Page 27 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2023
P. 27

                                 Unusual vegetables
I am still working through the requested articles from the NVS survey of autumn 2021, one request was for articles on unusual vegetables so this is the first more will follow in future editions.
ICE PLANT
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM CRYSTALLINUM
It is commonly known as ice plant or dew plant
owing to the appearance of the leaves / stems as all parts of the plant are covered with small transparent membranous bladders which makes it appear the plant is covered in ice or dew. It is a trailing tender perennial with fleshy succulent leaves so will not overwinter outside (although this may change with the effects of climate change). The leaves and stems have a tangy slightly salty acid flavour and can be eaten raw in salads or boiled like spinach. It originates from the cape area of South Africa and also grows in the Mediterranean area so could be a useful crop if our summers continue to
be hot and dry. Apparently, it can be grown as an under crop under sweet corn making good use of the space available, it is not likely to grow well in heavy shade.
Sowing
Sow indoors from April 1cm deep into 7cm modules and germinate at 20°C, grow on indoors and harden off when approx. 5 to 7cm tall, wait until the last frosts have gone before planting out. Plant out in an open sunny site into a well-drained fertile soil (adding some organic matter when digging or before planting will help). Space the plants 15cm apart in rows 30cm apart, they can be grown slightly closer in beds systems.
Outdoors sow from May in rows 30cm apart and thin out the seedlings once large enough
Once you have some plants, they can be propagated by soft tip cuttings about 5cm long and cut below a node. Use non-flowering shoots and remove the lower leaves. Root in an open free draining compost. This will give you a supply over the summer and if you can keep them warm enough, they should overwinter indoors. It can be grown as a cut and come again crop, if grown this way the plants can be planted closer together.
Aftercare
Keep weed free by hoeing or hand weeding, and water during dry periods if required. The leaves should be ready to harvest after 4 to 10 weeks by picking leaves and young stems as soon as they are large enough. Regular harvesting ensures the plant continues to produce more growth of tender shoots and does not go tough. Once harvested use that day or they can be stored in a fridge and will stay fresh for up to a week.
If covered with cloches in September, the cropping season can be extended until the hard frosts arrive.
The main pest is slugs so these should be controlled with nematodes, aluminium phosphate pellets, hand picking, traps, or whatever method you use.
(If you have a good method of controlling slugs please let us know! – Ed).
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