24/11/11 ..Mistletoe expert, Jonathan Briggs, (50) harvests this year's crop from an ancient, abandoned apple orchard near New House Farm, Standish, G
24/11/11 ..Mistletoe expert, Jonathan Briggs, (50) harvests this year's crop from an ancient, abandoned apple orchard near New House Farm, Standish, said: "Small orchards like these are becoming unprofitable so many are being left. Without care and new planting it's only a matter of time before the trees will start to die-off and with that we may begin to lose our traditional "This year's crop, however is fantastic, the berries have been nurturing for nine months. I think it was the good spring that influenced the berry growth. I was here in March and there were insects everywhere helping to pollenate the plants."..There will be lots of cheap mistletoe around this winter - so it should be a great year for Christmas kisses. "The mistletoe auctions start next week at Tenbury Wells - we're expecting to see a great deal of mistletoe so the prices should be low", added to prevent the decline in the festive plant, Jonathan has started to sell mistletoe grow-kits. "The right balance of temperatures means it grows best in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire but I'm hoping to see it spread to gardens elsewhere across the country. All gardeners will need is a host tree, apples are mistletoe's favourite, and a lot of patience - it is a parasite and will take three years to get growing." he £ kit contains 50 freshly-picked berries, enough for about ten plantings, with detailed instructions, labelling material and a recording form to keep track of each mistletoe planting season is Feburary to April, and the kits, with freshly picked ripe berries, will be sent out in February or of Jonathan's kits can be found here: Rights Reserved - All Rights Reserved - F Stop Press - T: +44 (0)1335 copyright law applies to all print & online usage. Fees charged will comply with standard space rates and usage fo
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