Allotments 4 All

Grandma, I knew I had a photo somewhere, is this a teasel?

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Hi Squash64 - yes it is! Thanks so much for finding it - are there any seeds left inside? The only ones I've found locally are all empty so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks again - you're a star!  :) :) :)

I really am a twit!  :-[ Got all excited and didn't read your whole post - thought you had found a plant! I see now it's a photo for ID! Yes, it's a teasel so if you should find one on your travels........

Thanks again. xxx

Hi Grandma, I don't have any seed but I have got a couple of seedlings I could send. Not sure how they will manage in the post but they transplant around the garden ok.

They grow all over the place round here.  There are some lovely ones in the middle of the M4 junction 15, thought I do not fancy nipping over to get them. :o

I could have a look at mine if they still have seeds in them...I do hope so..I've got quite enough of plants now.. :-X ::)

This is an experiment, so if it don't  work,  well I tried. 

http://www.trowbridgemuseum.co.uk/cloth/fin_raiser.html

If someone could tell me how to do the "linky thing".     Cheers,    Tony.

You've done your 'linky thing' fine.. ;) ;D

Quote from: Grandma on September 25, 2011, 09:44:56
I really am a twit!  :-[ Got all excited and didn't read your whole post - thought you had found a plant! I see now it's a photo for ID! Yes, it's a teasel so if you should find one on your travels........

Thanks again. xxx

You're not a twit - I am!  I forgot to explain that it is growing on a friend's plot at the allotments.  I took a head off it this morning but it's been raining here so it might be best to let it dry out a bit.  I'll let you know if it's ok.

Grandma ive got a packet of bought seed somewhere if you would like some,OH isnt fussed on them so ive not sown any for the last few years

Sowed some wild flowers in the garden years ago and have had them ever since  ;)
The OH hates 'em but the gold finches love them,we don't see this little bird in our garden very often but several will come in at once when the teasels have seeds.

Until we had them growing in our garden we took in a dry plant from the lane.  During the winter we 'reloaded' the seed heads with niger seeds.   We used a washing up botlle with the hole drilled out larger to sprinkle the seeds.     Cheers,     Tony.

Thanks all of you - what a lovely lot of peeps you are!  :-*

Just to put you in the picture: I pinched a young plant with a flower head on it from my dad's garden. It moved successfully and I collected and sowed the seed and now have several clumps of non-flowering young plants around the garden.

I understand they are biennials, so although I should have plenty of 'goldfinch food' next year - (and seeds for a 2014 harvest) - I shall have nothing for the birds in 2013! :(

So -
Thanks, Jayb but I'm ok for young plants! x
Thanks, Elvis2003 and goodlife - if Squash 64's seed head doesn't do the business I'd love to take you up on your offer of a few seeds. x
Thanks, Kleftiwallah for the info. x
macmac I have lots of beautiful goldfinches but they're costing me a fortune in sunflower hearts so I thought I'd offer them teasel seeds as well! x
And thanks again, Squash64, let's hope your wet one produces the goods!  :-*

And Digeroo - if all else fails, it's off to junction 15 for you! x

Quick update! Darling daughter just presented me with a packet of Sutton's teasel seeds! How lucky am I!

Thanks again for all your help and kind offers.