Re: Propagating the Pepper Tree (Schinus Molle)

I haven't tried to propagate schinus mollus, but my experience with trees of
similar habitats like cercis siliquastrum and arbutus unedo lead me to
believe it may be a similar propagating experience.  Collect seed in fall
and plant in spring, scrape and soak the seeds in warm water for several
days, plant half of them in acid and half in lime soil, then wait three or
more years for a three inch plant!  I have tried cuttings of all types and
all appear to fail (most possibly because of the years they may require to
set root).  I've had limited success with root cuttings, but once I
replanted, they died.  These trees have an amazing root structure and in
nature reproduce themselves underground via runners.  Even the tiny plants
exhibit a self-layering habit- it's very interesting to observe.

My advise, however, as the failure rate is so high, is to obtain a plant
commercially and in the meantime try to propagate ...  I understand the
desire to have a cutting of the same tree, but you will need many years of
patience and trials to get one...

The reason I say to try both soils is that while these plants live and grow
in lime soil, it is possible they require an acidic soil to germinate (to
reproduce birds' digestive process!)

Karen V.  Athens, Greece
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