Re: poke

In a message dated 1/13/03 3:10:15 AM Eastern Standard Time, mtalt@hort.net 
writes:


Deer will nibble on the younger leaves, but don't really keep the
plants in check.  I've never seen any insect damage (more's the pity)
and don't know of anything that eats it nor have I seen disease
problems.  It prefers sun but will grow in deep shade, albeit not
very lustily...but it grows and flowers and sets seed on plants only
a foot or two tall.

Marge,

There is no justice sometimes. Poke is a toxic plant and if there were some 
justice it would send a few deer to deer heaven but they survive it.  They 
also survive Kalmia which kills sheep and goats.  Something I suppose about 
the native beast evolving with the native plant.  Still I am no lover of poke 
once I found the seedlings in cultivated space.  The berries stain everything 
they touch and are positively dangerous to small children.  

The native plant grown in competition with other equally strong plants, 
usually field grasses is not as rampant.  Along the roadsides it is 
fertilized by the tons of chemicals distributed all winter and when spring 
comes it rises quickly and with super health.  Plants more desirable are 
killed by road chemicals.  White pines are severely damaged and maples 
develop a wasting disease - poke comes on like gangbusters.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

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