Friend or foe? Plant or weed?
May 14, 2011 11:05 AM
I'm in Southern California and have a tiny patch of dirt, so over the past couple of years, we've been trying to grow random things, seemingly with no success, except recently, a bunch of stuff sprouted up. Please help ID these.
I'm trying to figure out what's a weed, and what's worth keeping.
At least one plant might be a cucumber plant. Then again, maybe not.
Mystery plant #1 apparently sprouted and grew about a foot and a half in a week or two.
Mystery plant #2 is about maybe 6" tall.
Mystery plant #3 is maybe 3" tall or so.
Mystery plant #4 is about 4-5" tall.
Mystery plant #5 is only about 2" tall.
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
I'm trying to figure out what's a weed, and what's worth keeping.
At least one plant might be a cucumber plant. Then again, maybe not.
Mystery plant #1 apparently sprouted and grew about a foot and a half in a week or two.
Mystery plant #2 is about maybe 6" tall.
Mystery plant #3 is maybe 3" tall or so.
Mystery plant #4 is about 4-5" tall.
Mystery plant #5 is only about 2" tall.
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
You should read the directions, join this group, and add your images to the group pool.
posted by cda at 11:14 AM on May 14, 2011
posted by cda at 11:14 AM on May 14, 2011
I think #4 may be a mallow.
If it is a cucumber it will have those spirally tendrils that hook around anything it can get to in order to climb.
It is usually very hard to identify a plant without seeing the flower. But you may get answers anyway from the Flickr group.
posted by cda at 11:22 AM on May 14, 2011
If it is a cucumber it will have those spirally tendrils that hook around anything it can get to in order to climb.
It is usually very hard to identify a plant without seeing the flower. But you may get answers anyway from the Flickr group.
posted by cda at 11:22 AM on May 14, 2011
#4 is mallow -- confirmed. Though it's purported to be edible, I tried eating the 'cheeses' (the seed pods) from the endemic patch in my garden, and all I ended up with was a mouth of fibrous plant stuff.
It's a noxious weed. Its taproot can be 18" long, or more. Get rid of it now before it takes over.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:06 PM on May 14, 2011
It's a noxious weed. Its taproot can be 18" long, or more. Get rid of it now before it takes over.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:06 PM on May 14, 2011
From my LA gardening experience, those are weeds. None of those is a cucumber plant.
From the tiny patch of dirt you've got, consider growing herbs. It's hard to screw up basil and rosemary. You can get'em at Home Depot. I could never get tomatoes to grow in a window pot.
If you want something super easy to grow, mustard greens or arugala.
posted by musofire at 12:08 PM on May 14, 2011
From the tiny patch of dirt you've got, consider growing herbs. It's hard to screw up basil and rosemary. You can get'em at Home Depot. I could never get tomatoes to grow in a window pot.
If you want something super easy to grow, mustard greens or arugala.
posted by musofire at 12:08 PM on May 14, 2011
Southern California gardener here. That's all stuff I weed from my yard...
posted by cecic at 1:02 PM on May 14, 2011
posted by cecic at 1:02 PM on May 14, 2011
Nthing weeds. My husband calls them "Creeping Charlies" and they are the bain of his existance.
posted by arishaun at 2:39 PM on May 14, 2011
posted by arishaun at 2:39 PM on May 14, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dortmunder at 11:12 AM on May 14, 2011