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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: peasmad on September 08, 2010, 09:09:56

Title: himalayan balsam
Post by: peasmad on September 08, 2010, 09:09:56
Hi folks,
been off air for a while. but back now. I read on the net that the seeds from the himalayan balsam were edible, so tried some. wow, like walnuts. made a fruit loaf with some of the seeds in, really nice.  what a way to control infestations.
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: saddad on September 08, 2010, 21:00:42
If you are still posting next week I might consider it....  ;D
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: cjb02 on September 08, 2010, 21:06:13
and honey bees love the flowers. loaded with pollen and nectar. great plant
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: Digeroo on September 08, 2010, 21:15:31
Quotegreat plant

Not when it becomes the only plant on the banks of rivers and there is no other plant in sight  There needs to be a coordinated effort of eradication. 
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: sawfish on September 08, 2010, 23:38:43
Quote from: Digeroo on September 08, 2010, 21:15:31
Quote

Not when it becomes the only plant on the banks of rivers and there is no other plant in sight  There needs to be a coordinated effort of eradication. 

hear hear
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 09, 2010, 18:17:20
It's the largest annual found in the UK, and it swamps everything else.
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: cjb02 on September 10, 2010, 21:10:50
I still love it and so do my bee's
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: greenstar on September 10, 2010, 22:23:28

"Not when it becomes the only plant on the banks of rivers and there is no other plant in sight  There needs to be a coordinated effort of eradication. "

Let's eat all the seeds then!  I'm off to find some tomorrow.
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: chriscross1966 on September 10, 2010, 23:49:20
If the seeds of that monstrosity taste liek walnuts I'm in... cos it's way easier to find HB than a decent walnut tree in a public space.....

chrisc
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: cjb02 on September 11, 2010, 08:44:40
I think I might just go and find some seeds and try them though. tasting like walnuts does sounds nice
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 11, 2010, 18:47:40
First catch your seed. what do you do, bag the flowers?
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: cjb02 on September 11, 2010, 22:07:18
no bag the seed pods before the explosion. just stick a bag over the seed heads very carefully and then tap. then you have seeds in a bag
Title: Re: himalayan balsam
Post by: greenstar on September 12, 2010, 16:10:05
or make it a competition amongst the kids - got handfuls from the park this morning.  Tasty, but I wouldn't want to eat loads of them on their own - might be good mixed in with other seeds, or in bread?