BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe

Subject: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 04:06 PM

Here in the UK I've noticed more mistletoe growing thicker in the trees than ever before. Was it not harvested for Christmas? It seems to be everywhere and not only on fruit trees. Looking it up on google I found this interesting page and this one too which is facinating

How does your mistletoe grow?

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 04:21 PM

The growth of organic farming and cleaner air has resulted in less mistletoe being killed off.

It is a bit fussy about what tree it grows in, I've seen it in apple, oak, and birch.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 04:38 PM

I've heard that any berries that came on Northern French mistletoe, which the birds have found on imported plants, is the bush seen on trees other than fruit. I think it was on Gardeners' Questiontime.

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 05:27 PM

I think that oak is the only tree that I've ever seen it grow on. In southeastern Alaska, where we have no oak trees, I've never seen it at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 06:17 PM

Broadleaf Mistletoe is fairly easy to start on apple trees. Rub the berries on a branch (not an old one that has thick bark), where it will get sun. It takes up to five years to get a plant that will bear the berries. Both male and female plants (bear the berries) are needed. Protect from birds and woodlice.
Grows in temperate climates.

Old apple orchards in UK are a primary source in Europe. In the U. S., a variety of trees may become infected. It becomes dangerous to the plant if infection becomes heavy, since it is a parasite, taking food and water from the plant.

Ideas on its growth, etc., with lists of susceptible and resistant trees here: Mistletoe

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 09:16 PM

Mistletoe guidelines, Univ. California at Davis. That link should have worked??.
www.jpm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7437.html

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: theleveller
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 03:19 AM

I'm going to have a go at growing it on some of the apple trees in the orchard I planted. The idea that I grew the trees and grew the mistletoe would be a great feeling - like I'd grown my own sacred grove (the spirits have already taken up residence).

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 11:10 AM

Just thought I've bring this around again, bit like Christmas!

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 12:13 PM

Snow on the ground, we may get more, wind chill at -20C, overcast, roads icy, and miserabobble!
Bit like Christmas? Aaaargh!

Hmmm, a hot buttered rum (or two) may help.

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: ClaireBear
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 01:22 PM

I found some mistletoe growing in our pomegranate tree once, much to my surprise.

Hmmm, Persephone and the mistletoe -- surely that deservies its own myth?

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 07:58 AM

Tried, without success, to grow some on my apple trees a few years ago from some berries from plants which had been cut down in Dublin Botanical Gardens (it is not native to Eire for some strange reason, I would have thought the birds would have brought it over!). How do you protect it from birds?

Subject: RE: BS: Druid's Joy or Mistletoe
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 08:26 PM

refresh