Mulberry experiment in San Diego

[shaneatwell]

I have ~20 mulberry seedlings from my Pakistan. I’m 95% sure they aren’t from pollenization. Closest male is 2 miles away and every fruit had seeds in the top quarter of the fruit. I’m going to grow some up and see if they are clonal. Anyone want some seedlings to join in the experiment? No shipping please.

[spaugh]

Yes, bring one over if you get the message in time. 

[sc4001992]

Shane,

I have many wild seedlings that pop up in my yard. I usually just use them for rootstock since they have good tap roots.
I did let this one wild seedling tree grow up for the last 3-4 yrs, and it doesn't seem to have any flowers/fruits. Does it mean its a male?

The tree is still an excellent tree for grafting different varieties of mulberry so its not useless. Also is a good tree to take cuttings for new rootstock source, very easy to root.

[shaneatwell]

Just hasn’t flowered yet. Male flowers are pretty prominent too. I hope you keep watching? Is the Pakistan only possible parent?

[sc4001992]

Yes, for this seedling tree, there is no other mulberry near by, only Pakistan.

[sc4001992]

Ok, I see some flowers on my seedling tree so this must be a male tree and it will not have any fruits.

[shaneatwell]

Definitely male. Fascinating! I’d love to get some cuttings from you. A male ‘daughter’ of Pakistan would be nice for breeding.

Also this means that Pakistan makes sexually produced seedlings without obvious males around. Surprising. I was suspecting as much from my seedlings as well based on dramatic differences in leaf morphology and an approximately even distribution between the types.

Here’s my Pakistan for others that aren’t familiar with female flowers.

[sc4001992]

Shane send me a PM so I have your address. I just cut back this tree which was growing over 15ft so I have hundreds of cuttings now that I plan to root.
I have already rooted many cuttings from this tree and its strong and roots easily. Should be a good rootstock for people who want to graft other varieties.