Interesting plant features/behaviours - eg. mulberry

[SouthPark]

Wow !!!! Thanks for the warning on that Diane!

I didn't know about that. I knew that big figs/ficus can have powerful roots ------ need to keep them well away from the house, or maybe even nowhere near the house hahahaha. Their roots will bust piping etc, and more.

[estación seca]

Pineapples are very heavy feeders. Most bromeliads are badly affected by copper, but pineapples aren't. Especially in your climate you should have fruit in 2-3 summers from starting a top. If you want to grow it in a pot start with a 1 gallon / 4 liters, but plan on moving it to a 15 gallon long term if you want regular fruiting.

Twist off the top; don't cut it. Peel off the brown leaves at the bottom with your fingers. Keep peeling leaves until you see about a half inch / 1cm of yellowish-white stem. There will probably be some light brown early roots against the stem. Press the top into some potting soil in a pot. Water, then water when it gets dry.

[WaterWitchin]

The native mulberry trees around here, leaves are about the size of a silver dollar for the most part. Most of the berries are full of little white worms. I used to eat the heck out of them as a kid... then my dad picked a bunch for grandma to make wine. She soaked them in a big bowl of water, and bajillions of tiny white worms came crawling out. Eating mulberries from trees after that? Ummm, not so much fun.

How about CompassPlant? Silphium laciniatum L.
Travelers on the prairies back in the day would use it to help track where they were headed. Mostly all leaves grow to the north and south, to avoid midday sun's heat.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Hahaha I have had that experience with the mulberries but it’s ants and I consider it extra protein lol. Ewwww but true

There are a LOT of mulberries it seems. I did a search and it is apparently an easy crossbreeder so there are a few types around based on geography etc

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

The native mulberry trees around here, leaves are about the size of a silver dollar for the most part. Most of the berries are full of little white worms. I used to eat the heck out of them as a kid... then my dad picked a bunch for grandma to make wine. She soaked them in a big bowl of water, and bajillions of tiny white worms came crawling out. Eating mulberries from trees after that? Ummm, not so much fun.

How about CompassPlant? Silphium laciniatum L.
Travelers on the prairies back in the day would use it to help track where they were headed. Mostly all leaves grow to the north and south, to avoid midday sun's heat.

Ew. The white worms part is just disgusting. But I guess you get... extra protein? I've eaten mulberries straight from the tree before, now I'm wondering if I have accidentally ingested tiny white worms... Hopefully not, last time I did that (Eating mulberries straight off the tree, not ingest tiny white worms!) was about a year ago.

I've never personally heard of compass plant. That's definitely cool.

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Hahaha I have had that experience with the mulberries but it’s ants and I consider it extra protein lol. Ewwww but true

Haha, extra protein for sure. In my experience of accidentally eating ants, I found that some aren't that noticeable. Hopefully this doesn't disgust anyone too much.

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Back on the topic, to add something relevant... umm, has the classic Mimosa pudica been brought up? They grow like weeds here, I have some clumps next to where I live. They have thorns, too, but in my experience they aren't too painful.

Impatiens seed pods are also cool. They can explode (although not violently, just a little pop) if something hits them hard enough. I like to flick them for fun, and they pop right off the plant. If I remember correctly, this strategy is used when rain hits the seed pod, and then the seeds can get scattered a nice distance away from the mother plant.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

Ew. The white worms part is just disgusting. But I guess you get... extra protein? I've eaten mulberries straight from the tree before, now I'm wondering if I have accidentally ingested tiny white worms...

I think I'll skip breakfast today (as well as lunch and night dinner).

[WaterWitchin]

Ants, no. Worms... hellsno.

[WaterWitchin]

How about Madagascar Jewel? It spontaneously explodes clear across the room... into your hair, into your food, all over the table, on the floor.....

[DirtyCoconuts]

wait, what???!?!

i am trying to find the name of this plant in my parents front yard that grows these huge balls od seed - like a giant spiked flail and then- pop- the shoot these enormous 'corn' shaped seeds...this plant is MASSIVE though, could never be indoors

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

wait, what???!?!

i am trying to find the name of this plant in my parents front yard that grows these huge balls od seed - like a giant spiked flail and then- pop- the shoot these enormous 'corn' shaped seeds...this plant is MASSIVE though, could never be indoors

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