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RE: Is the UK so much different? Re: Hi, introduction + question(poppies)




I think that the US law is kinder to growers of opium poppies than to
growers of hemp -- even for fiber. My understanding is that it is illegal
to sell opium seeds, but not to grow the opium poppies. I've seen them
growing here in the east in gardens -- they're prettier than many other
poppies -- and out west in Washington state. They seed around easily. It
would be hard to get rid of them all.

Speaking of hemp, I've heard that there's a "Johnny Hempseed", or a group
of them, spreading Cannabis seeds in vacant lots and abondonded fields to
make it ubiquitous that it can't be eradicated. The purpose is to try to
establish hemp fiber agriculture, since it requires fewer pesticides
(perhaps none) than cotton. Not a bad idea if it would work out as
intended. Has anybody else heard about this?
Debby

Most likely these individuals are spreading the narcotic Cannabis, but
possibly some are spreading the low THC varieties too,   
it's a noble idea given the thousands of uses (by humans) for hemp, it is a
plant that everyone should be able to grow in their backyard garden. Over in
the Dakotas the Lakota (Sioux) have been nurturing some very diverse strains
of hemp for over half a century on their reserves. Some of these plants are
very well suited to growing wild unaided by human hands. Some of them have
seeds that are about a third the size of the hempseed that comes from China.
These plants represent the most wild hemp, not unlike the hemp that survives
up in the highest reaches in Japan, only growing to about 3 feet tall before
going to seed in a hurry so that can ensure the survival of their species.
Up here in British Columbia we are now harvesting our first legal hemp crops
in 60 years since elite individuals in the US decided it was against their
best interests to allow such a dynamic and easily grown plant to exist
legally. Next weekend we'll be harvesting some 10 feet tall plants for seed,
about 18 acres worth and in the presence of such huge plants one is easily
awed. In China at the turn of the century before agriculture and soil began
its decline they were growing plants from 15-25 feet, Kentucky farmers were
growing 2 crops a year of 7-10 feet tall plants for fibre. 

Perhaps the best way to establish seeds is with a method called "seedballs."
Has anyone tried this out yet, there's some good info at
http://www.seedballs.com . I've toyed with the idea of combining hemp seeds
with some different companions such as crimson clover, vetch, valerian,
lemon balm, yarrow, marigolds, chamomile (very few), dandelion, stinging
nettles and then combining them into these 1/2 inch seedballs (mixed seeds,
clay, water, sand) to establish stands that are self-seeding and soil
fertility sustaining in the hopes that I can wildcraft the hemp and all the
companions in a sustainable manner each year without having to add much in
the way of amendments or labor, except for love that is. I'm also
hypothesizing that our edible legumes (peas,beans,etc.) with their
nitrogen-fixing properties could be interplanted amongst the hemp and climb
the sturdy hemp stalks, as well as providing hemps insatiable need for
nitrogen. I hope I can pull this off next year. I'm curious what you guys
think about this plan? 
Regards, Conrad von Zirkwitz
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