Can elderberries be grown from the fruit seeds? My sister-in-law is growing some of the plants, but they aren't doing very well and was wondering if she could plant some of the berry clusters in the soil to help them. Thank you!
The following articles should be of some help to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/shade/planting-elderberry.htm
Would like to know why the Sambucus nigra Black Lace seems to have died and what could cause this. The leaves have all dried up and the ends of the branches have gone dark brown. Will it come back next year?
Watering is very important through the warm summer months.
Here is a link to refresh you on the care requirements.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/planting-elderberry.htm
Can elderberry bushes be grown by just dropping some of the berries on the ground? If so, should the berries be ripe ones, or can they be in the pre-ripe stage? We figure wild elderberry bushes get planted by bird droppings after they have consumed the berries, so we're wondering if we could just put the berries on the ground and grow bushes.
They can propagate through seeds; however, this can take 4-5 years before germination takes place. They can be direct seeded outdoors about 1/4 inch deep but should be stratified when started indoors (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/seeds/seed-stratification.htm).
Since growing the shrubs from seeds can take so long, the most efficient method for propagating them is through cuttings. This article will help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm
The fruit of elderberry plants sit on the ends of very fine short stems which are attached to much larger long stems. I have heard that elderberry stems are poisonous. Are both the very thin and the thick stems harmful when making jelly?
Only the berries are used for cooking, like making jelly. They lose their toxicity when cooked properly.
The stems should not be used or consumed.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/planting-elderberry.htm
I have about two hectares of land that is uncultivated at present. When the harvest and subsequent ploughing, etc. is complete, one of the local farmers is going to plow my land for me. I want to estabish a hedge of elderberry trees. They are now in fruit and it will be about a month before my land is plowed. Can I freeze any berries I pick now and then plant them later before the winter sets in?
Freezing the fruit may not produce viable seeds for future planting.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/planting-elderberry.htm
Can I grow Elderberries in Alberta? I have been told we are zone 2 or zone 3, depends who you ask. I really want to have these in my yard, as the fruit is very beneficial for natural health.
Usually Elderberry is hardy to zone 4, but some varieties can be grown down to zone 3.
Varieties Samdal and Samyl are listed as zone 3 winter hardy.
Here are some links for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/planting-elderberry.htm
http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/mfruit/elderberries.html
How far is too far apart for elderberries to cross pollinate?
They are nearly self-unfruitful so plant two different cultivators within 60 feet of each other to provide adequate self pollination between them.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/planting-elderberry.htm