Apart from the old wives tale that if you pick dandelions you will wet the bed, what is the worst old wives tale or piece of mis-information you have heard of about plants and gardens?
Ma used to worry when we brought lilac into the house - it grew wild around the farm so I'm afraid it didn't stop me picking it and bringing it in. I am so definitely notsuperstitious!!!
The worst piece of mis-information about plants I know of is that myth that if a rose has more than 5 leaflets it's a sucker - so many wonderful species of roses have more than 5 leaflets - I've known someone destroy a wonderful rosa glauca that had been tenderly nurtured after the death of the gardener of the family as it was 'a sucker and would never come to anything!!!'
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
I suppose to be fair tho, we ought to differentiate between Old Wives Tales ( in which I often think there is at least a grain of truth ) and basic mis information.......?
I'd class the Lilac, dandelion, Lilly thing in OWT but Dove's rose myth I would call mis information ............what do others think ?
Was told never to grow lupins, due to them always getting lupin aphid...huge great greenfly, only seen them once in a neighbours garden, but haven't dared grow lupins. p.s not afraid of them just didn't want pests.
FG..........stone walls = piles.........I've heard that one too - definitely mis information
Another classic was............Never go outside after you have just washed your hair otherwise you will catch cold............nothing to do with gardening but..........I dry my hair by standing in the wind ( saves on electric and therefore more power for raising plants propagator wise.........so it DOES have a gardening theme after all)
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Don't know wether its true, but my mum wouldn't cut Lilac and have it indoors....she said it was unlucky
I've heard that about May, never about lilac.
I think you could blame the French for the dandelion thing...........pissenlit
Actually tho, I think it is supposed to have diuretic qualities isn't it ? You probably have to eat plenty for it to have any effect tho
I also haven't heard the Lilac one but had heard that lillies were only fit for a funereal flower ?
Ma used to worry when we brought lilac into the house - it grew wild around the farm so I'm afraid it didn't stop me picking it and bringing it in. I am so definitely not superstitious!!!
The worst piece of mis-information about plants I know of is that myth that if a rose has more than 5 leaflets it's a sucker - so many wonderful species of roses have more than 5 leaflets - I've known someone destroy a wonderful rosa glauca that had been tenderly nurtured after the death of the gardener of the family as it was 'a sucker and would never come to anything!!!'
Don't know if it's true or not but I was told if you planted wallflowers you introduced club root into the soil.
If you grow broad beans blackfly will invade. I know the delicious tasting tips can have blackfly but do they attract it ?
I knew that one about roses Dove. Is it true that suckers don't have thorns? If not that's another.
Good thread Artjak
philippa - yes lilies are traditionally used for funerals. It's why some people don't like them as gifts.
Sitting on stone walls gives you piles... not strictly gardening but a favourite of my Mum's!
Artjac..........now you have started something
I suppose to be fair tho, we ought to differentiate between Old Wives Tales ( in which I often think there is at least a grain of truth ) and basic mis information.......?
I'd class the Lilac, dandelion, Lilly thing in OWT but Dove's rose myth I would call mis information ............what do others think ?
Interesting Edd, doubt you'll need a tin hat
If someone holds a buttercup under your chin and can see reflected colour you love butter, strange what pre-school kids did in my day
Fairy, yeah we were warned about piles lol.
Was told never to grow lupins, due to them always getting lupin aphid...huge great greenfly, only seen them once in a neighbours garden, but haven't dared grow lupins. p.s not afraid of them just didn't want pests.
FG..........stone walls = piles.........I've heard that one too - definitely mis information
Another classic was............Never go outside after you have just washed your hair otherwise you will catch cold............nothing to do with gardening but..........I dry my hair by standing in the wind ( saves on electric and therefore more power for raising plants propagator wise.........so it DOES have a gardening theme after all
)