Starting My Poison Ivy Over Again

[CapeCodBonsai]

I’ve been keeping my eye out for a poison ivy that I could collect and grow through the years.
Cape Cod is pretty much “built out” and doesn’t have a lot of open area that isn’t already privately owned or that hasn’t been deemed conservation. I haven’t taken the time nor wanted the species bad enough to make the trek “over the bridge” with shovel in hand.
Last year, I was kind of jazzed to find a small poison ivy growing on my property line so, I potted it up and crossed it off my list.


This morning, I was checking out the emerging foliage when I realized that I didn’t have a poison ivy after all.

I’m guessing it’s an Acer griseum deposited by a bird that had decided to relieve itself while perched on the fence.
So, the search continues . . .

 

[Colorado]

Ok, I’ll take the bait.

Why do you want to do bonsai with poison ivy?!

I , for one, am crazy allergic to it! Perhaps not everyone has a bad reaction to it?

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

@Colorado You mean besides them looking badass?

Ha, ha!

Honestly, I wasn’t trying to bait anyone. At best, I was hoping for someone to respond with a sincere, “Hey, I’ve got one you can have!”

I want one mostly for the Autumn foliage color but, partially for the novelty. I keep a few vining species on my benches (Kadsura, Virginia Creeper, Boston Ivy, Climbing Hydrangea, Asian Bittersweet, Porcelain berry, and Hardy Kiwi.) I guess that I like the look of woody vines scattered among my trees.

 

[prunusbythesea]

Ha, next time before I pull all of ours out in spring I'll have send you a ping so you don't have to cross the bridge.

 

[rockm]

Nick Lenz had a collected poison ivy and it was a pretty good one too. He said in his book that some stupid teenager stole if from him and probably regretted the theft immediately.

In any case poison ivy --at least around here--can develop spectacular, huge trunks, almost as impressive as old wisteria--except for the hair. Poison Ivy trunks, particularly old ones, are literally covered in "hair" or rootlets. The biggest specimen near me is out on Mason Neck growing up a 100 foot sycamore tree and has a two and a half foot diameter trunk. It's been there for over 100 years.

 

[BrightsideB]

Does it not grow rampant up north. I see it everywhere here in GA. I’m doing my best this year to not get a rash. Last three years got 1-2 rashes per year…

 

[BrightsideB]

When I see poison Ivy I literally see pain.

 

[vesper818]

Here in Nothern Cali, ivy cousin poison oak puts on a singularly beautiful fall color show among mostly evergreen native plants. Tempted, but cautioned.
Photo thanks to somebody's pinterest...

 

[The Barber]

I managed to get poison ivy 4 times collecting trees this year...not a fan.

 

[BrightsideB]

I managed to get poison ivy 4 times collecting trees this year...not a fan.

Already! I find myself scouting poison ivy before anything now in my surroundings when in the woods. And if I see me or someone I’m with near it I’m like a damn tornado siren . It’s annoying but I’m on a mission to not get it this year.

Sumac, not the poisonous variety lol is also a nice fall color… just saying

 

[vp999]

Wiring time should be a lot of fun.

 

[snowman04]

Does it not grow rampant up north. I see it everywhere here in GA. I’m doing my best this year to not get a rash. Last three years got 1-2 rashes per year…

It does in Michigan. Along with Oak and Sumac...

 

[Srt8madness]

I got poison ivy systemic once...imagine poison ivy on your entire body, including your neither regions...it was NOT fun.

 

[Colorado]

@Colorado You mean besides them looking badass?

Ha, ha!

Honestly, I wasn’t trying to bait anyone. At best, I was hoping for someone to respond with a sincere, “Hey, I’ve got one you can have!”

I want one mostly for the Autumn foliage color but, partially for the novelty. I keep a few vining species on my benches (Kadsura, Virginia Creeper, Boston Ivy, Climbing Hydrangea, Asian Bittersweet, Porcelain berry, and Hardy Kiwi.) I guess that I like the look of woody vines scattered among my trees.

Haha! I was just giving you a bit of a hard time.

I think it’s a cool idea! You could go crazy with container options for a poison ivy bonsai

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Does it not grow rampant up north.

Don’t get me wrong, we have plenty of poison ivy in “The Nanny State” but, collecting a plant here is way different from the place where I grew up (Wyoming). If I bust out a shovel on Cape Cod (other than on my own property), the Environmental Police are likely to show up.
I just need to put the word out to my friends and sooner or later someone will be clearing some off their property. The only problem with that is, it will most likely be new growth without any character or caliper.
But, as the old saying goes, “Beggars can’t be choosers.”

 

[BrightsideB]

Don’t get me wrong, we have plenty of poison ivy in “The Nanny State” but, collecting a plant is way different from the place where I grew up (Wyoming). If I bust out a shovel on Cape Cod (other than on my own property), the Environmental Police are likely to show up.
I just need to put the word out to my friends and sooner or later someone will be clearing some off their property. The only problem with that is, it will most likely be new growth without any character or caliber.
But, as the old saying goes, “Beggars can’t be choosers.”

I hear that. I think it’s cool. I can’t help but see pain when I see it. Used to not give me rashes. I’d definitely have one if it still didn’t.

 

[prunusbythesea]

Don’t get me wrong, we have plenty of poison ivy in “The Nanny State” but, collecting a plant here is way different from the place where I grew up (Wyoming). If I bust out a shovel on Cape Cod (other than on my own property), the Environmental Police are likely to show up.
I just need to put the word out to my friends and sooner or later someone will be clearing some off their property. The only problem with that is, it will most likely be new growth without any character or caliper.
But, as the old saying goes, “Beggars can’t be choosers.”

Just need to get in with the Conservation department folks, ha! Around me they just make sure I'm not using my shovel for catching quahogs

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Just need to get in with the Conservation department

Unfortunately, my town’s Conservation Department already views me as an adversary. Not because of anything I’ve done but, because I have an oyster farm and if they had their way, they’d drive me off the tidal flat tomorrow. I wade through a sea of poison ivy (up on the beach) whenever I walk out onto my grant but, I don’t have the testicular fortitude to dig any out. It’s a conservation area and the last thing I need is someone seeing me digging up the flora.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

It was an honest mistake that anyone (my age, with failing vision, and who refuses to wear his glasses) could make.
My collected Acer griseum(?)


. . . poison Ivy

Right?