For your information it’s not banned to grow in uk gardens. Get your facts right. Himalayan balsam is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales. It's therefore an offence to plant or otherwise cause it to grow in the wild. It's not an offence to grow Himalayan balsam in gardens but you must not let it escape into the wild.
Thanks for this. We have a bank of flowers along our stream. Only glancing at it, I presumed it was some other color of jewelweed I had never seen before. Now I will take a better look, tomorrow when it is light out. It may well be Himalayan Balsam.There is a lot of Euonymus (now turning beautiful red-pink) and some purple loosestrife also on this property. Sad to think that the prettiest plants here might be all invasives.
A lot of bees die during august-september because the so-called native flowers don't produce nectar at that time of the year. I understand the need for controlling it. But always leave some for the insects it's the only plant producing nectar late summer.
I got rid of a lot of HB over a couple of years and the amount of native flowers that colonised the space was amazing. I cant imagine that they didn’t produce nectar. Apparently honey from bees that feed on this plant tastes like medicine.
Really helpful! Would it be an effective strategy to pull up Himalayan Balsam early in its life cycle when these plants are seedlings? Could you point us to resources to help us identify what HB looks like when it first grows?
An upsetter of ecological balance no doubt, however what of where it persists in already fragmented or denuded vegetation communities? In this regard it can be of positive benefit particularly with the challenges ahead.
Came to youtube to find a video of the seedpods exploding to show husband.. (in a linked video, and then came here from curiosity.) As a teenager I had great fun exploding these...(I know, easily pleased, more fun that bubble wrap) They grew alongside the river Taff in Cardiff , as well as Japanese knotweed, another invading species I assume. Thanks for this video and I just subscribed to your channel, excellent presentation!
It’s not actually banned so get your facts right. It’s discouraged but not on the banned list. I love it and so do my neighbours. You have your Balsam bashing parties and we have our pop and grow. 😁
It's edible and the seed pods can he used as a substitute for nuts, to make curries and flour, etc. The flowers, stem and leaves are also edible but contain lots of oxilates (Which are destroyed in cooking). Can use the flowers for making pink "magic" gin, jams etc.
I would add brambles to the list of invasive plants. I've seen areas of beautiful wild flowers gradually taken over by brambles which have developed stems sometimes an inch in diameter. These branches whiplash passers-by mercilessly and throttle everything. Yes I know they have their good points (ha ha) but I detest them.
Janice Taylor brambles are native to Britain are excellent for pollinators, blackberries feed birds & mammals, birds nest in them & mammals nest & hibernate in them. They're an essential part of our native countryside
@EcoSapien Britain was in fact one of the best offenders. More powerful nations colonised weaker one's the world over. Britain was actually far from the worst. The Portuguese, the French and certainly the Belgians were nations you really didn't want colonising your land. Even though you had likely taken that land from its previous inhabitants yourself
the balsom is taking over manchester , its killing all the other plants, i have been volunteering to help get rid of the plant
For your information it’s not banned to grow in uk gardens. Get your facts right.
Himalayan balsam is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales. It's therefore an offence to plant or otherwise cause it to grow in the wild. It's not an offence to grow Himalayan balsam in gardens but you must not let it escape into the wild.
Dont forget the seeds and flowers are edible .. seeds make good stews and curries....therefore another good way of controlling it ... eating it !!!
sounds good to me! recipes please :)
The plant contains a high level of Oxalates which cause kidney stones. The seeds don’t contain any so can be eaten freely.
Thanks for this. We have a bank of flowers along our stream. Only glancing at it, I presumed it was some other color of jewelweed I had never seen before. Now I will take a better look, tomorrow when it is light out. It may well be Himalayan Balsam.There is a lot of Euonymus (now turning beautiful red-pink) and some purple loosestrife also on this property. Sad to think that the prettiest plants here might be all invasives.
A lot of bees die during august-september because the so-called native flowers don't produce nectar at that time of the year. I understand the need for controlling it. But always leave some for the insects it's the only plant producing nectar late summer.
I got rid of a lot of HB over a couple of years and the amount of native flowers that colonised the space was amazing. I cant imagine that they didn’t produce nectar. Apparently honey from bees that feed on this plant tastes like medicine.
It's taking revenge
As you sow so you reap.
I've worked on projects to clear this. Let me tell you. I've developed a deep seated hatred for it 😂
Really helpful! Would it be an effective strategy to pull up Himalayan Balsam early in its life cycle when these plants are seedlings? Could you point us to resources to help us identify what HB looks like when it first grows?
An upsetter of ecological balance no doubt, however what of where it persists in already fragmented or denuded vegetation communities? In this regard it can be of positive benefit particularly with the challenges ahead.
Native plants do return quickly once this plant is removed.
Came to youtube to find a video of the seedpods exploding to show husband.. (in a linked video, and then came here from curiosity.) As a teenager I had great fun exploding these...(I know, easily pleased, more fun that bubble wrap) They grew alongside the river Taff in Cardiff , as well as Japanese knotweed, another invading species I assume. Thanks for this video and I just subscribed to your channel, excellent presentation!
It’s not actually banned so get your facts right. It’s discouraged but not on the banned list. I love it and so do my neighbours. You have your Balsam bashing parties and we have our pop and grow. 😁
not a single brain cell in that head of yours mate
This plant is everywhere near my home, especially along paths and rivers. But it's beautiful, resilient and provides lots of nectar for insects.
It's just turned up in my garden, not near any streams, guess the birds delivered it!.
I could spend hours plucking, snapping and stomping on these plants. So therapeutic
Interesting video!
I'm sorry I didn't know I was so invasive, I relate to being explosive though
amazing video and information😇
I like that plant
Has this plant any usefulness for us humans? Besides its contribution to honey production!...
Not really, no
It's edible and the seed pods can he used as a substitute for nuts, to make curries and flour, etc. The flowers, stem and leaves are also edible but contain lots of oxilates (Which are destroyed in cooking). Can use the flowers for making pink "magic" gin, jams etc.
@@mariabatlles7032 Oxalates cannot be destroyed by cooking. Stick to the seeds.
@@EcoSapien also honey from mainly Himalayan Balsam tastes vile.
@@randomroses1494 Maybe not destroyed but definitely leeched out or neutralised in some way. Even lords and ladies is edible when cooked well.
I would add brambles to the list of invasive plants. I've seen areas of beautiful wild flowers gradually taken over by brambles which have developed stems sometimes an inch in diameter. These branches whiplash passers-by mercilessly and throttle everything. Yes I know they have their good points (ha ha) but I detest them.
Janice Taylor brambles are native to Britain are excellent for pollinators, blackberries feed birds & mammals, birds nest in them & mammals nest & hibernate in them. They're an essential part of our native countryside
not to mention, excellent in a pie with apples..
So britain do realise colonization is bad. 1:34. 😂😂😂
Brits didn't expected that after years of colonialism something will come back to haunt them.
It's very true. Many invasive species are directly a result of colonialism. And the British Empire is one of the worst offenders.
@EcoSapien Britain was in fact one of the best offenders. More powerful nations colonised weaker one's the world over. Britain was actually far from the worst. The Portuguese, the French and certainly the Belgians were nations you really didn't want colonising your land. Even though you had likely taken that land from its previous inhabitants yourself
😡