Join us on a horticultural journey through the world of mistletoe. In this episode, we explore the fascinating history and cultural significance of this parasitic plant. From its unique biology to its horticultural applications, we cover everything you need to know about mistletoe. We also discuss the plant’s role in the ecosystem and where you can find it in Illinois and beyond. Tune in to discover why mistletoe is more than just a holiday decoration!

Skip to what you want to know:
0:29 Hey Ken
2:18 Digging into the legends behind mistletoe. Druids, Vikings, and other symbolism.
7:30 Where do you find mistletoe? What are the differences?
9:40 Mistletoe in Illinois and North America
12:02 What does mistletoe translate to mean?
12:36 What is mistletoe? Is mistletoe a parasite? How does it grow?
18:16 How does mistletoe interact with the environment. Is mistletoe good for the ecology of a site?
25:43 How do you control mistletoe if you don’t want it in your tree? 
28:55 Chris learns about kissing under the mistletoe and how it’d done.
30:28 Is mistletoe used for anything besides kissing random people?
32:36 Where does mistletoe sold in stores come from?
33:19 Thank yous and coming up next week!

Check out this article on Mistletoe: Pathology, systematics, ecology, and management https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/epdf/10.1094/PDIS-92-7-0988

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Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected] 

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Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.

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