|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Jul 6, 2012 12:27:14 GMT -5
Safflower is apparently bitter and therefore unpalatable to Squirrels and most birds. Cardinals and Mourning Doves are the only two feathered friends that dine at our Safflower feeder. For several weeks now, we've had a thistle-like plant winding it's way up the shepherd'shook that holds the safflower diningchair and yesterday it began to bloom. It's quite beautiful in real time and according to wikipedia, drought resistant. A perfect plant for this summer's heat and rampant humidity. I just might purposely raise some next year  (Working on uploading pics...need to edit)  |
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Jul 6, 2012 12:31:38 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by 12540dumont on Jul 6, 2012 22:48:04 GMT -5
I've always been interested in this as a diversion crop....
I put it on the fringes and the spines deter those 2 and 4 leggeds that interfere with melons.
My girlfriend swears that squash planted round the outside of her garden deter deer. I think I need spiny er.
I keep hoping that Mike sends me some of those Himalayan yellow berries with spines 2 inches thick...seems about right.
If you find a source for non-gmo let me know.
|
|
|
|
Post by raymondo on Jul 7, 2012 5:22:35 GMT -5
Is safflower gmo too? Sheesh! Must have a look around here for some. Australia only grows one gm crop, Bt cotton, oh, and a couple of trial plots of roundup ready canola. In general, Australia hasn't been fast on the take up gm crops. The approval process is slow. For example, they only allowed imports of corn products made with gm corn last year! The corn itself has not been approved for growing here...yet. And our farmers are a conservative lot, very slow to take up new things!
I'll let you know if I find any safflower here.
Edit: I take back what I said. It turns out we do grow a number of 'homegrown' gm crops. The approval process for these is different. And safflower is one of them though there are plenty of old cultivars still around that are not gm.
|
|
|
|
Post by 12540dumont on Jul 7, 2012 15:06:33 GMT -5
Always hunting non-gmo and planting and getting those seeds in the seed fridge. This year the rice is coming right along. I really really hope to get rice seed this year.
|
|
|
|
Post by castanea on Jul 7, 2012 16:56:55 GMT -5
I've always been interested in this as a diversion crop.... I put it on the fringes and the spines deter those 2 and 4 leggeds that interfere with melons. My girlfriend swears that squash planted round the outside of her garden deter deer. I think I need spiny er. I keep hoping that Mike sends me some of those Himalayan yellow berries with spines 2 inches thick...seems about right. If you find a source for non-gmo let me know. Seedlings of che, cudrania tricuspidata (or maclura tricuspidata), have some of the nastiest thorns you will ever see. When the fruit turns red it is also a beautiful ornamental. Nothing seems to bother it and it is very drought tolerant. |
|
