Is there any way I can get some starts for Kudzu?

@Willowlady (10658)
United States
December 6, 2006 10:10pm CST
Would love to grow the plant in a contained situation and use it to weave and leaves to feed my livestock..any suggestions?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
10 Dec 06
From what the earlier poster said, you must remember that this vine will spread very quickly. We have it all over Florida, and you can see it covering the trees alongside many highways. If your temperatures get under 5 deg F or above 80 deg F, it won't thrive as well. I'd check with a plant nursery in your area to see if they can tell you if it will do well where you live. Good luck in getting the information you need.
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@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
10 Dec 06
kudzu - the vine that ate the south, found to be liked by cows and I dare say goats...looking for some to grow on my property.
If you have it everywhere, then I would love some seed as the long posted stated...it does freeze here in Ohio so it would die down yearly and should not be a problem. I would need to collect seed yearly however that woul dnot be problem since I parttime and hope to return to full time farming in the near future!
• United States
11 Mar 07
I haven't seen any down here in South FL, but I remember it well when I used to live in North FL. If we move anywhere where I see kudzu, I'd be happy to send you some seeds if I can find them. Be sure to keep in touch with me, as we'll be retiring later this year.
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• United States
11 Mar 07
Forgot to say thank you for giving me best response.
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• United States
14 Mar 07
when i was younger i always thought that kudzu was a beautiful plant, however living around it for years i also got to see how much damage it can cause! so if you get any seeds i highly highly highly suggest you plant it FAR away from any buildings eventhough it will die in the winter in ohio it will still leave nasty little 'suction cup' thingies on whatever it grows on which is the biggest pain to get off of anything! also know that it grows extremely fast! so youll have to keep an eye on it. if it gets out of hand before the winter id try burning it (if that will even kill it?). best of luck to you with this though! i hope it all works out well
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@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Thanks for the tip about the suction cup business. I am glad that you understand it and my conditions here. I am a gardener from way back and will bury an enclosure and it will extend down as well as up. I will make it a trellis to start on and with luck it will become a cash crop, food for my critter, bedding and basketry material. I appreciate your well wishing. Thanks much for responding.
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@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
18 Mar 07
If I knew how to get the seeds I'd be willing to send you some. We have it growing everywhere around here, as others have posted. I should warn you though the livestock doesn't eat it. Yes it was brought over here for that purpose but the cows here won't eat it. They don't know why. That's one reason it is so out of control down here in Florida because there is nothing in the wild that eats it. From what I understand it's also edible for humans but I have not tried it. I did find this site though that does sell the seeds along with other things for kudzo: http://www.kudzukingdom.com/new_page_4.htm Hope it helps
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
18 Mar 07
Must dependo on the cows since I have read someone somewhere had their cows eating it. Goats are the other. Anyway, as an herb it is useful and I bought some seeds from Ebay and will be growing it this year. Hope to keep everyone posted as to the progress. Thanks for being concerned and sharing your information!
@monet0077 (156)
• United States
11 Mar 07
What do you plan to contain this plant with? Kudzu always reminds me of a Stephen King story. Like if you park your car long enough it will disappear!
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
11 Mar 07
It grows but not quite that fast, but yes in time it would cover it nicely. I am in Northern Ohio and our winters it would not survive in. I would plant it inside a barrier in the ground. I would cut it back each fall. Gathering the seed for the following season. I can use is as an herb, for weaving baskets and such and my critters would eat it too. I think we can cook with it too. So if you can I would appreciate some seeds. By the By, I love Stephen King!!
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