Where can I get a male pernettya mucronata

Ian Fairweather

Before the holidays I bought a plant sold as Pernettya Mucronata for a winter pot. Its looking great with a mass of lilac coloured berries. However, the label says needs a male plant in order to fruit again next year. A look at this site reveals that Pernettya is actually a form of gaultheria. I have gaultheria procumbens growing in my garden (all cuttings from a single plant) which fruits every year. This suggests that either G. procumbens is self- fertile, or its being pollinated from plants hiding in my neighbours gardens. Does anybody know if G. Mucronata can be pollinated from G. procumbens? If so will the fruit turn out the same? If not, does anybody know where I can get a male G. Mucronata to accompany my female plant?
Thanks

Marlorena

That's a good question... it's a long time since I grew these, but you always had to grow more than one together to ensure berries in the future...  I don't know if your Gaultheria procumbens will fertilize it, when I had that one as a single plant it just produced berries regardless of having any other type around.. self fertile as you've noticed..

I suggest you get hold of the hermaphrodite variety of Pernettya called 'Bell's Seedling'... that should sort things out...   hermaphrodites are so very useful...

Silver surfer

To find Gaultheria mucronata Male (M) to pollinate your female plant have a look here...enter your postcode.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Nurseries-Search-Result?query=105720&name=&view=listView

Or do as Marlorena get Gaultheria mucronata Bells Seedling.....which has male and female flowers

I do not believe Gaultheria procumbens would work for this task.

Ian Fairweather

Thanks Marlorena and Silver surfer, it looks like 'Bells seedling' is the way to go. I'll see if I can find one.

Fairygirl

I have the procumbens one and I think it's self fertile. It also spreads by rooting across the ground.
I have a bigger Gaultheria, but can't remember which type it is, Ian. It needs moved from where it is, and you'd have been welcome to it, or a cutting, but I'd have to check whether it's male or female first.

Ian Fairweather

Thanks Fairygirl
That would be great. How to identify if its male or female is beyond the scope of my botanical knowledge right now but I guess its possible to find out.