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18 Mar 12 - 04:20 AM (#3324389) Subject: BS: fields of rape From: Big Al Whittle I always think fields growing the rape seed look beautiful - all blue and gently moving in the breeze. But a lot of people say they're horrible, an incursion.....environmentally naff. I wonder what other people think. |
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18 Mar 12 - 04:41 AM (#3324391) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Richard Bridge Bright and pretty - but the smell can be overpowering if you walk on a path through them and re-trigger childhood allergies. |
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18 Mar 12 - 04:41 AM (#3324392) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Richard Bridge PS - Blue? Yellow! |
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18 Mar 12 - 04:47 AM (#3324395) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray Blue? I think that'll be linseed. Rape fields are ultra yello - and not the sort of thing you want to get caught in of a sunny morning crawing home from the pub after an all-nighter on a sunny morning, as happened to me once. Yellow blindness! Not good. All agriculture these days is environmentally naff though; the English countryside is a fucked up factory driven by profit & subsidy & all character wiped away by creeping blandness with ballsed up barn conversions for the rich & villages of holiday homes where the locals have been priced out long ago. That said - we're off to Norfolk next week for a nice bucolic retreat & some fun with the hares... |
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18 Mar 12 - 05:05 AM (#3324400) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: MGM·Lion I remember in the days of crop rotation how beautiful a patchwork of browns and greens looked in a country landscape, especially in hilly areas. The garish glaring yellow of fields of rape has spoiled that particular aspect of our countryside. ~Michael~ |
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18 Mar 12 - 05:34 AM (#3324410) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: gnomad Both linseed (gentle blue) and rapeseed (vibrant yellow) add to the generally mostly green palette of the English countryside, visually I quite like them in moderation. (And before anyone jumps on me, yes of course there are many other colours, especially on moors, orchards, and around harvest time) I like the variety of landscape our mixed agriculture can produce. Great slabs of uniformity induced by our slide towards monoculture are less appealing. Still less pleasant for some of us is the form of allergic reaction that certain crops can cause. While I enjoy the sight of a field of rape, the yellow flowers are my signal to close off any air intakes I can, and to hope it is just a field or two. Oddly enough I came across a tiny field of rape a couple of years ago on a small island off the west coast of Ireland. The whole thing was surrounded by substantial walls, and measured about 60 yards by 30. It looked far too small for a commercial crop, yet had been carefully planted in one of only a very few patches of good land. Bit of a puzzle. |
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18 Mar 12 - 05:43 AM (#3324412) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Megan L gnomad In a small island comunity it could have been for animal feed On Orkney before we bought comercial feeds it was not uncommon to see patches of blue Lupins which would be cut for the kye. |
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18 Mar 12 - 12:28 PM (#3324600) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Big Al Whittle so the blue is linseed - I always thought it was rape seed! I still think it looks beautiful like the surface of lake shifting in the sunlight- though its the wind that stirs it. Round Boston in Lincolnshire, where I grew up, there were always yellow fields when I was a kid - they were growing mustard. |
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18 Mar 12 - 12:35 PM (#3324602) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Will Fly I'm told that the pollen falling from fields of rape is not, in fact, a cause of hayfever, as the pollen is large and heavy and falls to the ground rather than getting wind-borne. It certainly smells very unpleasant to me, and I'm with Michael in thinking that it adds a garishness to the subtle English countryside colours. The worst offenders, as far as hayfever is concerned, are tree pollens. Whether rape activates allergies other than hayfever, I don't know. |
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18 Mar 12 - 01:27 PM (#3324634) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Richard Bridge I can get sneezy in rape fields when I don't (usually) around other growing stuff (well not so much any more). |
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18 Mar 12 - 01:32 PM (#3324637) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: GUEST,Eliza I had a colleague here in Norfolk years ago who lived next to a field. One year the farmer grew rape for the first time and the poor lass was prostrate with migraines. The crop was repeated year after year and the migraines got so bad they decided to move nearer to Norwich. |
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18 Mar 12 - 02:09 PM (#3324671) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Crowhugger Maybe rapeseed takes the rap for something else the way goldenrod does here in Canada. Goldenrod blooms bright deep yellow at the same time as the inconspicuous green flowers of ragweed come out, so a lot of people think they're allergic to goldenrod, which may or may not be the case. |
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18 Mar 12 - 04:32 PM (#3324761) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Stilly River Sage Canola (Canadian Oil) is the name we hear in the U.S. for rape seed oil. And apparently Monsanto has had such a hand in it that the GMO result isn't fit to be consumed. SRS |
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18 Mar 12 - 06:50 PM (#3324812) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Jim Dixon The version of rapeseed known in the US is called Canola. Here are some views of rapeseed/canola fields. Here are some views of flax fields. |
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18 Mar 12 - 07:12 PM (#3324824) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: VirginiaTam When rapeseed is in blossom I get fierce headaches. I can't find it now, but I once read an article about the noxious fumes emitted by rapeseed blossom. |
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18 Mar 12 - 07:18 PM (#3324829) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Big Al Whittle Thanks for the lovely pictures Jim. I'm glad its not just me that's been struck by the beauty of these fields. Garish.....? well you know I've got common tastes... |
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18 Mar 12 - 08:00 PM (#3324851) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: gnomad I've little idea what element of the crop gives me a problem, but I know for certain that something does; restricted breathing, running eyes and a blinding headache. Certain lilies do it too but I've never encountered them in whole-field quantities. The cattle-feed explanation had not occurred to me, Megan, I believe that most livestock in that region are able to over-winter in the fields (it is pretty temperate) but it would still make sense to have at least some feed available. |
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18 Mar 12 - 08:30 PM (#3324862) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: pdq The flax fields mentioned above are a very different plant, family Linaceae. Flax gives us linen cloth, parchment and oils such as linseed oil. Rape and relatives are in the Mustard Family, Brassicaceae (aka Cruciferae), which supplies more food crops than any other family of plants. |
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18 Mar 12 - 08:33 PM (#3324864) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Steve Shaw Oilseed rape is insect-pollinated and has fairly heavy, sticky pollen. You are very unlikely to be affected by the pollen unless you deliberately wade through fields of the stuff, and even then it's more likely to stick to your knickers than get up your nose. The plants are usually grown as a monoculture in blocks of many acres. They will have been treated with all manner of chemicals. The flowers attract pollen beetles, and, if you have a garden next to a field of the stuff, your garden flowers will be ravaged by said beetles once the crop has gone to seed in early summer leaving the beetles feeling a bit peckish. It's horrible stuff, though, admittedly, the oil therefrom is a bit healthier than dripping and lard. I love chips done in dripping and lard, and I hate pollen beetles. And monocultures. |
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18 Mar 12 - 08:37 PM (#3324867) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Doug Chadwick Oddly enough I came across a tiny field of rape a couple of years ago on a small island off the west coast of Ireland. The whole thing was surrounded by substantial walls, and measured about 60 yards by 30. It looked far too small for a commercial crop, yet had been carefully planted in one of only a very few patches of good land. Bit of a puzzle. As Big Al points out, the yellow crop may be mustard. This is sometimes used as a "cover crop" to add nutrition to the soil before planting potatoes. DC |
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18 Mar 12 - 10:45 PM (#3324901) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Sandy Mc Lean Pollitical correctness in Canada changed the name to canola oil. |
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19 Mar 12 - 06:11 AM (#3324987) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Steve Shaw "Rape" derives from the Latin for turnip, a closely-related plant, Brassica rapa. I can't see any problem with calling oilseed rape "rape" as long as all around are aware of the context. As a botanist I've used the word in this context for decades without relating it in my mind to any other meaning it has. It was good that the thread title was amended. Apropos of finding a small plantation of it, it's worth pointing out that most other members of the cultivated branch of the cabbagey members of the family have yellow flowers and a habit similar to rape when they bolt, something which many farmers and allotmenteers are prone to allowing! |
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19 Mar 12 - 07:09 AM (#3325041) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Keith A of Hertford "noxious fumes" I find the fragrence pleasant, and I am told that bees like the plant and good honey produced. |
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19 Mar 12 - 07:58 AM (#3325072) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: theleveller The blue can be linseed but it may also be borage, which is now grown as a commercial crop. Some farmers are now producing a cold-pressed unrefined rape seed oil which is an excellent British substitute for extra virgin olive oil - we have an excellent on here in East Yorkshire. |
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19 Mar 12 - 08:04 AM (#3325078) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: MGM·Lion Like Keith, I quite like the scent of rape; but I find its presence in quantity to make my eyes water and irritate intolerably. This was a symptom I quite frequently suffered when a child victim of hay fever, which was before the wide cultivation of rape which now obtains & so must have had some other allergenic cause; but these days rape is about the only trigger. ~M~ |
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19 Mar 12 - 09:53 AM (#3325139) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: GUEST,I Don't Know I suffer when the rape is in flower with what my dotor called 'rape fever' I get very watery eyes (nearly blinds me), dry mouth and headaches. |
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19 Mar 12 - 10:09 AM (#3325151) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: maeve Some information regarding sensitivities/allergies: Source: (unknown how reliable) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-458357/Runny-eyes-wheezy-chest-Blame-Britains-crops-rapeseed.html "....researchers say many people mistakenly blame their symptoms on pollen from the plants. According to the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit in Worcester, only one in 25 people tested for rapeseed allergy actually reacts to the plant. Instead, many become ill due to gases - called volatile organic compounds - emitted naturally by oils in rapeseed when it blooms. One study at the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee in the mid-Nineties found that rapeseed emits 22 different volatile compounds. Many are known to cause respiratory problems. The major culprits are chemicals called terpenes, aldehydes and organic disulfides. Terpenes give many plants and fruit their distinctive smell. Another study at Aberdeen University tested 37 people who complained of wheezing and blocked airways due to rapeseed. Only two had any evidence of allergy when exposed to the pollen. But most still showed signs of lung irritation and wheezing from the plants. Maureen Jenkins, of Allergy UK, said: 'Rapeseed produces volatile oils in the atmosphere which irritate sensitive airways. Anyone with hayfever or asthma may find symptoms worsening if passing a rapeseed field because of these volatile oils in the air. 'Keep car windows closed when rapeseed is blooming, especially if you have hayfever or asthma.' Beverley Adams-Groom, of the National Pollen And Aerobiology Research Unit, said the fumes are known to irritate the airways. 'These compounds cause a very strong smell and trigger flu-like symptoms in some people,' she said. 'We know of families living next to rapeseed fields who feel ill when the plants are flowering.' ************ I do know that many people have a similar reaction to lily and paperwhite narcissus scents. |
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19 Mar 12 - 11:27 AM (#3325181) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Sandy Mc Lean Steve, many people do not have a very good understanding of a homonym's meaning and jump to conclusions. There used to be a town in Canada that referred to itself as "The Home Of Rape" but I think they took the sign down a few years ago. I'm not sure if they changed it to the home of canola. |
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19 Mar 12 - 12:47 PM (#3325218) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: GUEST,Seayaker Years ago when I was at agricultural colledge rape was just starting to become a popular crop. We went on a farm walk and there was a field that had been planted fairly unsuccesfully and was very sparse and patchy Someone suggested that it was more like attempted rape. |
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19 Mar 12 - 02:55 PM (#3325287) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Big Al Whittle I was just looking at borage, and wondeing - does any of you grow it? i have this patch of ground in my garden - sort of a fruit cage - about eight yards square, and I don't like gadening much. So waddya think? Could I put borage seed down there. have a little blue field of my own? If I did - how long would it flower? I wouldn't be bothered if it self seeded and spread a bit. Tell me what you think? http://www.herbexpert.co.uk/growingborage.html |
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19 Mar 12 - 07:57 PM (#3325434) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Leadfingers Cant help wondering if this has any bearing on Sting's Fields of Gold |
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19 Mar 12 - 09:38 PM (#3325487) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Greg B A crop whose healthy oil (along with the much better olive oil) will keep billions of hearts healthier than they would otherwise have been. |
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19 Mar 12 - 09:54 PM (#3325499) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Steve Shaw Groundnut oil makes the best oven chips. I'll hear no argument. |
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20 Mar 12 - 12:49 AM (#3325539) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Stilly River Sage Lard and drippings are apparently better for you than canola, so have at it. Brassica or mustard family or crucifere, all names for the family that broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and mustard come from, are very healthy. Anti-carcinogenic. Apparently the rape seed plants that are made into canola oil have been modified so much (GMO) that they aren't good for you any more. Borage (boraginacea) has a fractal aspect (the way it curves back on itself) that reminds people of the patterns in broccoli and broccoflower (also botanical fractals). But there isn't just one type. You can grow Forget-me-nots in your garden and have a perfectly acceptable borage growing. It's in the family. SRS |
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20 Mar 12 - 03:21 AM (#3325558) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Doug Chadwick Cant help wondering if this has any bearing on Sting's Fields of Gold Searing, blinding, eye-burning yellow is not gold. ………………………………… Upon the fields of barley ………………………………… As we walk in the fields of gold The clue is in the words. DC |
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20 Mar 12 - 04:00 AM (#3325566) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Big Al Whittle I put the idea to my brother in law (member of RHS), who said - why not just do line of borage - see if you like it. But as a poet and a one man band, part of me kept thinking I'll be able to say - I'm going to forage in the borage or I could put out a breakfast table and chairs and say Lets take porridge in the borage |
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20 Mar 12 - 04:25 AM (#3325569) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: theleveller Borage is a beautiful plant and will self-seed everywhere. The leaves are great in Pimms - so growing it is a good excuse for buying a bottle of Pimms. In fact, it would be rude not to. |
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20 Mar 12 - 04:34 AM (#3325573) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Keith A of Hertford We do not allow GM rape to be grown in UK. |
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20 Mar 12 - 11:51 AM (#3325736) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Big Al Whittle Is the GM stuff bad? |
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20 Mar 12 - 11:58 AM (#3325744) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: maeve Yes, extremely so, and particularly bad long-term. |
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20 Mar 12 - 06:19 PM (#3325907) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: katlaughing I have two flax plants in my perennial garden. I love their shade of blue. Now, I am off to see if I could grow borage here. It sounds like a quite useful and pretty plant. |
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20 Mar 12 - 06:37 PM (#3325917) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: GUEST An interesting article... apparently canola oil is no longer rapeseed oil, per se, which explains much of the confusion about whether the stuff labeled canola oil is bad for you or good for you. |
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20 Mar 12 - 07:37 PM (#3325954) Subject: RE: BS: fields of rape From: Big Al Whittle really when you think about it, anything you eat could come from a genetically modified source - the coffee or the wine you drink - anything.... |