tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post8051588628373512032..comments2024-03-29T03:52:48.960-05:00Comments on MrBrownThumb: Nicandra physaloides-Shoo-fly PlantMrBrownThumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-57563357379830565882013-08-29T04:49:04.820-05:002013-08-29T04:49:04.820-05:00They are interesting and something a bit different...They are interesting and something a bit different to grow in the garden. Here in Scotland they won't survive the first frost but the seeds can lay dormant in the ground for years, somewhat like poppy seeds. Given a warm spring/early summer they will then pop up out of seemingly nowhere. In warmer climates they could easily be a problem as each seed-head contains hundreds of seeds but the young plants are readily identified by the nettle shaped leaves with many small dark purpleish spots on them. They don't have a substantial taproot so are easily pulled out. I treat mine like tomato plants and start them off in the greenhouse. Once they are in bud and risk of frost is past then they can either be planted outside or kept in large pots as patio plants. They do need a fair bit of watering though. Dead head to avoid seed heads forming or just let them have their way and weed out any unwanted ones. Like tomateos they are also very easy to transplant once germinated. You can also get them to bush up a bit by nipping the tops out at about 18" (0.5m) highAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-35961050915902238402012-12-07T00:25:43.568-06:002012-12-07T00:25:43.568-06:00Yes, their spindly growth is normal. They're n...Yes, their spindly growth is normal. They're not a very full and bushy kind of plant from my experience. Good luck with your shoo fly plants. MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-73178821121735355042012-12-01T14:51:01.170-06:002012-12-01T14:51:01.170-06:00Here in New Zealand I have about 5 shoo fly plants...Here in New Zealand I have about 5 shoo fly plants growing in pots to hopefully stop the reseeding. I'm growing them especially for the insect repellent bonus on our decking area. They seem to be rather spindly, is that normal? I've grown them from seed and so far they seem to be pretty hardy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290706841525633303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-52422068142741954062011-03-17T16:56:11.473-05:002011-03-17T16:56:11.473-05:00Interesting to read about "Shoo fly" pla...Interesting to read about "Shoo fly" plant. I recently discovered one growing in my garden here in New Zealand. I had never seen one before and have no idea where it came from. Several peopel were unable to recognise it until a friend indentified it from a gardening book. I think I may try to seed some when our summer starts to end here in about a month. I grow a lot of swan plants to encourage the monarch butterflies and I have a lot of trouble with an orange coloured avid that loves to gather in the snaw plant branches. Perhaps the shoo-foy will discourage them.Kevin C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-18115378744845129642007-08-07T00:51:00.000-05:002007-08-07T00:51:00.000-05:00Kate,You're probably right it may not survive a wi...Kate,<BR/><BR/>You're probably right it may not survive a winter in your area. If you do try them let me know how they do.MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-61129695727577191632007-08-07T00:50:00.000-05:002007-08-07T00:50:00.000-05:00Hey connie,Thanks for stopping by and commenting.Hey connie,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by and commenting.MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-57886449288477033072007-08-06T14:22:00.000-05:002007-08-06T14:22:00.000-05:00It has a lovely flower! I have added your blog to ...It has a lovely flower! I have added your blog to my list of "Blogs I like to Visit."Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15539232387597508849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-7494420946248399142007-08-05T15:19:00.000-05:002007-08-05T15:19:00.000-05:00I saw these at a garden centre last year and almos...I saw these at a garden centre last year and almost bought them because I liked the shape of the flower. Maybe it's a good thing that I didn't get them, although I have a feeling that our winters would probably keep the seeds from germinating come springtime!katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03979577122006222781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-69395079211701892582007-08-05T14:04:00.000-05:002007-08-05T14:04:00.000-05:00Hey Curtis,You know I'd not heard of it myself unt...Hey Curtis,<BR/><BR/>You know I'd not heard of it myself until last year when I introduced it into my garden without knowing. Nice flower and I'm going to see if the milk trick works.<BR/><BR/>Crafty you can link to the post if you think it will be helpful to your readers and you don't have to ask in the future if you come across something that works with your blog.MrBrownThumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11326733084344581944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-60594176259946314182007-08-05T09:25:00.000-05:002007-08-05T09:25:00.000-05:00Interesting write up about the shoo-fly plant. I ...Interesting write up about the shoo-fly plant. I have some info on the seedpod and seed identification on my Sow Then Grow blog.<BR/>http://www.tiny.cc/ByKF2<BR/>I'd like to link your post to mine if that is okay.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02114199768103222510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14573299.post-31400203307916189542007-08-04T22:18:00.000-05:002007-08-04T22:18:00.000-05:00I haven't heard of this plant. Looks pretty, I can...I haven't heard of this plant. Looks pretty, I can see how people would want to bring it to their gardens after their visit to South America.Whyitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12243528765489096681noreply@blogger.com