The spring of 2011 has been good for my Sea Buckthorn experiment! I added 3 new varieties, set out the seedlings started from Chinese origin seed, had positive results from the second year purchased plants and begun a softwood cutting propagation experiment.
The plants which were purchased and planted last year were severely damaged by the winter moth caterpillar. This was a surprise to me and unexpected, resulting in the high level of damage. Armed with that knowledge and some excellent advice from readers, I have been able to eliminate these caterpillars utilizing Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). In addition, I have a bird house and feeders within a few feet of the area and am hoping the chickadee hatchings are being fed well.
Summary of current status
The plants which were purchased and planted last year were severely damaged by the winter moth caterpillar. This was a surprise to me and unexpected, resulting in the high level of damage. Armed with that knowledge and some excellent advice from readers, I have been able to eliminate these caterpillars utilizing Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). In addition, I have a bird house and feeders within a few feet of the area and am hoping the chickadee hatchings are being fed well.
Summary of current status
- Purchase plants from 2011 - 6 out of 8 plants survival - 75%
- one male plant and Golden Sweet died (still holding out a bit of hope for the Golden Sweet)
- 2010 Seedlings from 2010 - 3 out of 400 survival - less than 1%
- This was a miserable result- Most died during a severe hot dry spell while I was away from home. Water is critical. Winter die off was about 50% of those surviving plants (they must have super genes!)
- Additions to purchased plant varieties are "Garden's Gift", "Klim's Prize", and "Amber Dawn".
- Seedlings have been set out much earlier (after hardening off) and a second batch started indoors in April.
CLICK on Photos to enlarge
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| GARDEN'S GIFT SEA BUCKTHORN |
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| AMBER DAWN SEABUCKTHORN |
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| FRUGANA SEABUCKTHORN |
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| GARDEN'S GIFT SEABUCKTHORN |
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| GOLDEN SWEET SEABUCKTHORN (DEAD) |
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| KLIM'S PRIZE SEA BUCKTHORN |
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| LEIKORA SEABUCKTHORN |
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| MALE SEABUCKTHORN |
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| ORANGE DELIGHT SEABUCKTHORN |
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| ORANGE ENERGY SEABUCKTHORN |
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| 2ND YEAR SEABUCKTHORN SEEDLING |
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| APRIL 2011 SEEDLINGS |
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| 2010 2ND YEAR SEEDLING |
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| 2011 JANUARY START SEEDLING TRANSPLANTED |
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| 2011 JANUARY START SEEDLING TRANSPLANTED |
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| TITAN SEABUCKTHORN |
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| UNSEXED PURCHASED SEABUCKTHORN |
Hi Tom.
ReplyDeleteI'm growing a virtually thornless variety called Harvest Moon which I acquired from a company whose principals have since retired. It was released by Prairie Fruit Growers Association Shelterbelt programme in 2000. My plants are only beginning their second full year. Apparently, seabuckthorn suckers so I may have some swap material if you are interested.
Regards.
Mike
HI There Mike, Melissa here from Teal Farm in Vermont, and from Vermont Seaberry Company! I would love to trade or purchase some Harvest Moon from you if you're willing. We currently prune our thorns for hand harvest, but I would love to try the berries from HM and see what happens here on our site. Thanks! Melissa
DeleteHi Mike,
ReplyDeleteYes, I would like to swap some material. I would guess the cuttings are too young and tender right now. Is that right?
Your seabuckthorn garden looks great.
ReplyDeleteI bought 2 plants this spring (male & female) from nursery in Oregon. Had it shipped to California. The bareroot male started to have small leaf buds, then all of sudden they fell off. So I'm down to one plant. Not sure if I want to try planting the male again.
How would you propogate by cuttings? If you could elaborate on that it would be helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for the comment. I am just getting back into being able to type with some level of comfort after an injury in late May. The next post will be all about propagation. Thanks for suggesting a topic. - -Tom
ReplyDeleteHi Tom,
ReplyDeleteI just saw your response. I didn't realize that your RRS feed is for posts only and doesn't include comments.
Sending cuttings, unless the plant is dormant, through the mail, in my experience, leads to low-to-nil success no matter how well you package the cuttings. The shock is just too great.
My plants have not put out any suckers this year. I think they're probably too young but I will be trying hardwood cuttings this winter using a bottom-heated cold frame that I built.
If I'm successful, you're more than welcome to a rooted male and female pair.
Mike