ROOTING THE ELDERBERRIES

Part of my efforts to build up my orchard is to have a plentiful supply of elderberries! A few years ago I purchased some young plants, but they were mostly eaten down by deer.

This year, I procured some cuttings from Todd Hardie of Thornhill Farm, our local rye, elderberry, and honey bee expert! He gave me two local varieties – York and Coomer.

I took some extra precautions to avoid the same deer issue by building a deer fence with fishing line that is intended to scare and confuse because they can feel they’re running into something, but cannot see it. I am hopeful it works!

My process for rooting was to first soak the cuttings in water for 24 hours. Then I dipped the ends into a honey simple syrup, which is reported to be a rooting agent and anti-fungal. I stuck these ends into a reused container filled with potting soil with a hole made in the soil so the honey rooting-agent wouldn’t be wiped off.

I am keeping them wet and in a sheltered area (although at the moment they’re getting covered with snow!)

Hopefully this works and I’m thinking about other woody plants I can use this process with, including some amazing plum trees I’ve had my eye on in town!

Wish me luck and if you have any questions or ideas to share, please do!