RE: great balls of fire!


The following is Tim Longville's  response to Bills first posting on this
plant in October 98
I think Tim should have the last word.
Rod

"Bill Grant wrote asking about the ultimate spread of P. baldsch. The answer
is: almost infinite. At least in a cool and mild climate like mine on the
Cumbrian Solway in the UK. I had to take it out in the end because it wanted
the whole garden to itself.  It had covered a building 15'x15' and a wall
15'x50' and seemed to have no inclination to stop. It was also INSIDE the
building and its anaconda stems were groping around looking to strangle
anyone who entered it (the blanched whiteness of those stems  as produced by
the unlit interior were pretty scary for those who weren't expecting them,
too). It seems to 'prefer' (!) moist and semi-shaded conditions here - at
least it seems to flower rather more extravagantly there than in full sun:
and for much longer. Don't know how that would translate in California? But
it will grow and it will flower just about everywhere. I'd say, just give it
time. And space. And, maybe, aim to buy a second house/garden. For yourself.

Tim Longville"


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Rod Randall
Weed Risk Assessment
Weed Science Group, Agriculture Western Australia

                 "I weed..." 

Weed Science Group Home Page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/

Weed Risk Assessment Home Page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/weedsci2.htm

Weed Activity Calender:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/calendar.htm

WeedBusters Home page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/buster/buster.htm

Plant Protection Society & Western Weeds Homepage:
http://www.wantree.com.au/~weeds/

 ph: 08 9368 3443
fax: 08 9474 3814
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> ----------
> From: 	William A. Grant
> Reply To: 	grant@cruzio.com
> Sent: 	Tuesday, 27 July 1999 11:25 AM
> To: 	medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
> Subject: 	great balls of fire!
> 
> Over a year ago I planted Polygonum baldschuanicum under a coastal oak in
> my
> garden. No water, no attention. I looked today and what did I see? It had
> climbed to the top of the tree (18-20 ft) and was descending everywhere.
> In
> fact, in some places it had landed on the ground and was crawling in all
> directions."Quick, John, the Flit." (You have to be over 60 to get that
> allusion.)
> There are no blossoms (when do they arrive?). It is as healthy as all
> getout.
> Can you tell me anything about your experience with it? Will it bloom?
> Obviously I do not need help on its cultivation. I know it is sometimes
> called 'Mile a Minute Vine' or 'Russian Disaster'. Should I be concerned?
> Sorry, it is from Iran and not the Med. But help, please. Bill Grant,
> central California coast.
>
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