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Can you identify these mystery ‘cuckoo’ seedlings and win a wildlife friendly prize?

 

argave and mystery plantlets

Photo: Agave and mystery plantlets

Help!

I bought this agave plant from the wayside stand outside the secret garden last autumn. Yes, I know that it’s hard to see it as the “cuckoo” seedlings are rearing to go. All plants, whatever the value are 40p (33p if you buy three, which I always do). So I was delighted with this bargain. Agaves are great. Just ask S and The Chicken Lady – they have loads of argaves. And I agree with them.  A good argave in a hot summer is a perfect focal point in a garden.

This new agave was coddled in the greenhouse this winter and for the last four months has hosted these mystery ‘cuckoo’ seedlings. They were strong from the moment that they appeared. So beefy that I thought that they might be tree seedlings. Now I’m not so sure. Could they be babies of a superb and rare shrub?

The secret garden is a wonderful place full of  unusual plants. So I’m loathe to toss the seedlings into the compost bin without asking the experts.  I’ve traipsed the Internet looking for clues as to what these seedlings could be and drawn a complete and utter blank. I must admit the red stems are intriguing – if they had had green stems I might have ignored the call to arms and tossed them.

Photo: Close up of plantlets

If you can point me in the right direction (photos and description) a small but very wildlife friendly mystery prize awaits the first person to identify these seedlings correctly.

The  challenge starts now!


  Leave a reply

21 Comments

  1. My vote goes to the Balsam too!

  2. lindam

    I tend to think that its is Celosia as well but since that was taken, I’m going to venture in with the Amaranth family, maybe even “love lies bleeding”. Some information here: http://www.missouriplants.com/Greenalt/Amaranthus_spinosus_page.html

  3. brightspark

    …… or could it be a Celosia?
    When it flowers, it’ll be more easily identifiable, but if it is Himalayan balsam, then the plant is best destroyed before it can spread it’s seeds.

  4. Joanna

    I agree with Beccy and Wendy, it looks like Himalayan balsam and if so would need burning, it is very invasive.

  5. Wendy

    If it is Himalayan Balsam (and it certainly looks like it), you need to burn it, not put it on the compost heap. It’s not as scary as Japanese knotweed, but you certainly don’t want it to grow in your garden – it will steal space from your other plants.

  6. Magic Cochin

    Looks like Becky got the ‘Starter for 10″!
    Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) invasive exotic, fast-food for bees, rampant invader.

    A fairy light touch will catapult its seeds far and wide – even into soil around nearby newly potted on plants!

    Celia

  7. Catofstripes

    Your picture is very small but I’m fairly sure they are Impatiens seedlings.

    They might be this

    http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/102.htm

    Impatiens niamniamensis which is a tender species known as the parrot impatiens. It’s a very strong grower when it’s happy.

  8. Beccy

    and if it is Himalayan Balsam you can eat the seeds

    http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/himalayan-balsam-seed-curry-recipe

  9. Beccy

    here’s a description:

    http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/63105.aspx

  10. Beccy

    Is it Himalayan Balsam? I’ve got some on the riverbank behind my back wall and it looks similar.

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