Trying to sex bayberry - Ask Extension
Wondering if these are actual catkins or just growths that will become leaves. It's late May in CT, and the photo is from a ten-year-old bush. I have...
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Trying to sex bayberry #869559
Asked May 22, 2024, 12:57 AM EDT
Wondering if these are actual catkins or just growths that will become leaves. It's late May in CT, and the photo is from a ten-year-old bush.
I have a bunch of bayberries I've planted over the years, but none set berries in the fall. I'm trying to gender them to see if that's the issue.
Middlesex County Connecticut
Expert Response
HI,
They are catkins. I think you really need a hand lens to confirm but I found this description online.
'Male and female bayberry flowers are both inconspicuous catkins, but male flowers are yellowish green while female flowers lack both sepals and petalsMale catkins are generally longer than female catkins (0.4-1.8 cm) are generally longer than female catkins (0.3-1.4 cm). Male catkins are held in clusters and are short and stubby, while female catkins are held singly and are long and thin.'
So you can see what the catkins look like when they elongate. Also if you are aware of other bayberry plants in the area and yours never produces berries, maybe you could assume it is a male.
You also might be able to bring the catkins when they open more to the Middlesex County Extension office in Haddam. Gail Reynolds works there and is very good with plants. Their number is<personal data hidden>.
They are catkins. I think you really need a hand lens to confirm but I found this description online.
'Male and female bayberry flowers are both inconspicuous catkins, but male flowers are yellowish green while female flowers lack both sepals and petalsMale catkins are generally longer than female catkins (0.4-1.8 cm) are generally longer than female catkins (0.3-1.4 cm). Male catkins are held in clusters and are short and stubby, while female catkins are held singly and are long and thin.'
So you can see what the catkins look like when they elongate. Also if you are aware of other bayberry plants in the area and yours never produces berries, maybe you could assume it is a male.
You also might be able to bring the catkins when they open more to the Middlesex County Extension office in Haddam. Gail Reynolds works there and is very good with plants. Their number is<personal data hidden>.
Great, I’ll wait a few more weeks and see if the flowers help me out. Then if I’m still stumped I’ll contact Gail.
Thanks so much!
Maria
On May 22, 2024, at 3:43 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
