Sea BuckthornHippophae rhamnoides

Sea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn

1. Hippophaes rhamnoideum
2. Rhamnoides hippophae
3. Argussiera rhamnoides
4. Elaeagnus rhamnoides
5. Osyris rhamnoides

1. Sea-buckthorn

1. Sea-buckthorn

1. Sea Buckthorn
2. Sandthorn
3. Sallowthorn
4. Seaberry
5. Hippophae rhamnoides
6. Russian Sandthorn

Oleaster family

1. Fruit
2. Berries

1. Taskpruning

   Label

   Winter pruning

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 11
   4. 12

   Conditiondormancy

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Shaping and thinning to promote fruit production and plant health.

2. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Outdoor Sowing

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 10
   2. 11
   3. 12
   4. 1
   5. 2
   6. 3

   Conditioncold_stratification

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Seeds require cold stratification, so direct sowing in winter is possible.

1. Taskpruning

   Label

   Winter Pruning

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 11
   4. 12

   Conditiondormancy

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Shaping and thinning to promote fruit production and plant health.

2. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Outdoor Sowing

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 10
   2. 11
   3. 12
   4. 1
   5. 2
   6. 3

   Conditioncold_stratification

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Seeds require cold stratification, so direct sowing in winter is possible.

1. Taskplanting

   Label

   Planting

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 9
   5. 10
   6. 11

   Conditionsoil_workable

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Planting of bare-root or container-grown plants.

2. Tasksoil_preparation

   Label

   Soil Preparation

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 9

   Conditionbefore_planting

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Ensure good drainage and loose soil.

3. Taskpruning

   Label

   Pruning

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 3
   4. 11
   5. 12

   Conditiondormancy

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Shaping and thinning to promote fruit production and plant health.

4. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Outdoor Sowing

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 10
   2. 11
   3. 12
   4. 1
   5. 2
   6. 3

   Conditioncold_stratification

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Seeds require cold stratification, so direct sowing in winter is possible.

1. Taskplanting

   Label

   Planting

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 9
   5. 10
   6. 11

   Conditionsoil_workable

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Planting of bare-root or container-grown plants.

2. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering (Young Plants)

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
   4. 7
   5. 8
   6. 9

   Conditiondry_spells_for_young_plants

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young plants require regular watering during dry spells in their first few years.

1. Taskplanting

   Label

   Planting

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 9
   5. 10
   6. 11

   Conditionsoil_workable

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Planting of bare-root or container-grown plants.

2. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering (Young Plants)

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
   4. 7
   5. 8
   6. 9

   Conditiondry_spells_for_young_plants

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young plants require regular watering during dry spells in their first few years.

1. Taskpruning

   Label

   Light Corrective Pruning

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 6

   Conditionas_needed

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Only if necessary for shaping or removing damaged branches.

2. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering (Young Plants)

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
   4. 7
   5. 8
   6. 9

   Conditiondry_spells_for_young_plants

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young plants require regular watering during dry spells in their first few years.

1. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering (Young Plants)

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
   4. 7
   5. 8
   6. 9

   Conditiondry_spells_for_young_plants

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young plants require regular watering during dry spells in their first few years.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8
   2. 9
   3. 10

   Conditionberries_ripe

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Berries are ripe when fully colored. Often, entire branches are cut and berries are removed later.

2. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering (Young Plants)

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
   4. 7
   5. 8
   6. 9

   Conditiondry_spells_for_young_plants

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young plants require regular watering during dry spells in their first few years.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8
   2. 9
   3. 10

   Conditionberries_ripe

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Berries are ripe when fully colored. Often, entire branches are cut and berries are removed later.

2. Taskplanting

   Label

   Planting

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 9
   5. 10
   6. 11

   Conditionsoil_workable

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Planting of bare-root or container-grown plants.

3. Tasksoil_preparation

   Label

   Soil Preparation

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 9

   Conditionbefore_planting

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Ensure good drainage and loose soil.

4. Taskwatering

   Label

   Watering (Young Plants)

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
   4. 7
   5. 8
   6. 9

   Conditiondry_spells_for_young_plants

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Young plants require regular watering during dry spells in their first few years.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8
   2. 9
   3. 10

   Conditionberries_ripe

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Berries are ripe when fully colored. Often, entire branches are cut and berries are removed later.

2. Taskplanting

   Label

   Planting

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 9
   5. 10
   6. 11

   Conditionsoil_workable

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Planting of bare-root or container-grown plants.

3. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Outdoor Sowing

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 10
   2. 11
   3. 12
   4. 1
   5. 2
   6. 3

   Conditioncold_stratification

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Seeds require cold stratification, so direct sowing in winter is possible.

1. Taskplanting

   Label

   Planting

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 9
   5. 10
   6. 11

   Conditionsoil_workable

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Planting of bare-root or container-grown plants.

2. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Outdoor Sowing

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 10
   2. 11
   3. 12
   4. 1
   5. 2
   6. 3

   Conditioncold_stratification

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Seeds require cold stratification, so direct sowing in winter is possible.

3. Taskpruning

   Label

   Winter Pruning

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 11
   4. 12

   Conditiondormancy

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Shaping and thinning to promote fruit production and plant health.

1. Tasksowing_outdoor

   Label

   Outdoor Sowing

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 10
   2. 11
   3. 12
   4. 1
   5. 2
   6. 3

   Conditioncold_stratification

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Seeds require cold stratification, so direct sowing in winter is possible.

2. Taskpruning

   Label

   Winter Pruning

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 11
   4. 12

   Conditiondormancy

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Shaping and thinning to promote fruit production and plant health.

1. Full sun

1. Wind tolerant
2. Open

Prefers open, sunny locations. Well-suited for windy areas and coastal regions.

1. Sandy
2. Gravelly
3. Loamy-sandy

1. Very good

1. Low
2. Medium

Sea buckthorn is undemanding and thrives even on nutrient-poor, well-drained soils. Waterlogging must be avoided.

1. Regular for young plants
2. Seldom for established plants

Once established, sea buckthorn is very drought-tolerant and requires little additional irrigation, except during extremely long dry periods.

1. Annually (compost)

As a nitrogen fixer, sea buckthorn requires very little additional fertilization. An annual application of mature compost in spring is sufficient.

Both male and female plants are required for fruit production. Plan for sufficient space for spread.

1. Insect larvae (Sea Buckthorn Fly)
2. Sucking insects (Aphids)

1. Fungal diseases (Powdery Mildew, Wilt)

1. Site-appropriate planting on well-drained soil in full sun.
2. Avoidance of waterlogging through suitable soil preparation.
3. Promotion of garden biodiversity to support natural enemies of pests.
4. Selection of robust and site-adapted varieties.
5. Regular thinning pruning to improve air circulation and plant health.

Look for wilting (often a sign of waterlogging or Verticillium wilt), leaf discolorations (deficiencies), and specific feeding marks or puncture wounds on fruits (sea buckthorn fly). Sea buckthorn is generally very resilient, so problems are often due to unfavorable site conditions.

1. Slugsanddornfliege

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Warm summers
   2. Susceptible varieties

   Affected parts

   1. Fruits

   Prevention

   1. Cultivate resistant varieties
   2. Early harvest

   Organic control

   1. Yellow sticky traps
   2. Remove infested fruits
   3. Autumn soil cultivation
2. Slugblattlaeuse

   Severitylow

   Conditions

   1. Young, tender shoots
   2. Nitrogen excess

   Affected parts

   1. Young shoots
   2. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Promote beneficial insects
   2. Balanced fertilization

   Organic control

   1. Rinse with water
   2. Soapy water solution
3. Slugechter-mehltau

   Severitylow

   Conditions

   1. Warm, humid weather
   2. Poor air circulation

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Young shoots

   Prevention

   1. Thinning pruning
   2. Robust varieties

   Organic control

   1. Remove affected parts
   2. Sulfur-based preparations
4. Slugverticillium-welke

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Infested soil
   2. Root injuries

   Affected parts

   1. Shoots
   2. Branches
   3. Entire plant

   Prevention

   1. Resistant varieties
   2. Avoid root injuries

   Organic control

   1. Remove and destroy affected plant parts
5. Slugstaunaesse

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Poor drainage
   2. Compacted soil
   3. Excessive watering

   Affected parts

   1. Roots
   2. Entire plant

   Prevention

   1. Location with good drainage
   2. Raised beds
   3. Appropriate watering

   Organic control

   1. Loosen soil
   2. Improve drainage
6. Slugeisenmangel

   Severitylow

   Conditions

   1. Calcareous soils
   2. High pH value

   Affected parts

   1. Young leaves

   Prevention

   1. Adjust soil pH
   2. Add organic matter

   Organic control

   1. Iron chelates (organically approved)
   2. Incorporate acidic compost

1. Symptom

   Wilting leaves or shoots, often one-sided

   Possible causes

   1. staunaesse
   2. verticillium-welke

   First checks

   1. Check soil moisture (too wet?)
   2. Check roots for rot
   3. Cut shoots (discoloration in wood?)
2. Symptom

   Yellow leaves with green veins (especially young leaves)

   Possible causes

   1. eisenmangel

   First checks

   1. Check soil pH
   2. Check soil for compaction
3. Symptom

   Small puncture marks and rotten spots on fruits, premature fruit drop

   Possible causes

   1. sanddornfliege

   First checks

   1. Check fruits for larvae
   2. Set up yellow sticky traps
4. Symptom

   White, powdery coating on leaves and shoots

   Possible causes

   1. echter-mehltau

   First checks

   1. Check air circulation
   2. Check plant for over-fertilization
5. Symptom

   New shoots appear far from the mother plant

   Possible causes

   1. wurzelauslaeufer

   First checks

   1. Check area around the plant for suckers

1. Bud break
2. Flowering
3. Fruit set
4. Fruit ripening
5. Leaf fall

Sea buckthorn is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate plants. Fruit ripening occurs only on female plants.

March to April (before leaf emergence)

Inconspicuous, small, yellowish flowers appearing in leaf axils. Male flowers in small catkins, female flowers solitary or in small clusters.

August to October

5-15 kg per established female plant

The berries are very tightly attached to thorny branches, making harvesting difficult. A common method is to cut entire fruit-laden branches, which are then frozen. After freezing, the berries can be easily shaken or stripped from the branches.

Annually, from the 3rd to 4th year of female plants.

1. Full orange to red coloration of berries
2. Berries are plump and firm

After harvest, berries should be processed or frozen quickly to preserve their high vitamin C content. If harvesting by cutting entire branches, these are frozen directly and the berries are removed later.

1. Refrigeration (short-term)
2. Freezing (long-term)
3. Processing into juice, jam, syrup

Fresh, refrigerated, frozen, processed

Fresh: a few days in the refrigerator. Frozen: up to 12 months. Processed: several months to years depending on product and storage.

1. Juicing
2. Making jam/jelly
3. Making syrup
4. Drying
5. Freezing

1. Juice
2. Jam
3. Jelly
4. Syrup
5. Oil
6. Tea
7. Cosmetic products

Sea buckthorn berries are rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, and other bioactive substances. They are often processed into health foods and dietary supplements.

1. Juices and nectars
2. Jams and jellies
3. Syrups and liqueurs
4. Desserts (mousse, ice cream)
5. Baked goods (cakes, muffins)
6. Sauces for game or poultry
7. Smoothies

Intensely tart, fruity, slightly astringent.

Due to their very high acidity, sea buckthorn berries are rarely eaten raw, but usually processed sweetened or combined with other fruits.

1. Fruits (berries)

1. Thorns (make harvesting difficult)

No known toxic effects of the edible parts.

Possible, but rarely consumed raw due to the extremely tart taste. Usually processed.

Collect ripe berries, remove pulp by crushing and washing. Thoroughly dry the seeds and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Sea buckthorn seeds require cold stratification for germination. As sea buckthorn is dioecious and often propagated vegetatively, seed saving for true-to-type offspring is more complex.

Cold stratification for 2-3 months at 1-5°C (34-41°F) is necessary to break dormancy.

Seeds remain viable for 2-4 years when stored in cool, dry, and dark conditions.

As sea buckthorn is wind-pollinated and requires both male and female plants, the genetic origin of the pollinators must be considered when saving seeds if true-to-type offspring are desired.

1. Bush
2. Small tree

Sea buckthorn is dioecious; both male and female plants are required for fruit production. It often produces root suckers that should be removed regularly. Most varieties are thorny.

Sea buckthorn is an important pioneer plant that contributes to soil improvement (nitrogen fixation) and provides food and shelter for birds and insects. The thorny shrubs are an ideal nesting site.