Topic: Sloe Berry Bush's - Cutting or seed?

[NottsBoy]

Can any one recommend the best way to grow Sloe Berry bush's?

 I have collected some berries and also taken some cuttings (Treated with hormone powder and planted in pots with compost).

Can any one advise if the cuttings are likely to take or how long it will take the berries to become seedlings etc?

Any other tips greatfully accepted.
(yes I realise both methods are going to take a fair few years before they fruit, but I have the space to let them develope etc)

Thanks

Bren

[keef]

If you look round under the sloe bushes you normally find lots of saplings - just dig up some of those..

[saddad]

I prefer the tip cuttings method but the sapling will be a year or two ahead...
 8)

[jennym]

Sorry if this post sounds like a downer, but are you absolutely sure you want to use valuable space growing blackthorn, when so many already grow wild?
Of course, maybe it's for a hedge, or maybe you have plenty of land to spare, but I just had to say it, in case you hadn't considered the space question.  :)

[saddad]

Def great as a hedge lots of spines... and more than enough for Gin...
 8)

[NottsBoy]

The allotment backs onto a school (albeit their is a hedge/fence of sorts)  so I liked the idea of a hedge that is unchild friendly, pretty hardy and can be used to flavour gin!  Thanks for the tip about the saplings I'll go back and look for some!

[artichoke]

I was talking to someone yesterday who had put in a sloe hedge and hugely regretted it because of thir suckering. They surge forward like triffids. I had a spinney of them once at the bottom of a long garden, and they spread up the garden like a train (slight exaggeration).

I much prefer to find them in the wild, where they are someone else's problem. There are loads around here (East Sussex).

[NottsBoy]

Fair point. I'll not have to worry to much for a year or two but i'll keep my hatchet sharp for when the time comes!