| Species: | Sambucus racemosa |
| Common name and alpha code | scarlet elderberry SARA2 |
| Propagation Method (Seed, Vegetative) | Seed, vegetative. 187 Hardwood, root cutting 123 |
| Miscellaneous
|
Caprifoliaceae; honeysuckle
family Survives and colonizes after fire. 123 Soil disturbance provides a suitable seedbed for germination of seedlings, and may stimulate germination of stored seed. Fire can stimulate germination of stored seed. 187 Large seed crops every year for S. pubens (now S. racemosa) 129 |
| TABLE: | SEED |
| Seeds/Lb. | Range 192,000-377,000; average 286,000. 4 lbs. seed per 100 lbs. fruit. 129 630 seeds/gram 146 261,000/lb 191 |
| Germ %
|
47%; tested in sand 77-86oF
daytime, 50-68oF night time for 60 days. 129 In ref #139: Temperature: Alternate at 86oF day and 68oF night (Brinkman 1974I); alternate at 25oC day and 15oC night (Conrad & McDonough 1972); alternate at 22oC day and 17oC night (McDonough 1969); constant at 70oF (Griswald 1936). Germinative capacity: 47% in 60 days (Brinkman 1974i); 37-51% in 30 days (Conrad & McDonough 1972); 100% in 28 days (McDonough 1969); 6% (Griswald 1936); 51% in 139-252 days (Nichols 1934). |
| Germ Test Amt | |
| Germ Test Cost | |
| Purity % | 97% 129 |
| Purity Test Amt | |
| Purity Test Cost | |
| Germination Pretreatment
Requirement
|
Elderberry seeds are difficult to
germinate because of their dormant embryo and hard seed coats. A 10-15 minute soak in H2SO4
followed by two months’ cold-moist stratification at 34o-40oF
is suggested.145suggested. 145 Fresh seeds, stratify 2-3 months.123months.
123 Stratify S. pubens (now S. racemosa) in sand, 68-86oF for 30-60 days, then 41oF for 90-150 days. 129 Pretreatment of elderberry seeds usually consists of 90 days of warm stratification followed by 90 days of prechilling. Heit (1967c) suggests 10-15 minutes soaking in acid followed by 2 months of prechilling. 146 In ref # 139: Warm stratify at 86oF day and 68oF night for 30-60 days then moist chill at 41oF for 90-150 days (Brinkman 1974i); moist chill at 2oC for 5 months (Conrad & McDonough 1972; McDonough 1969). Does not need stratification (Nichols 1934). Treat in sulfuric acid for 5 minutes, then soak in water for 2 days, then warm and cold stratification. 97 Sow in fall soon after collection or warm stratify 30 days, cold stratify 90 days and sow in spring. In either case germination often not complete until second spring. 191 |
| Seed Processing Needed e.g. Awns | The fruit may be a) dried, b) run
through a macerator with water to float off the pulp and empty seeds, or c) crushed,
dried, and used without further cleaning. Commercial seed may consist of either dried
fruit or cleaned seed. After a short drying period, freshly extracted seed may be fanned
or screened to remove debris. Excessive drying should be avoided. Small lots of fruit may
be cleaned in a food blender. Cover berries with water and run the blender long enough to
macerate the fruit. Rinse several times to float off pulp and debris. Separate seeds from
the last rinse in a filter line funnel and dry on filter paper. 129 Macerate with water, float off, dry, fan, and screen. 139 |
| Storage Requirements | Elderberry seed may be stored dry
at 41oF for several years. 129 Seeds may be stored in closed containers at low temperatures for several years. 146 |
| Storage Length (Years) | |
| Maturity Date | Seed maturity: June-Aug; summer
to fall 139 Flowers April-July, fruit ripens June-Aug, seed disperses June-Nov. Ripe fruit is scarlet red. 146 Fruit ripens June-Sept. 97 |
| Pollinators | |
| Seed Dispersal Mechanism | Birds, other animals. 187 |
| Breeding: self; Cross; Asexual Reproduction | |
| Disease Problems | |
| Insect Predation | |
| Hand Collection Methods, Problems and Cost/Lb. | Seeds ripen in early autumn, 3
seeds per fruit. 152 Collect fruits by stripping or cutting the clusters from the branches. The fruits may be dried or macerated and seeds extracted. 145 Collect fruit as soon as it is ripe to reduce losses to birds. If the seed is not to be extracted immediately, the fruits should be spread out in thin layers to prevent heating. 129 |
| TABLE: | SEED INCREASE INFO |
| Sow Rate for Seed Increase Plantation, Lb./Acre | |
| 1st Year Yield, Lb./acre | |
| 2nd Year Yield, Lb./acre | |
| Field Life Span: Years | |
| Production Cost/Lb. | |
| Field Distance Requirements | |
| Sow Date | |
| Miscellaneous Increase Info. | |
| TABLE: | VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION |
| Type
of Material (Age, Plant Part, Etc.) |
Reproduces
best vegetatively. 139 Take softwood cuttings in June, as soon as the new wood is sturdy. 97 Softwood cuttings in June and July 133 Hardwood cuttings taken in Dec-Feb, 15-20 cm long and healed. 191 |
| Size of Material to Collect | Length of cuttings depends on length of internodes. 97 |
| Season of Collection | |
| Collection Method | |
| To Nursery: Storage and Shipping Requirements | |
| Miscellaneous
Vegetative Propagation Info.
|
Rapid sprouting
follows cutting. In Oregon, late summer cutting produced more sprouts than cutting during
dormancy or early summer. Two to five sprouts are typically produced for each cut stem.
Will sprout following fire unless fire was severe enough to kill root system. 187 A basal cut should be made just below a node and 30-40% of the leaves removed. Use IBA #2 hormone, then dip cuttings in a captanCaptan solution for a few minutes. Stick in a 1:1 peat:perlite mixture in containers with ample room for root growth. Roots will develop within 14-21 days if kept under hot and humid conditions, but too much water will cause the leaves to rot. Cuttings do not do well in cold storage and should be planted in the field with enough time to become established before winter. 97 100% rooting success obtained with a small batch of softwood cuttings. 191 |
| TABLE: | NURSERY PRODUCTION (See also J. H. Stone Nursery Desk Guide, reference # 185) |
| Nursery Stock Type; Container Size | Young plants in containers must be allowed adequate root room or growth retarded; repot as soon as growth slows. 191 |
| Cost/1,000 | |
| Number of Growing Seasons | One-year-old seedlings usually are large enough for field planting. 129 |
| Grow Specifications | |
| Miscellaneous
Nursery Production Info.
|
Elder seed can
be sown in the fall soon after collection, or stratified and sown in the spring. In either
case, germination often is not complete until the second spring. A seedling density of 35
plants per square foot is sought. Seed is sown ¼ " deep in drills and covered with
about 3/8" of sawdust mulch. Fall-sown seedbeds should be mulched. 129 A seedling density of 370 plants per m2 is desired. It may be desirable to sow seeds as soon as they are collected, without allowing them to dry. 146 Seedlings should have half shade. 139 S. racemosa ssp. pubens (Michx.) House: Cuttings received in flats were transplanted into cone cells in UCD mix of perlite, peat, vermiculite, sand, and Osmocote (50-50 mix of peat/vermiculite had poor drainage). These were placed on bottom heat at 70oF soil temperature; misted 4 seconds every 6 minutes, then 4 seconds every 10 minutes. Potted cuttings received in cone cells were placed in lathhouse and fertilized with Osmocote. The latter, left in lathhouse for entire winter, had better performance than cuttings rooted in greenhouse. Results with cuttings were poor. Pretreated with hormone. 138 Seedlings usually outplanted after one year. 97 Seedlings susceptible to spider mite but Safer’s Insecticidal Soap at the recommended rate will kill the seedlings. 191 |
| TABLE: | HABITAT |
| Plant Association Groups | Dry to moist, well-drained sites. 97 Moist soils, especially in open areas. 191 Designated a "shrub invader" of preforest succession along with Spiraea betulifolia, Salix scouleriana, Ceanothus velutinus, C. sanguineus, Amelanchier alnifolia,andalnifolia, and Sambucus cerulea. Composition of these communities related to type of originating disturbance and age. 219 |
| Drought Tolerance | |
| Soil: Texture, Chemicals | Deep, well-drained, moist,
fertile soils on flats and slopes 34 Elderberries will tolerate most soil textures. 133 |
| Soil Depth | |
| Ave. Precip. Needs | |
| Flooding or High Water Tolerance | |
| Soil Stabilization | Good soil binding characteristics. 97 Fast growing and could be good primary stabilizer. 191 |
| Palatability and Attractiveness to Animals; Response to Grazing | Important winter browse for elk, deer, and other mammals. Berries eaten by bears, many small mammals, and birds. Nesting sites. Highly palatable to cattle in southeastern B.C. 187 |
| Elevation Range | 7000-10,000 ft. 34 6000-10,000 ft. 216138 |
| Competitiveness | |
| Plasticity | |
| Root System: Rhizomes, Stolons, etc. | |
| Shade tolerance | Elderberries will tolerate full sun to partial shade. 133 |
| TABLE: | CONSERVATION SOWING OR PLANTING ON N.F. SITES |
| Sow Rate for Sowing on National Forest Sites, Lb./Acre | |
| Sowing Method and Date | |
| Planting Density, Spacing | |
| Planting Method and Date | |
| Animal Damage Control in Plantings | |
| Miscellaneous |