Topic: Caper spurge/mole plant

[robinaber]

My brother has a problem with moles and thought he would try this plant. He is trying to raise them from seed and is having problems with germination. Has anyone any tips or know anywhere where he can buy the plants by mail order?

[chriscross1966]

Eh?.... my folks got one 20 years ago and now it's an annual fight trying to keep it under control.....

[Baccy Man]

Euphorbia lathyris can take up to 3 weeks to germinate is your brother being patient enough.
If it comes to it you can buy plants from:
http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/garden_plants/mole_plants/

[artichoke]

It's amazing how universal this plant's reputation is. In France I saw a huge one in the middle of an otherwise immaculate  veg plot and asked my host why it was there (horrible thing, huge and invasive - I knew the answer but wanted to know what he would say).

"C'est contre les taupes" - against the moles.....

Fortunately my plants are long dead. Never had the slightest effect.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Moles seem to be fussy about where they live. They've been in exactly the same restricted area in the University Parks in Oxford since the 1960's at least. So if you don't have them, don't worry till they arrive!