Propagation techniques for Sambucus cerulea (blue elderberry)

Abstract

Native fruiting species provide an interesting opportunity for sustainable diversification by fruit growers; however, efforts to develop commercial fruit production using blue elderberry (Sambucus cerulea Raf. [Caprifoliaceae]) have been hampered by difficulty in propagating this western North American species. We conducted a series of experiments over 3 seasons to develop viable propagation protocols. Semi-hardwood cuttings collected from wild-grown plants at full bloom and treated with a commercial naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) formulation had rooting success greater than 60%. Hardwood cuttings taken from greenhouse-grown stock plants and then cold-callused for 14 to 18 wk had consistently high success rates suitable for commercial propagation of wild selections. These methods will be useful for domesticating blue elderberry for both the landscape and the specialty food products industries.