RE: Leonotis menthifolia and others

Hi Rod!  Glad I asked before I planted.  I think I'll let the silybum go
the way of the compost.  I had no idea it was such a pest and I feel
strongly about not introducing problematic plants into the landscape.  Wish
the herb farm had been more responsible with this one.

I'll try the leonotis, I already grow it's cousin L. leonurus and though it
is weedy, I find that I can keep it mostly under control.

Thanks for the warnings!

Nan

______

>Hello Nan,
>nice little selection of weeds there friend
>Silybum marianum would have to be the worst although the Leonurus
>is fairly problematic in the US as well.
>
>My suggestion is grow the Silybum by all means but cut the flowers off
>before they seed!
>These plants were quite popular in Victorian England, as were a lot of
>thistles,
>it makes quite a statement with its huge spikes and the massive spiky flower
>heads.
>Not quite as big as the heraldic or Scotch Thistles though (Onopordum
>acanthium).
>The first flower is always the best and biggest, we did seed production
>trials
>and it good conditions can grow to 3 metres (11 feet) and produce 1000 plus
>seed.
>They will tolerate some shade but are more robust (less leggy) in full sun.
>The seed remain dormant for years and the rosettes can be a half metre
>across in good soil.
>
>Your Leonotis I know little about, there are some weedy Leonotis species
>though.
>
>As long as you keep the seed under control and prevent them getting into
>your soil
>enjoy them, unless you have an aversion to very spiky plants.
>When we harvested the flower heads just prior to seed release we used thick
>leather gloves
>the spikes still got through them, best to find someone else to do it for
>you,
>it was always my job to pick them  off and place into the bag as I had the
>hardest hands...
>my small clamim to fame
>
>rod
>~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
>Rod Randall
>Weed Risk Assessment
>Weed Science Group, Agriculture Western Australia
>
>                 "I weed..."
>~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
>
>> ----------
>> From: 	Nan Sterman
>> Reply To: 	nsterman@mindsovermatter.com
>> Sent: 	Friday, 16 July 1999 2:16 AM
>> To: 	medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
>> Subject: 	Leonotis menthifolia and others
>>
>> Hi there, I took a trip to the local herb farm and came back with some
>> plants that are new to me an for which I have found very little info.  Can
>> anyone tell me about the culture conditions, size, water requirements of:
>>
>> Leonotus menthefolia
>> Leonurus cardiaca
>> Silybum marianum
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Nan
>> **********
>> '''''''''''''''''''''''
>> Nan Sterman
>> San Diego County California
>> Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
>>

**********
'''''''''''''''''''''''
Nan Sterman
San Diego County California
Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
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