Topic: Caution! Aldi Blueberry bushes not for human consumption!

[shirlton]

Well we bought some 2 years ago and they have fruited this year. We have eaten them. I think that it must be the plant itself that isn't edible.

[brown thumb]

must be beetroot year hoping to make some wine with the spare has anyone madeit and isit  drinkable  oh ive gone off thread sorry  :-[

[irridium]

i bought the blueberry plant to replace the one that i lost from Wilko's (bought early spring) but now i've realised the Aldi ones aren't even labelled as which to which variety they are. Just rang C/S but to find out but they're not available at the w/ends. I think there's only one or two varieties that are self-fertile, so I'll have to buy another variety or two to get this one pollinated - altho' this might not be possible as they all have to be flowering in the same season!

nb. just remember peeps, Blueberries need acidic soil, so plant in a pot if your soil isn't right.

[Tee Gee]

Well I have been and bought another 5 plants this morning (total now eight)

Pointed out the information to the deputy manager and she just looked bewildered.

Possibly I put words into her mouth when I suggested that it is the plants that are inedible not the fruit they will eventually produce (hopefully) and she agreed.

Only time will tell!

Plants not quite as good quality as the ones bought yesterday but with a little TLC they should be OK.

They certainly look better than bare rooted specimens I have had in the past!

Will pot them up from 90mm pots  into 150mm diam and grow them on a bit before planting out in a couple of months time!

[Digeroo]

I don't know about the edibilityof the blueberry plant but the leaves of goji can be used to make tea under the name of the Duke of Argyll's tea tree.  

[Alex133]

It's got to be the plant itself that isn't edible - the nanny state thinks we are all so stupid we'll eat any old thing unless we're told not to!

[goodlife]

Most blueberries flower about same time so that is not a problem. If you just get one different variety, that should be enough to sort the pollination. Blueberries do crop without another variety..but the crop is greatly reduced.
I got some lovely big plants from B&Q last summer and they stocked several different kind then. Just be aware that different varieties do grow into very different size bushes..some can grow rather large...so labeled varieties are good idea if they are to go into pots.. ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Last time I bought a Phalaeonopsis, the label said 'Not for consumption'. I know marsh orchids were eaten at one time, but how many people eat their orchids nowadays?

[Fork]

It actually says "Plant not fit for human consumption"

[Twoflower]

  Have given up on my goji berry too, it's going to get grubbed up this autumn ::)

[bikegirllisa]

I bought a couple of the red gooseberry plants.  I will throw caution to the winds and eat the fruit, should any show up next year. ;D

[Vinlander]

If they are classed as unfit for eating then they are liable for VAT. If they are proper fruit bushes then they are zero-rated.

I can't think of any sensible reason for attracting VAT to something you are trying to sell - unless they charge you VAT and then pocket it...

But it would be a useful confirmation of edibility to check the VAT status.

Cheers.