Rooting Ilex opaca

I have a few American hollies and would like to have more, but I have read that the seeds can take up to three years to germinate. I have also read that they can be started from cuttings. Have any of you tried this?

Escambia,

No experience of my own, but here is the word from Dirr and Heuser:

Cuttings: One report in literature indicated this species was difficult to root but senior author has had excellen success. July/August and February (Illinois). 1000 ppm IBA-solution. peat: perlite, mist, rooted 80% or greater. Summer wood should be firm. Early summer, untreated, sand, rooted 96% in 16 weeks. Late December, untreated, sand: peat. 83% rooting in 23 weeks; IBA soak caused injury.

Hope this helps. Don't know how much of a project you want to make this into, but for broadleaf evergreens, many propagators swear by the "Nearing Frame." A Google search ought to turn up hits that explain the principle, the details, and diagrams on construction.

Scott

Ilex opaca clones are pretty much propagated 100% from rooted cuttings. There should be ample literature available by Googling.

If you don't run into an absolute freight train of information net-wise, contact someone at Auburn (like Ken Tilt) who works with hollies who should be able to set you up for AL success. Callaway Gardens, home to the late Fred Galle, also should have a world of holly propagation information.

Thanks guys

If any of you want some Ilex glabra (Inkberry/Gallberry) seed let me know, I have about a hundred berries. I think it takes a couple of years for them to germinate too.

I ran into this interesting question on a website:

"American holly is diecious, meaning that both male and female plants are needed for fruit production. One male plant can provide pollen to three to eight female plants. It's possible to graft a male branch onto a female plant, thereby giving the plant its own built-in pollen source. I wonder why that isn't routinely done for home landscape plants; perhaps the shape of the tree is affected? If you know the answer, please e-mail jeffball@yardener.com. "

Unless the male branch were put on a side of the plant that would not be viewed, I think it would stand out from the female branches and detract from the overall impression. One of the joys of American Holly is the uniformity of its (nearly) formal appearance.

One of the downfalls of putting the branch on a hidden side of the plant, is that very often "hidden sides" of plants equate to "shaded sides" of plants. In a shady aspect, the branch would not flower well or at all, and thus the desired pollination would be negated.

Another thing to consider is that many Ilex opaca plants are cultivars with specific fruiting, form, or foliage traits, a generic male branch tacked on might not match especially well.

Here's a thing I've noticed with hollies in landscapes that I've installed. In any kind of reasonably well-populated neighborhood, I usually don't need to bother with a male (this applies only to the Meserve hollies or American hollies). Nine times out of ten I just put in girls and somebody's male somewhere does the rest. (I always explain to folks the risk involved here and determine if they are willing to bet a couple of years to see if pollination happens. If it doesn't, obviously, a male can be put in to do the dirty deed. But when a neighbor's boy can be used, no space must be assigned anywhere for a male plant or branch.

I've always had my doubts it was so much an issue of adequate pollen production as it is reasonably close proximity and good weather and insect populations during that busy, busy (and fragrant) week when hollies are in bloom. Love the smell of Ilex opaca flowers!

Scott

Graft a male branch onto a female plant of Ilex opaca; I can imagine any of the following failures.

•"That branch never fruits." (Enter sound of loppers; branch hits ground.)
•"I believe every Ilex opaca ought to be limbed up to show off its fabulous bark!" (Enter sound of Felcos; branch hits ground.)
•"Those leaves aren't the same shape/color as the rest." (Enter sound of loppers; branch hits ground.)
•"That branch doesn't grow as fast as the others." (Enter sound of chainsaw; branch hits ground.)
•"That branch's flowers only have stamens and no pistils. I don't like the aesthetic effect that creates." (OK, that was made-up.)

Plus: a nurseryman is going to sell two plants for equal work, rather than one plant with excessive work and too many routes to failure.

escambia - are your ilex glabra wild? I have 'Shamrock', supposedly sterile. No berries. Trying to create a boxwood type hedge here.

VV, many good points there.


PrairieGirl, yes these are from wild Ilex glabra that are in my woods.

in re: male branches

Spay your pets, not your Hollies. 'Nuff said.

Huh??