Re: Propagating the Pepper Tree (Schinus Molle)

I'm in Blenheim. I think this tree is very drought tolerant as quite a few trees in the area died when we had our bad drought a couple of years ago. I didn't see any seeds, but the tree is in flower at the moment. I did think small cuttings were the most likely.

I'll take another trip out there today and gather cuttings.

Tony and Moira Ryan wrote:


Hi Olwen
I'm afraid I can't remember where you live, but unless it is in the wet and warm far north, it is much more likely the tree is the Californian S. molle rather than the Brazilian S. terbinthefolius. Molle is quite common at least in the North Island but the other is pretty rare I think.

However that is beside the point as what you want to know is how to propagate it. It can apparently be grown from fresh seed in spring or from summer cuttings but information on this seems pretty sparse and I have been unable to find any details.

If your friend wants to try cuttings I would suggest she goes for the half-ripe kind (Wood of the current season which has hardened to some extent so that it still bends but does not yet snap). Smallish cuttings
(not more than 10cms) usually do better than great long ones.

I guess it is probably too late now for seed, which has probably been already shed, but if there is any left it might still be worth a try.

Moira
--
Olwen Williams
See my B&B site
http://www.bandbclub.com
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