I have been growing Gynura bicolor ( Heng Feng Cai or Okinawa Spinach or Sambung Nyawa Ungu ) plants at one end of my backyard planter where on most days of the year, sun exposure is minimal, for more than a year now.
Initially, I grow them for their nutritious leaves.
They are especially easy-to-grow plants. I just have to buy them once and eat their leaves. And use their inedible stems to get things started. All I do is stick their bare stems into the soil. I do not even have to pre-root them. They just grow. No matter the soil condition and weather. However, they do have some particular likings. Come rainy season, their growth obviously accelerated incredibly. Often, exponentially. Or so it seems. Yes, they love lots of water. And less hours of sun. Shade, particularly.
I have many a time harvested their leaves. And eaten them as stir-fried vegetables. They taste rather strange. Frankly, I do not quite enjoy them as vegetables. Neither do my sisters. So, I stop harvesting them.
These days, I leave them all to the occasional, visiting grasshoppers, who find their leaves tasty, to enjoy as they wish. I am most happy for them. For at least some creatures appreciate them as food.
But whether or not they are appreciated as food, no way would I give up on them. Not any time soon. At least. As I love them. Their green purple foliage is just too admirable to part with yet. I would continue to grow them. And enjoy them for their beauty instead. Until I get tired of them ...
You will not grow tired of them, a chara. I love that you are keen to ensure the little hoppers get sustenance! Two years ago I gad 3 Brussels sprouts plants. I left one for the caterpillars and protected the others. Win-win situation!
ReplyDeleteI guess I won't, Padraig. That's very kind of you to let the caterpillars have one of yours. They are after all just like us humans. Live creatures. If we can donate food to the poor, why not insects too? Whether or not they are our friends. Thanks for everything!
DeleteAn interesting post and a good picture. It's a shame that you don't like the taste, but good for you for keeping them. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your ever kind comments, Flighty!
DeleteYeah, its a shame I just don't. Ha ha! I always try to find reasons so I could keep them. I find it difficult to get rid of plants. Unless if they don't do well.
The grasshoppers are in my garden too! Oh, I better keep an eye on my plants. They can eat up leaves quickly. Btw, I have eaten this veggie before.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Perhaps they could, Stephanie. But at my garden, they always leave enough for me. So I never worry. Good luck with yours!
DeleteBtw, how do you find the taste of this vege?
I'm sure those wonderful grasshoppers appreciate them!xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, they do, Snowbird! Or so I think.
DeleteHappy grasshoppers, the veges are all theirs haha . . .
ReplyDeleteHa ha, yes they are, meintheswim! I'm glad they love the veges.
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