What does Nyger seed grow into ?

Hi Birdwatcher

No need to kick yourself {wink}

Nyger seed grows into Thistles.

That is what Goldfinches love so much.

Teasel - Large seed head, which is attractive to Goldfinches. Teasels are easily identified with their prickly stem and leaves, and the inflorescence of purple, dark pink or lavender flowers that form a head on the end of the stems.

Goldfinches love Teasel seed heads and that is different all together

If I where you if you have a lot of Teasel plants appearing in your garden it is very invasive.  Had it in my last garden and it ended up growing like Triffids.  It is also not very nice as it has a very prickly stems and not pleasant if you get thorns in your fingers.

I am also in two minds to say you can keep some in a wild area of your garden (for the Goldfinches) but still that is how invasive it gets.  It is personal choice.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Chrissie C said:

During the summer months I had lots of sproutings from the dropped nyger seeds and kept pulling them out.
What would they grow into. I have just planted some Teasels and will kick myself if that's what my discarded nyger seeds would have turned into.

Hi Birdwatcher,

Nyjer seed is from a yellow plant that is native to Ethiopia apparently.The seed is similar to thistle seed, but the plants are entirely different.

Chrissie C said:

During the summer months I had lots of sproutings from the dropped nyger seeds and kept pulling them out.
What would they grow into. I have just planted some Teasels and will kick myself if that's what my discarded nyger seeds would have turned into.

The teasels are planted in a large pot and I found it quite easy to control them last year, so planted another pot just now  ready for next year as you are right the goldies love them
Seems to be a bit of a  difference of opinion on the Nyger seeds

Hi Sparrow

Well I never ....  we live and learn.   I knew it was a type of Thistle but not in the way we know them.

I have a deeper read into the subject

{'source' a book I have at home and I have used my own words}

Sparrow: Thank you for the information. The seeds are sent from other places as you have mentioned Sparrow - Ethiopia. 

Also Singapore and Myanamar.  It is a seed grown/tried/tested in North Amercian, and it is not related to the noxious weed thistle as we know in the UK.

Nyjer is still referred to a Thistle still.  It has not gone down well in some countries and some cities have tried to ban its sale.

Nyger = Nyjer = Niger = Thistle

Apparantly there where 15 types of Nyjer seed tried and tested over the years from other countries.  Goldfinches, Siskens and Repolls would only touch the Ethiopian Nyjer, and the North American Nyjer.  North Amercian Nyjer is supposed to be heat treated to prevent it form sprouting in North American soil.  Heat-treating is also kept the seeds well for storage purposes.

So it sounds although the Nyger seed is heat treated no matter where it is from, so it should not sprout in your garden at all.

The things that we find out about bird feed.

Sorted birdwatcher {thumbs up}

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi Birdwatcher

Good idea with the large pots for the Teasel {thumbs up}

The Teasel we had in our garden germinated itself on its own, and it was not good to run riot in your garden.

The Goldfinches will love the seed heads, and i would plant them for that reason alone.

Sorted with the Nyjer question, and Sparrow is right in what has been said on her post.

The title of 'Nyjer' is a 'Thistle' but not as we know the plant 'Thistle'   A bit of misguided name for Nyjer as it causes confusion unless you know all of the facts.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Chrissie C said:

During the summer months I had lots of sproutings from the dropped nyger seeds and kept pulling them out.
What would they grow into. I have just planted some Teasels and will kick myself if that's what my discarded nyger seeds would have turned into.