silim
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:01 pm

Looking for KUDZU seeds

Can one of you good folks from the South spare a couple Kudzu seeds and mail them to me? I'd like to grow a vine or two indoors to liven up my college dorm.

cynthia_h
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 7500
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 7:02 pm
Location: El Cerrito, CA

Kudzu is classified as an invasive and noxious plant, meaning that growing/cultivating it is *not* desireable, in the states shown in this map:

https://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/map/pumol.htm

It is worthy of the scorn, derision, derogation, and downright hate that people heap upon it. Please do not grow this plant; its very introduction into the United States was a terrible mistake, as the info related to the map will tell you.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9 (former resident of Texas, Florida, and Georgia)

a0c8c
Greener Thumb
Posts: 706
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:00 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Kudzu produces low level ozone(nitric oxide) which is toxic for humans. You'll basically be lowering your air quality beloew safe levels in your dorm room. Very bad idea.

https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10119315.stm

the greenest
Full Member
Posts: 47
Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 10:47 pm
Location: southeast usa

IT CONSIDERED A VERY INVASIVE PLANT I WOULD NOT GROW IT IF I WERE YOU :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

Wuzzley
Newly Registered
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 5:14 pm
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Interesting to consider it as an indoor plant. With the right conditions (like the hot humid south) this plant eats whole states. It did save Georgia from washing into the sea, but there is a price to pay for everything.

In England it is used as a very slow growing ornamental vine and is considered quite nice and tame (because of the climate).

If you do grow it as a house plant, hopefully an open window will be your best bet. I highly doubt it will take over your room, dorm or state from a small container and limited resources. Good luck.

[img]https://www.ediblegeography.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Kudzu-infestation.jpg[/img]

LindsayArthurRTR
Green Thumb
Posts: 527
Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 10:41 pm
Location: South Carolina, Upstate

That pic is what every valley and open space looks like in SC thanks to kudzu. Bare dead trees covered in dripping mounds of the stuff. We even have labeled Kudzu control sites where the state is testing new ways to manage it. It's just bad stuff...It strangles everything it grows on and is very, VERY difficult to control.

mike_88
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:49 pm
Location: georgia

silim wrote:Can one of you good folks from the South spare a couple Kudzu seeds and mail them to me? I'd like to grow a vine or two indoors to liven up my college dorm.
so has anyone actually sent you any kudzu seeds yet? everyone here seems to belittle you about wanting to grow kudzu. honesty I could see why you would want kudzu in your dorm.

User avatar
Kisal
Mod Emeritus
Posts: 7646
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:04 am
Location: Oregon

Kudzu flowers allegedly contain a substance that reduces binge drinking, but there have only been 10 studies that I could find. They were all small (20 or fewer participants) and, IMO, poorly designed. Most of the data supporting this effect of kudzu is based on anecdotal reports.

I also found information online that promoted the use of kudzu root for the same purpose, but even the few studies which purported to test that theory denied finding any verifiable evidence in support. JMO. :)

User avatar
applestar
Mod
Posts: 31012
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

I think in Macrobiotic diet, there are all kinds of health benefits ascribed to kudzu root starch. I wonder why harvesting them was never considered -- aside from the fact that the existing kudzu has already been "treated" a number of times as to be quite toxic.... :?

yama
Senior Member
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:10 am
Location: Salem, MA

Hi all
kadzu roots produce high quality of starch and using for sweets for tea ceremony.( it is very expensive) Tip of kadzu vine can cook/make tempura. Kadzu is forging plant to feed cow ,horse goat.
Kadzu root have been using to treat cold. It is good Basket making material.
Speaking of poison, I ahev not heard any Japanese died by kadzu.
Lime, potato, mango are also poisoness plant. mole bean is one of poioness plant on list, but we have been used as medecine.foxgrove is same.
I won't tell where and name of company. Japanese company growing kadzu to grow for starch production.

Barbarry was used for treat eye ploblem, Nandina was also used as medecine. Japanese knot weed are very tastety in spring. chick weed also edable
Cameleon plant which use as ground cover( sorry can't sepe botanical name) also on list of invasive plant but Japaners health department list as medecinal plant. It works to regulate blood presure,skin problem,fresh leve can treat headach. Japanese call it " Dokudami"
A old Japanese made wine with cameleon plant and he said spring came back. Not March , April, May spring. He ment like an aphrodisiac effect :D
It is much cheaper than commercial drugs. You need to lean how to make one.
So all invasive plants are not bad as you think. Specialy from Japan. 8)

Yama

yama
Senior Member
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:10 am
Location: Salem, MA

oops I forgot.
Kadzu can be propagate by cutting easly.
Kadzu din't came to US by accident. USDA improted from Japan. :shock:
yama



Return to “Seed Exchange - Share & Trade Seeds”