The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Cinderhills on September 07, 2010, 05:47:12 pm
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I already have red berries on the branches but by December they have all been eaten. If I pick holly branches now with the berries on is there anyway these can be 'preserved' so I can use them for Christmas decorations?
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I am not too sure if you can put them in a bucket of glycerine!! (hope that not the sort you make bombs with ;)) I have a dull old bush but bought some fake red berries to tie on and at least they do not drop off or discolour...I would go miles to "steal" good Holly!!
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;) :)
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You could try sticking the branches into some green florists foam and just keep wetting it - they might be okay in a cool place. I suspect if you tried to dry it the leaves and berries would just fall off. But if you've got loads it's probably worth trying a few different methods to see which works best (short of netting off the entire tree to keep the birds off it) ;D
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get a plastic bag and slide it over the branches still attached to the bush and covering the berries then tie it off. Stops the birds eating them even though its a bit unsightly
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I'm sure there is a preserving spray you can get from the florists. :&>
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Mine nearly always drop off. I've tried picking early and keeping them cool but only a few tenacious berries stay put.
A thought I did have was to pick the berries and string them with a needle and cotton to dry them then tie back on to the holly when I pick it later in the year, but that thought came last year and I haven't tried it yet.
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whoooooooooooops :-[ Just re read my post and it sounds a bit rude :-[ I still think putting fake ones on is the better idea, mine were on little ties so twisted around, only a few pence a bunch and I want some more for this year (Christmas wedding) mind you, you end up with lots of scratches and sore hands!!!
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Thanks everyone for those ideas. I might try a few and see what works best. :)
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whoooooooooooops :-[ Just re read my post and it sounds a bit rude :-[
lol, thats why I winked.... wasn't sure if it was just my dirty mind that would notice! ;)
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just noticed when re reading it after you said, Sandy ;D :&>
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I realy DO have a dull old bush (of holly) and would love a nice fresh varigated one as I bring loads of greenery in at Christmas and love the effect that varigated gives. I keep having a chuckle at my post...I worry about my brain..it plays tricks on me all the time.
::)
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I I keep having a chuckle at my post...
.... So do I !! :)