How to Grow Phoradendron Flavescens

Collect ripe, fresh mistletoe berries from wild specimens in late winter for best results. If this isn't possible, you can salvage the berries from mistletoe plants used as decorations, keeping them submerged in water in the window of a cold room until the end of February.

Choose a healthy, vigorous branch of a mature apple tree to serve as a site for the mistletoe. The branch should be high up on the tree and at least 8 inches in diameter. Do this in March or April, when chances for germination are highest. Apple trees--which have bark soft enough to be penetrated by the root, or radicle, of the germinating seeds--are an ideal choice for a host. Other good options are hawthorn, linden and poplar.

Squeeze one of the berries until the sticky glue, or viscin, emerges. You should also see the dark, tiny seeds. Gather about half a dozen seeds on your fingertip and dab them onto the side or underside of the branch. The sticky substance should keep them in place.

Mark the area immediately with a plant label, secured with twine.

Repeat the procedure with at least 20 more berries. The website Mistletoe Pages advises splitting them between four branches. It is necessary to use many seeds, because the germination rate can be as low as 1 in 10. In addition, some may fall off or be eaten by birds.

Observe the branches for signs of germination. The first year, you may only see tiny green sprouts. By the third year, the plants should begin to grow rapidly; by the fourth year, berries should appear.