Does the Amelanchier alnifolia (serviceberry) need a pollinator?
I have been looking at Autumn Brillance and Princess Diana if it takes two to pollinate.
Would these two work for pollination?
Do you need two trees for good berry production?
Serviceberry Pollinator
Most members of Rosaceae (to which Amelanchier genus belongs) set far better amounts of fruit if they are able to cross-pollinate. Thus, if you plant two different clones like you've mentioned (and their bloom times overlap...) then you should be rewarded with lots and lots of fruit.
As far as I'm aware, I think 'Autumn Brilliance' and 'Princess Diana' overlap in bloom time. You could contain a nurseryman/grower to confirm.
Thank you for the answer. I could not get a straight answer from my research.
VV wrote:
You could contain a nurseryman/grower to confirm.
You might do as well to contact a nurseryman/grower to confirm...
Ok, I will do that.
So... seeings how they set fruit just fine in nature (being a common shrub across the prairies) by self-pollination and presumably, cross-pollination between adjacent and nearby bushes, why would the advice be to get two different clones, rather than, say, just two bushes of the chosen variety?
So... seeings how they set fruit just fine in nature (being a common shrub across the prairies) by self-pollination and presumably, cross-pollination between adjacent and nearby bushes...
Subtract the "self-pollination" part, and you get the drift. The plants in nature are going to be seedlings that are not identical, and they should cross-pollinate every time - provided they bloom at the same time.
I suggest different clones, so that identical genetics are not at play.
Show me one plant isolated from all others that fruits prolifically, and I'll show you the self-fertile selection that will sell millions when one propagates it and gives it a catchy trademark name.
I'd suggest that plants in nature of this species are likely largely clones produced by its suckering habit, but okay, sure. The advice you suggest is the usual. Thanks.
I agree with you that each clump/colony (similarly Sumac, Elderberry, Aronia, Winterberry, etc.) may originate from one genetic parent - but the clumps/colonies are in many different locations. Each seedling starts out as a separate plant, and these separate plants/colonies cross-pollinate.
None of this is to say that any of the Rosaceae are self-sterile, just quite self-incompatible - meaning that relatively little fruit/seed is formed (compared to when there is cross-pollination). I spent a bit of time reading on this with Viburnum as a genus. There are various ways that this situation occurs, from time of bloom to size of pollen and a few more traits that someone with more knowledge of botany and plant physiology could explain better than me.
Post a Reply to this Thread
More Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Threads
-
I believe my Pine Tree is dying
started by Jaguar18
last post by Jaguar18Oct 04, 20233Oct 04, 2023 -
Apple tree fungus/disease
started by Maxwell175
last post by Maxwell175Mar 25, 20241Mar 25, 2024 -
I have a tree that has badly deteriorated bark
started by BigRich1950
last post by BigRich1950Apr 24, 20241Apr 24, 2024 -
American Yellowwood - Perkins Pink toxic?
started by KayCisko
last post by KayCiskoMay 08, 20240May 08, 2024 -
Planting Trees - Complimentary tree?
started by KayCisko
last post by KayCiskoMay 09, 20240May 09, 2024