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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: pigeonseed on July 23, 2010, 22:40:52
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That thread started by Betty about Bangladeshi veg got me thinking. I've got all nostalgic for the vegetables I saw when I went to uni in South India. As well as exotic unknowns like pink bananas, I was really thrown by the way the veg we eat just looked different.
- Carrots were a bit pink.
- Cucumbers were rugby ball shaped and yellow! (I now know these are Andhra Pradesh cucumbers called dosakai)
- And the onions were so beautiful - pink and pearly skinned. I had led a sheltered life and never seen an onion which wasn't brown before.
I would love to grow these things here - but I know it's silly. They are probably varieties bred specially to suit the local conditions. I did bring back some dosakai seeds and my mum tried to grow them in the greenhouse, but they didn't make it.
Has anyone ever tried to grow any of these in the UK? And how successful was it?
Dosakai photo (from www.summagallicana.it)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/pigeonseed/th_cetriolo20dosakai20India.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/pigeonseed/?action=view¤t=cetriolo20dosakai20India.jpg)
Indian pink carrots (from food.sulekha.com)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/pigeonseed/th_foodsulekhacom_carrot.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/pigeonseed/?action=view¤t=foodsulekhacom_carrot.jpg)
And pink onions (from tradeindia.com)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/pigeonseed/th_254.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/pigeonseed/?action=view¤t=254.jpg)
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Hiya
I'd love to know as well! And now you've got me thinking about all the other lovely fruit and veg in S India (lucky you for staying and studying there - I've managed holidays there :)).
I wonder for us here in the UK if you might be better looking at what grows further north?
Slightly off topic but I was going to ask you how you grow your mooli? I've been growing mine in crates filled with a mix of soil and sand. But wondered if I could try some in the ground, but then wonder about our clay soil!!
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- And the onions were so beautiful - pink and pearly skinned. I had led a sheltered life and never seen an onion which wasn't brown before.
Red onions? White onions?
The pink onions that you have posted look similar to the ones I am saving for seed :D
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Garden Organci are having an Exotic Crop Fair 3rd October. Thought I would give it a go
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/show_event.php?id=629
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Garden Organci are having an Exotic Crop Fair 3rd October. Thought I would give it a go
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/show_event.php?id=629
I'll be there :D
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I can`t see me ever managing to grow drumsticks in the UK but at least I can buy them from the Asian shops in Peterborough ;D
If anyone is planning to go to India soon let me know.
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If anyone is planning to go to India soon let me know.
There's a debate going on in our house at the moment - India or Laos/Cambodia for this winter (work commitments pending)...........................
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A couple of years ago I brought home some seeds from Thailand to try to grow them in the UK.
They all started off all right but none got to a decent result. Our summer was too short or too cool. I did not think it was worth trying again this year because it was a late start, taking ages to warm up. Perhaps with the hot and dry spell that followed things might have been different. But how were we to know?
It has gone back to an English Summer here again and there was, apparently even a touch of ground frost the other night.
Not only do we get cooler summers but we have different light. In the countries nearer to the equator they get 12 hours dark and 12 hours light. So even growing under cover the long hours of daylight we get confuses the plants causing some to bolt and go to flower and seed.
I rather think that with the price exotic imported vegetables fetch in specialist shops, if a grower could get them to grow in the UK they would be doing it.
I am sticking to growing what I know works here now. But might just try one or two bits again. The growing gremlin will raise his voice and get me at it no doubt.
Harvest so far of good old British fruit and veg has exceeded every year before and a delightful amount of stuff is making the freezer bulge. So, as me grandma used to say, be grateful for what you have.
I was told, when I was in Thailand, that there are things THEY would love to grow and can not because it is too hot. A lady told me she wanted to grow Leeks and Sweet peas (I know you can not eat Sweet Peas but they smell wonderful. The lady who wanted to grow them had a garden full of exotic orchids and a hedge of Bananas where we would have a privet hedge) Strawberries too she said they find it hard to grow.
I suppose it is like everything else, we all want what we can not have.
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A couple of years ago I brought home some seeds from Thailand to try to grow them in the UK.
Just a quick question - do we not have strict laws on what organic stuff like seeds you are allowed to bring into the country? I have bought bulbs in Holland and was given a certificate to show customs in the UK.
Meg
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Many of the seed merchants here sell seeds from all over the world Thailand is one of them. I can buy seeds for most things. Usually it is possible to find what you are looking for, Obviously it would not be possible to grow everything but by picking short season varieties you can get close.Many immigrants bring seeds from their home lands, it is surprising what we can get our hands on.
Baker Creek sell quite a few Indian and Thai seeds.
I am growing a pink onion this year.
XX Jeannine
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Red onions? White onions?
No, as I say, I had led a very sheltered life! That was in the mid-90s as well, and I think that we've become more used to different coloured veg since then. Especially if you grow your own, which I didn't in those days.
What kind are you saving for seed, aj?
as me grandma used to say, be grateful for what you have.
Yes PurpleHeather, I do agree with you. And I do appreciate English veg too. It's just that the culture shock of being somewhere so different means that I've stored a lot of memories of that time.
Of course, if I was living in India, I'd be wishing the onions were brown and the carrots were orange!
And I would miss strawberries. Apples also don't do well in South India. Sometimes as a treat, people would buy an apple, all wrapped in paper, a real exotic fruit, to be sliced and handed round. People like what's rare!
Jeannine - can we buy from Baker Creek in the UK? I'll have a look at their website.
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Slightly off topic but I was going to ask you how you grow your mooli? I've been growing mine in crates filled with a mix of soil and sand. But wondered if I could try some in the ground, but then wonder about our clay soil!!
Sorry 1066, I forgot to answer your question.
I grew them direct in the ground, and I don't think they got any help at all on the heavy clay. It had been well dug, because it had potatoes on it previously. In the garden I also sowed some but they grew slowly and were tough and some didn't bulk up. Maybe a mineral deficiency or the ground was too dry. I did get leaves from them though.
The mooli were great - so easy and they just lurked there in the freezing rain and wind all winter, I just went down and pulled a couple up when we wanted some. It was only when it really froze around Christmas that they went mushy.
So I wouldn't bother mollycoddling them at all!
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Yup.I did check the DEFRA site, after importing....as it happens.
Apparently seeds into the UK from anywhere are fine so long as you do not exceed a certain quantity which far exceeds what a hobby gardener would need.
I would point out that a lot of fruit which is imported for cooking contains seeds. Roots, like ginger can be propagated.
The things which cause problems are plants which might have a bug in them and of course soil which cold be contaminated with all sorts.
If any one is wondering about growing illegal substances from imported seeds, then the fact is that whilst seeds are fine to import, if you grow from the seeds, then it is the plant which could be illegal.
I am trying to explain this by not naming certain plants. In the past , people have managed to innocently grow controlled substances from imported bird seed
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I had a look at Baker's Creek site, it has some interesting ones - such a variety of climates in one country! They have short-day onions which look a lot like Indian ones.
They say they will send abroad, but customers have to check their own import regs.
I don't want to waste energy growing things which are sickly in our climate. If I try anything it might be a cooking cucumber, like the dosakai. I'm growing sikkim this year (thanks to grannyjanny!) I wonder if that's good for cooking. It's Indian (just)!
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Soory PH but not all seeds are allowed in the UK even in small amounts. Defra stopped a parcel to me a couple of years ago and gave me options as to what to do with some seeds
Some seeds were OK and they released them straight away. brassicas, squash
others were OK with a sanitary certificate if the seller would do one and is expensive, tomatoes , corn
Some where not allowed in under any circumstances.. I had TPS and they had to be destroyed.
It was explained to me by Defra that at the moment(2008) Defra were not checking all parcels coming into the UK.. they were checking anything that came through Parcelpost but regular mail was OK, the others would be checked eventually though
The company I bought from had put a label on the outside clearly stating the entire contents of the package.
The small risk of being stopped would never stop me from ordering though.
I have only ever had that 1 experience, everything else I purchased when over there had no problem getting though.
Pigeon Seed,Baker Creek are an excellent company to buy from,postage is very reasonable, free seeds too. Jare who owns the company is very highly regarded. Highly thought of by me!!
XX Jeannine
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Garden Organci are having an Exotic Crop Fair 3rd October. Thought I would give it a go
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/show_event.php?id=629
Sounds a super day out, wish I lived closer :-\
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What worries me about importing seeds, especially from some continents, is that they may be genetically modified or even unwittingly contaminated by GM....
There was a study, can't remember whether it was in the rareseeds catalogue or wildgardenseeds who are both very much opposed, showing just how much unintentional contamination there was in sweetcorn.
Someone offered to get me a load of seeds from China - no way!
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thanks Pigeonseed I'll give that a go
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But you have got me thinking, 1066 - maybe I was just lucky, I wonder whether I should add anything to the soil. Do you add manure for radish? I thought it might be like carrots, and would grow forked roots.
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No to manure on the beds where there are radish etc. I think your thinking is right (if you see wat I mean!!)
I think I'll give them a try in one of my crates and some in the ground and see what happens :)
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It was explained to me by Defra that at the moment(2008) Defra were not checking all parcels coming into the UK.. they were checking anything that came through Parcelpost but regular mail was OK, the others would be checked eventually though
The company I bought from had put a label on the outside clearly stating the entire contents of the package.
They normally check one parcel in 30, and go by what's on the label. The other 29 parcels go through unscrutinised, and I can't imagine that's likely to change due to the expense of the extra staff. Evidently they open some parcels which declare seeds, unless it actually stated 'potato seeds' on the label. I've imported several hundred packages of ancient coins, and only had to pay duty the odd couple of times. I've never had one opened.
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Yes I totally agree Robert, the man I spoke to (Andrew)was quite nice, he even said that he had allotment connection and that some folks have their seeds sent to friends in Holland who apparently are quite lenient,and then from Holland to the UK. Coming from Holland seeds are fine into the UK, So it shows you waht can be got round.
I often wonder where my box of seeds ended up.
Regarding the worry of accidently importing GMO seeds. All the seed houses I deal with are dead against it and clearly state that.
I often get requests for useful seed merchants over here.. I think I will start a posting on it
XX Jeannine
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i don't want to be a party-pooper, but if there are diseases which could affect crops in the country, should we be trying to evade customs checks?
I say that, having already admitted I brought Indian cucumber seeds into the country, when I of course had no idea about whether they would nuke our own cukes ! ;D
Luckily they died quietly, and the great cucumber plague did not descend.
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Seeds are normally OK, it's plants, tubers and bulbs which are dodgy. There are much stricter restrictions on them, with good reason.
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I suppose they might also be guarding against invasive species - but most of our veg crops can't stand our winters anyway.
I am tempted by trying bitter gourd. But I reckon it will need a very sunny corner of my garden. I think the allotment is too exposed, on a hill down to the sea.
Has anyone tried it? (am I being fanciful, given that I haven't even managed a cucumber so far this year?!)
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I agree with protecting a country for disease etc by banning anthing which might interfere with their crops, but....
The EU list of allowables is preventing growers from producing veggies that for generations have been grown in the UK. To the best of my knowledge they have not been dropped off the list because they threatened harm, therefore it is not a protection issue.
Further there is nothing to stop you growing them and surely they would if it were the case that they were harmful,what you can't do is sell them.
You can of course get them from seedsavers if you are a member as they give them to you for free, part of the membership fee covers the cost, and the association is covered as they are not selling, they are giving, and there is no law against giving.
Therefore I say yes, we should hope for no customs checks, if the seeds are being pulled out because of the EU list.
My own view is the list should be scrapped, that way folks could grow any variety of carrot or tomato that they wanted.Then customs could open parcels, see that it only contained allowable things. If there was a list of things not allowed for crop protection etc, then if a parcel contained those then those items could be confiscated.
I have never yet heard a logical reason why veggies where put on the EU list in the first place.
Does it really make sense that I can buy seeds to grow a Gardeners Delight tomato but I cannot buy seeds to grow an Abe Lincoln. It makes no sense to me or most others I would think and if a ruling makes no sense then folks will usually ignore it.
XX Jeannine
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I didn't know anything about this EU list. I must check that out. Thanks Jeannine.
And I've just seen a post from you on an old thread about bitter gourds
need temps of 70f day and 60f at night.Do not disturb roots when transplanting.
So that sounds hot. hang on I'll look up a conversion... 60 = 15 celcius. That's ok in summer here. 70 = 21-ish. I think that's normal.
Maybe I should give it a go!
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Don't buy seeds of you haven't alreaxy I think can give you some..if I still have them they came from Baker Creek,if you look on there site and tell me which ones you were after I may have them XX Jeannine
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Don't buy seeds as I have a packet of bitter gourd however I don't know how viable they are (given to me my someone who buys seeds but rarely uses them). Tried chitting some this year but only with limited success. Plants did not seem to like me.
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Therefore I say yes, we should hope for no customs checks, if the seeds are being pulled out because of the EU list.
I don't think the EU list prevent people getting seeds in seed swaps from abroad. It prevents seed companies from selling seeds varieties which are not on the list. Since it costs money to register a variety if it is not sold enough then they do not pay so it gets dropped from the list. It cost £2000 to register.
It has been the mission of the HSL to save some of these from extinction.
There are a number of seed companies such as Real Seeds and Beans and Herbs which work on a membership basis, so do not actually sell the seeds. There is supposed to be some kind of relaxation to allow regional varieties. But I do not know if/when this is due to happen.
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Bitter gourd/karela . Does anyone actually like it? I sometimes eat it as it`s a `wonder food`and I`m type two diabetic. But as a crop to grow?-now and again maybe but it`s not something I would rave about
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I like karela! It's bitter and yet that's why I like it!
I resorted to ordering some dried karela online - you fry it, and it makes these strange crisps that look like cogs. But they were delicious with rice. Friends who tried them liked them as well, and so did my toddlers! (Very weird the things toddlers like and hate, though, I've given up second guessing)
Thanks jeannine and lottie lou - that really is such a kind offer! I prefer any of the knobbly Indian type of ones, rather than the Chinese smooth ones - but only because the knobbly ones look right for something that tastes so bitter. I would be grateful for anything you can spare me - smooth or knobbly.
Lottielou - I read somewhere that germination is a bit erratic, and they might need soaking or something. So it might be why yours didn't work so well?
I don't know how long they stay viable. But I'm happy to experiment!
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just out of curiosity want veg/crop that are grow as common native crop in India can be grown in UK. what the types of these crops would you would interested in. I am sure chili's would be on some of your lists. But what others is the real good question. I have no real idea my self since have never been to India and have not had much contact with there food culture.
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Nickys-nursery seeds do the Crystal Lemon Cucumber - it looks very similar to your dosakia. We grew it last year and it did well in the greenhouse. Its round, yellow and you can eat it just like a fruit (or a cucumber even!).
(http://www.vegplantsonline.com/stock_images/cucumber_crystal_lemon.jpg)
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I think growing things in the shelter of your garden will be fine Piegeonseed - for instance my peppers on the plot are postively miserable but the ones in the garden are nice and healthy, the garden just doesn't get the battering that the plot does (regardless of windbreaks)
So go for it ;D
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Abigail I think the seeds are chinese - but so am I
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Oh Lottie Lou are you seriously, that is great,..how long in the UK.. so can you answer questions about Chinese veggies and recipes etc.
XX Jeannine
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Are you from China Lottie Lou (sounds like a stupid question, but you know there are people who are Chinese from Malaysia, England etc)
GodfreyRob - yes I've seen that cucumber in pics before. It does look similar.
Plainleaf - I don;t even really know what I want either! Yes you're right, chillies are definitely popular there! After i started this thread, I kept thinking of all the veg we already grow which are the same. Like chillies, coriander, and sikkim cucumbers. Even potatoes for goodness sake!
In fact of course in North India, they grow lots of very similar things - they seem to eat tons of cauliflower. Which I'm not fond of and seems sooo unexotic!
I think next year I will try chillies again - no fruit so far this year. And if I get some sikkim cucs (which are all male flower so far :( ) then I will try seed-saving and grow them again. And I will add a bitter gourd as well. That should be enough South Asian veg experimentation for one year!
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My Mam is moving to Bangladesh in a week, she is on strict orders to source all manner of exotic seed. I'll share with anyone that's interested.
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Moving too or visiting, reason I ask is that she wiil have so much more time to hunt things down if she is going for a long time.
XX Jeannine
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I'll share with anyone that's interested.
ooo yes :)
I'm also interetsed to hear what people have to say about the day at Ryton, what was there, the sellers, the swaps etc. Sounds like a lovely day, just to far for me
1066 :)
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That's exciting for your mam, Amphibian. Is she from Bangladesh originally? Otherwise I can't imagine a mum moving so far! (I'm thinking of my mum who doesn't like to travel more than half an hour in any direction :) )
I've got colleagues who work in Dhaka regularly. I could ask them as well. Not that they will necessarily bump into many packets of seed in the middle of Dhaka!
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What about growing from seeds from veggies, we have an oriental supermarket that is packed with fresh produce, I often think of getting stuff to grow XX Jeannine
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Yes, my Mam, is moving to Bangladesh to live. I'm used to it, it's what she does. In recent years she has lived in Thailand, China, Italy and from next week Bangladesh
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Yes, my Mam, is moving to Bangladesh to live. I'm used to it, it's what she does. In recent years she has lived in Thailand, China, Italy and from next week Bangladesh
Wow - supermam!
What about growing from seeds from veggies, we have an oriental supermarket that is packed with fresh produce, I often think of getting stuff to grow
Yes are you going to try that, Jeannine? The thing is don't we tend to eat stuff before it's ripe enough? I think dudhi/bottle gourds and bitter gourds are both eaten while immature.
But people save seed from shop-bought tomatoes, don;t they?
I grew a lemon plant from a pip. Mind you, 10 years later it's still about 20cm tall...
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the Pakistani guy who worked with me used to hate bitter gourd curry. He'd come into work looking extremely miserable after it, and he knew he was having the same thing heated up next day :D
His mum used to make it a lot, as it's supposed to be good for diabetics, which his dad was.
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I will go through my stash of gourds and bitter s tonight and post what I have spare..I think it was in the post from a few weeks ago but can't remember how mnay were left.
I am off to buy lobster today from the Oriental supermarket called T&T so I will look at what is in the produce dept, they sell all sorts of stuff, not only Oriental
XX Jeannine
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totally off topic but amphibian is your mam (or are you) welsh, I always associate Mam with Wales :)
Anyway bon voyage amphibian's mam, may she bring back many seeds ;D ;D ;D
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Off-topic is good - a good conversation must be allowed freedom to roam!
mam is northern sometimes as well. My mum is from Lancashire and she says it and my sister lives in the the North East her kids call her mam as well. Cute innit?
And Jeannine - thank you so much!
pigeonseed x
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totally off topic but amphibian is your mam (or are you) welsh, I always associate Mam with Wales :)
Anyway bon voyage amphibian's mam, may she bring back many seeds ;D ;D ;D
Yes I am Welsh, my Mam though, is Irish.
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Oops sorry I forgot to look. will do that today XX Jeannine
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OH born & raised in cheshire & it was always mam.
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I think it's cos I have Welsh family and friends that I always associate it with Wales :)
1066 :)