I just got these seeds from Thailand, and am happy to say they got through customs. It was just as cheap to mail ten as six hundred so I went for the 600. Does anyone want to grow these this summer? I have LOTS of seeds and would be glad to send you some.
beth
Here is what the seeds look like.
The package says to start them in soil, and then they can be transplanted to a boggy area or pond.
After you have enjoyed watching them bloom, you can boil them like spinach and eat them!
Beth, Send me a few please. I like them. The light green lvs remind me of Marguerite
sweet potato.
Jackie
Sure Jackie. For most of us that live where we have freezes in the winter, this plant will be perfect to grow as an annual. Those who live in no-frost zones should be responsible and not let it "get away" from us. Here is the map showing places where it has gotten a foot hold. As you can see, it is in no-freeze zones.
Hi Beth,
I would also like to try a few if it is alright. I have some of the following if you would like to try these:
Argyreia Nervosa
Merremia Dissecta
I Acuminata (Blue Dawn from my seeds in CA)
Joyce Cobb (I love this one) my garden in CA, how I miss it.
thank you for offering these.
Antoinette
Here is a bit more info and nutritional statistics:
Other names. Kankon (Japanese); ung choi (Cantonese Chinese); toongsin tsai (Mandarin Chinese); ong choy, ungtsai, tung choy (China); kang kong (Filipino, Malaysian); kang kung, rau muong (Vietnamese); pak bung (Thai).
Market information
Marketing. Rapid and careful postharvest handling is required to minimize damage to the fragile crop especially due to wilting.
Use. Practically all parts of the young plant tissue are edible although the shoot tips and younger leaves are preferred. Coarse stems and leaves are often used for animal feeding. The tender shoot tips and leaves are eaten fresh or lightly cooked as with spinach. Cooking in oil is common, the addition of spices enhances the relatively bland flavor. These plant greens provide the nutritional benefits of most green leafy vegetables.
Nutritional Value:
30 kcal, 2.7 g protein 60 mg
calcium, 2.5 mg iron, 2.9 mg vitamin A,
45 mg vitamin C per 100 g serving.
Use: Eat raw and cook like spinach or stir-fry.
Season: Throughout the year.
Storage: For a limited period in the salad
compartment of the refrigerator.
Here is a recipe for this plant.
Fried Kang Kong
2 oz. dried prawns (pounded coarsely)
salt to taste
4 Tbs. cooking oil
Pounded ingredients:
3 dried chilis
3 fresh chilis
3 kukui nut kernels
6 small onions
small piece shrimp paste
Break off leaves of KangKong and tender part of stalk. Wash and drain. Heat oil and fry pounded ingredients until fragrant. Add dried prawns and fry for 2-3 mins.. Turn up heat and put in KangKong to fry for 5 mins.. Season well. Dish up and serve hot.
KangKong = Ipomoea aquatica-Water Spinach
Oh Yes, Beth, I would LOVE to grow some.
Thanks. . .
Emma
I'll get some out to you....PS don't tell the Plant Police!
This message was edited Feb 9, 2007 3:03 PM
I remember this plant in Viet Nam. I recognise the leaves and vines. They grew it in the margins of the rice paddies. Whenever I was out driving on their main highway, there would be women by the rice paddies harvesting it and carrying double baskets, on pole across the shoulders, along the highways.
I am in, I want some too. If you have any impossible to germinate type, I would like some of that too. Frank
The plant pictured here
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/baolvera_1171042652_77.jpg
looks like Ipomoea batatas to me...
Ipomoea batatas leaves and stems are also widely eaten as a pot herb...
There are many different strains of Ipomoea aquatica..but the 2 main differences are
The dryland/upland type which is the wilder type that originated in the mountains of China...it has more red/purple pigmentation in the plant with some plants having stems,leaves and flowers that are reddish/purple...it will grow in well watered land and often upright or semi-upright in form...it is tougher than the lowland/wetland types that grow further south and in the valleys...
The wetland/lowland types usually have no reddish pigment to the stems or leaves and with only a little red in the often all white flowers...this type will produce hollow stems that will float on the surface of nearby water...
Ipomoea aquatica has high levels of the fat soluble vitamins E and vitamin U (S-methyl methionine)...
Vitamin U although disclaimed by the orthodox medical establishment is the closest substance to a cure all ever tested...it was found to cure ulcers and every(!) other co-existent organic ailment that all of the ulcer patients had...including affective disorders...
Funding for all Official studies on S-Methyl Methionine were discontinued when no appreciable negative side affects could be found...
Have fun and...
TTY,...
Ron
The aquatica seeds I obtained said they are the "bamboo leaf" type of aquatica...so there may be variations in leaf shape.
Beth
Beth, I would love to try some. You are always so generous! ☺ What are you looking for?
I'll get some out to you luvsgrtdanes. If you have anything interesting you want to send I'll enjoy growing it, but if not it's okay.
Beth
Great Beth, I will send something nice for you to try!!
Hey, We have a plant that favors this a lot that grows in our small lake. I `ll get a pic later on when it comes back. I`d like to grow it and compare it to what we have here too. What I`m seeing here may not be ipomoea but it would still be interesting if it wasn`t ipomoea I might look around and find out what they are.
This message was edited Feb 12, 2007 4:08 PM
What I meant was the flowering plant in the lake may not be an ipomoea. I`ll wait and see if it comes back.
Beth,
Just wanted to thank you, got the seeds today.. sending you a d-mail.
Thanks again,
A.
Beth...
Received your seeds today. Thanks so much for sharing. Your thoughtfullness was much appreciated.
Nancy
Beth,
I too received your seeds today.
THANKS SO VERY MUCH...
Emma
Beth, got my seeds today.
Thank you
Jackie
Beth, I'd love to try some of these seeds. I have a pond. You can look at my list & see if there is anything there you'd be interested in. Thanks. Judy Showers
I got my seeds. Thanks! I`m going to grow them in my air conditioner puddle garden.
I sent my SASE & some seeds to you in yesterday's mail.
great!
