the affected branches while balancing this with new growth. The tree is probably not worth saving but I do not want to lose the mistletoe.

Hi Amy, I fancy a go at growing some mistletoe. May I ask a couple of questions - how did you obtain the berry and did you set it around April? Is it best to use an old apple tree as a host. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks, Dawn