Holiday Use
Mistletoe has been associated with winter decorating and rituals since recorded time , particularly prominent in Norse mythology and Celtic ceremonies . It ’ s green leaves and white berries in winter quickly came to symbolize life , fertility , and vitality during a dormant time of year . Its festooning , foliage-full branches give the appearance that its host tree is still in full leaf during the winter . The origins of kissing under the mistletoe are not fully known , but many believe that bad luck will ensue for any who do not respect the custom . Some variations include plucking a berry every time a couple kisses beneath it , rendering it needless to kiss beneath it once there are no more berries .
Growing
Mistletoe is most often “ seeded ” by bird droppings . While it can grow on a wide range of trees , it prefers the bark of trees in the Rosaceae family , which includes fruit trees like apples , pears , and cherries , as well as the mountain ash and hawthorne . The most viable berries collected for propagation purposes are those collected in late January through February . Competition with birds for these seeds can be fierce . To ensure there are enough berries for propagation , it as advisable to cover mistletoe shrubs with netting to prevent theft by winged bandits . Saving the berries from mistletoe used for holiday decoration may prove disappointing , as they will likely be dried out by the time early spring arrives . It can be done , though , if the berries are plucked when still fresh and stored in a moist , light area until you are ready to germinate them . February through March is the best time to sow mistletoe . When you are ready to germinate the seeds , squeeze the berries to remove them from the drupe . Their viscin will make the seeds stick to your hand , which makes it easy to keep track of them . Select a young branch or branches less than one inch in diameter , and stick the seeds directly to the underside , about one to two inches apart . The reason to select younger branches is because the bark is thinner and easier for the mistletoe to penetrate . An alternate method is to make an incision in the bark and insert the seed within . This can compromise the health of the host tree and is the main reason why most propagators do not choose this method . Mistletoe is not usually cultivated indoors — its mature , harvestable size is not conducive to most indoor spaces .
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February through March is the best time to sow mistletoe . When you are ready to germinate the seeds , squeeze the berries to remove them from the drupe .
Viable seeds will begin to germinate in April and May . Do not expect leaps and bounds . There will be hints of green , with the first tiny cotyledon leaves making an appearance . These can be difficult to detect , so try to mark the branch or branches where they have been seeded . In the second year of growth , be content if they are still green . They are busy developing their roots and are not putting out much to show . The young seedlings may only grow about a quarter to half an inch and may not even be this tall until the third year , the time in which the seedling will develop its first set of true leaves . Be patient . In year four , things start to take off and grow exponentially . Every branch will in turn create another branch , so things essentially double in size every subsequent year . Mistletoe takes a long time to establish , but once it has matured , it is hard to stop it from flourishing so long as it is embedded into a healthy tree and can continue to nourish itself from it .
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Due to its predatory nature , mistletoe will thrive at the expense of another tree ’ s potential productivity and vitality . In order to maintain a healthy stand of mistletoe , it is necessary to maintain the health of the host tree or shrub as well . Only female mistletoe plants will produce berries . Male mistletoe plants will flower , though . It is necessary to sow numerous seeds to ensure there is a female plant among your seedlings to produce berries .
Commercial Potential
The main drawback to producing mistletoe for the retail or wholesale markets is the length of time it takes to grow from seed to harvest . At five years or more , it is not a quickly turned around crop . However , once established , a single plant can produce harvestable sprigs and berries for many years . Single sprigs with berries could easily fetch up to $ 10 each if properly packaged and presented . Selling bulk mistletoe could be profitable as well , yielding up to $ 20 per pound in some markets . Annual seeding of mistletoe is advisable to ensure a constant supply . Once an established plant is producing seeds , there is no need to purchase any again . On a final note , the leaves and berries of mistletoe are toxic . This is especially important for potential customers who are parents and pet owners to know before buying real mistletoe . For these folks , artificial mistletoe may be best .
Chris Bond is the manager of the McKay Farm and Research Station at Unity College in Maine . His research interests are with sustainable agriculture , biological pest control , and alternative growing methods . He is a certified permaculture designer and nursery technician in Ohio and a certified nursery professional in New York .
Maximum Yield USA | December 2016 149