Kudzu Vine Needed

[John_E_Dove]

I know that Kudzu has become a noxious weed in many parts of the south but it is an edible plant. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to ship me some root or seed, however it propagates, so I can plant some in my new summer outdoor Iguana enclosure.
I doubt it will grow in our desert climate given its love of water but I would like to try.

[ChadRamsey]

you understand that you will wake up one morning unable to move from the position in which slept in. You will be forever tangled in it. It you and the bed will live life as one unit. Part of the landscape of what used to be your room. As you lay motionless in your bed literally watching the kudzu grow around you, your iggy will be running across you in a literal field of glory.

If you understand this and are still will to take that risk pm me your address and i will be more than happy to send you to your fate!

	Iguana Iguana

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[MED04]

Brett teases me because I like kudzu. I can't wait until he sees someone asking for it! I'd be glad to find you some (it won't be hard...) if you're too scared to send Chad your address

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[John_E_Dove]

LOL, I knew some of you folks in the south would think I was a bit weird asking for this vine. I've seen it as I passed through when I have gone to Fla.
I know it likes lots of water so it won't get away from me in our desert climate. I am hoping that the misting system of the outdoor cage will be enough water for it to survive here. Our normal rainfall is about 11 inches per year.
I'll gladly listen to any advice on how to grow it.

[Bluzmn59]

True story: a client was in here the other day with her little dog (I believe it was a Pomerianian). She told my wife that her dog had been outside and forgotten because it didn't come when called so she figured it must be in the house somewhere. When she finally went out to look for it much later, it was caught up in the kudzu. "Feed me, Seymour."

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[toker]

if my history of this nasty weed is correct, and honestly it would not supprise me if it isnt, but this is the way I heard the story...

Years ago some guy had an idea while over seas, he was thinking, this plant grows fast, I bet my cattle could eat it and I would not have to worry about feed. So here he comes plants it, and what do ya know, its toxic to live stock. But, it had already taken root and now 60% of the south is stuck in a sea of the worst plauge I have ever seen.

Are you sure its not toxic to critters?

I was also told that the GOV had a reward some time ago for anyone who could come up with a use for the plant... Something like a million dollars *shrug* hear say I presume.

[ChadRamsey]

i though it was brought over for erosion control!

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[toker]

Ok, now your going to force me to research it arnt ya?? huh??? huh??? lol

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[toker]

Well here you go, you were right, I was wrong... well, I wasnt wrong the folks that passed on the story were wrong

Kudzu was introduced to the United States in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Countries were invited to build exhibits to celebrate the 100th birthday of the U.S. The Japanese government constructed a beautiful garden filled with plants from their country. The large leaves and sweet-smelling blooms of kudzu captured the imagination of American gardeners who used the plant for ornamental purposes.

Florida nursery operators, Charles and Lillie Pleas, discovered that animals would eat the plant and promoted its use for forage in the 1920s. Their Glen Arden Nursery in Chipley sold kudzu plants through the mail. A historical marker there proudly proclaims "Kudzu Developed Here."

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted kudzu for erosion control. Hundreds of young men were given work planting kudzu through the Civilian Conservation Corps. Farmers were paid as much as eight dollars an acre as incentive to plant fields of the vines in the 1940s.

Full Story here....

The Amazing Story of Kudzu

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[natas]

weird, I used to take Kudzu to help with my Cluster Headaches. It actually helps some people (did nothing for me)

[toker]

and nope, its not toxic, seems goats love it? lol

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[basslogic4003]

I dunno man, it sounds like you may be playing with fire. It seems like it could be one of those inadvertent introduced-species disasters waiting to happen. I understand that the vine thrives in high humidity environments, but I've seen enough "nature-will-always-find-a-way" situations to be weary! Good luck, whichever path you choose

[JuliusSqueezer]

It grows slow and managable in Japan. It grows fast and quickly chokes the life out of anything near it here. Whole countrysides are engulfed. I heard it even ate a school bus full of cheerleaders once...I wonder if it's legal to ship. If there isn't a law on it, it's because no one has yet figured a need for a law over something so common sense. I've never noticed any kudzu seeds anywhere for sale. I'm guessing that would be about as lucrative as selling ice to eskimos. I guess you would have to take clippings and root them...but be warned, your iguana can't eat near fast enough to keep that stuff from eating your farm.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[John_E_Dove]

Originally Posted by JuliusSqueezer

It grows slow and managable in Japan. It grows fast and quickly chokes the life out of anything near it here. Whole countrysides are engulfed. I heard it even ate a school bus full of cheerleaders once...I wonder if it's legal to ship. If there isn't a law on it, it's because no one has yet figured a need for a law over something so common sense. I've never noticed any kudzu seeds anywhere for sale. I'm guessing that would be about as lucrative as selling ice to eskimos. I guess you would have to take clippings and root them...but be warned, your iguana can't eat near fast enough to keep that stuff from eating your farm.

LOL, you gave me the idea in another thread. If all else fails I'll turn my geese on it. A dozen geese will destroy anything in a small area in very short order. I penned a pair in a 40 X 40 area and they made it bare ground in two weeks even chewing through the cable to my satellite TV and the plug wire on my lawn mower.

Natas,
I found the following on the medicinal properties of Kudzu when researching it. “Kudzu contains several medical chemicals such as daidzen, used to fight inflammation and microbial infections, dilute coronary arteries, relax muscles, and promote estrous cycles. It also contains daidzin, which is used to prevent cancer, and genistein, an anti-leukemic.”
MIME Attachment ViewInvasion Biology Introduced Species Summary Project - Columbia University
But if you really want a good herbal headache med try chewing the inner bark of a willow tree. Tastes just like aspirin because it is where they first got aspirin from.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Shane The Man, The Myth, The Mystery that is RTB!!!

[Jem_Scout]

Are you sure the iggy can eat this stuff?? I live in the far north and haven't got a clue about this plant, so I'm just asking. Forgive my ignorance.

	Iguana Iguana

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[schatzie001]

Originally Posted by MED04

Brett teases me because I like kudzu. I can't wait until he sees someone asking for it! I'd be glad to find you some (it won't be hard...) if you're too scared to send Chad your address

I'm with you Megan! I don't know why, but I too have an affinity for the stuff, haha. I tried to take some back to Michigan when I lived there, was going to do a project called "Lee's Revenge" but I started worrying about my luggage being searched at the airport and getting hauled to the pokie on some krazy Kudzu smuggling charges...

Anyway, I would love to hear how this project fares -

[John_E_Dove]

Originally Posted by Jem_Scout

Are you sure the iggy can eat this stuff?? I live in the far north and haven't got a clue about this plant, so I'm just asking. Forgive my ignorance.

I am pretty sure it is safe for them and actually good for them from what little data I have been able to gather.
Comparable to alfalfa in protein (16 - 18%), high in calcium and fiber as well.

If you run across data that suggests it is not good please point me toward it, I am always searching for new info on this kind of stuff and I am still researching the planting for the outer iggy cage.

	Iguana Iguana

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[New_BP_Guy]

hey send me some of that stuff I will pant it all over toronto if only it would survive winter lol, get it growing up the CN Tower lol...

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters