Mistletoes grow mysteriously in the crowns of various tree species. The semi-parasites, which resemble huge bird's nests, can reach a diameter of up to one meter and are ensured by various birds. Mistletoe can also be easily propagated yourself.
How do you propagate mistletoe?
Mistletoe reproduces through birds, which release their sticky seeds on tree bark. The best host trees for propagation are apple trees, hornbeams, alders, poplars and lindens. The mistletoe grows slowly and only blooms after 6-7 years.
How does reproduction work in nature?
Some birds eat the mostly white berries of mistletoe and excrete the indigestible seeds after a short time. The mistle thrush is particularly worth mentioning here. Other birds, like blackcaps, eat only the pulp and strip the sticky seeds from their beaks. This way they stay sitting directly on the tree.
Once the seeds stick to the tree, the embryos they contain can germinate. First, suction strands form, later primary and sinking roots, which grow through the bark into the tree up to the tree's ducts. Only then does the mistletoe begin to grow outwards. However, it will take several years before it reaches a respectable size and shows the first flowers.
Which trees are best for propagation?
The three subspecies of mistletoe each have special host trees, as can be seen from the names of the species: fir mistletoe, pine or pine mistletoe and hardwood mistletoe. Hardwood mistletoe likes to grow on apple trees, linden trees, hornbeams, poplars, alders and birches.
Mistletoe can live up to 70 years and reach a diameter of around one meter. After about 30 years, the branches, which are considered poisonous, have a length of about 50 centimeters. Next time you cut a mistletoe, remember this.
The most important things in brief:
- Breeding relatively easy
- grows slowly, about one shoot per year
- lives up to 70 years
- first flowering only after several years (6 to 7)
- not all trees suitable for propagation
- “good” host trees: apple tree, hornbeam, alder, poplar, linden
- slows the growth and reduces the harvest of the host trees
Tip
As a rule, the host trees do not die from mistletoe. However, if the infestation is very severe, the damage can be so severe that the host dies.
