Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Mrs Bee on February 20, 2015, 09:52

Title: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: Mrs Bee on February 20, 2015, 09:52

Noticed these icicle type, transparent sticky things hanging from the apple tree this morning and am perplexed
as to what they are. Have never seen them before.

Any ideas?

I am worried it might be a disease.

Mr Bee wondered if they might be mistletoe berries that birds have squished on the branches and have dropped off to make these icicle like things but I haven't noticed these in past years.

Title: Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: Annen on February 20, 2015, 10:17

They would make lovely Christmas tree decorations! Have you opened one to see if there is anything inside?

Title: Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: Mrs Bee on February 20, 2015, 10:27

 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I actually have lots of  glass icicles for exactly that.

No I haven't thought to see if anything is inside. I will go and do that now!

I should have thought of that, but to be fair I was still half asleep and hadn't had my first cup of coffee. :blush: :D

Title: Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: mumofstig on February 20, 2015, 10:28

If the tree has small injuries they can leak sap droplets, which would be sticky.

Title: Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: Mrs Bee on February 20, 2015, 10:41

Thanks Mum. That was what I was worried about.

I have just come back from the tree, and this time I took my glasses with me. :blush: and had a squeeze of the droplets.

It would seem that they are mistletoe berries. Thanks Annen.

I have never seen them do this before.  I have wiped them off as I have enough bushes on my tree.  Must cover the bushes so the birds can't get any more of the berries before I post them off.

Now that I know it isn't a disease, I am happy and can appreciate the beauty of them.

Title: Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: Annen on February 20, 2015, 12:14

Interesting! :) :) :)

Title: Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: jezza on February 20, 2015, 21:05

hi if they are mistletoe seeds they should be easy to germinate just cut a T in the bark push them in and rap with raffia the sticky outer coating will have been removed by passing through the birds   jezza

Title: Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?
Post by: Mrs Bee on February 21, 2015, 11:21

Thanks Jezza.
 I have removed the hanging berry icicles as I don't think my apple tree will support any more plants than it already has. :)

I will pass your suggestions on to the people I am giving berries to at the end of March.

When I first started off some berries about 9 years ago I tried the cutting method and the  sticking it to the branch and hope method. And got nothing at all from either.

Then I got berries from another source and tried both methods again. Both methods were successful, so I put it down to better and riper berries.

What I didn't do was wrap them with some raffia. Will pass that suggestion on. Thanks.