I did a search on a plant called "Bed Of Nails" that I have growin from seeds from my friend Citrus Joe in Co. They have thorns growing from the leaves & stems, AND they flower & fruit. Someone said the fruits- like oranges, are good to eat. Here is a link to see Bed Of Nails...cool plant. Grows as a bush
http://www.sc.edu/usctimes/articles/2003/2003-08/bed_of_nails.html
If anyone wants seedlings, email me. I'm excited about this unusual plant! Ahhhh, more thorns for the intruders!!!!!

wow patty beautiful plant .. If i didnt have the cats id definatly want one but these guys havent learned about my cactuses Yet .. says in that artical they would grow here too .. Show us Pics Please Tammy

Thanks Tammy. Just found out JoenCo got seeds in S.Carolina last November when we were all there for expo. If I saw the plant, I think I'd remember it!
I just got seeds recently from him & planted them...they are very tiny right now. Guess I'll have to bring them inside in fall so it will fruit for more seeds.

That is a cool looking plant.. shame is would be an annual in my area..
As for the prickly pear.. I think the length of the thorn depends on the variety.. also the looks of the "skin" some are smooth and some very bumpy.. Also environment they are grown in might change the looks of a plant?? I've seen the bumpy skinned ones at the store but have never tried them. the smoother skinned ones are the ones I've eaten before.. I've been reading where some people dice them up and put them in salads or add to salsas, chili and other recipes.. Maybe some prickly pear wine is in order?? isn't there some kind of hard liquor made with a cactus?? hmmm.. guess the uses for prickly pear are limited to ones imagination..
I'm not sure the name of the grapes.. seedy.. and if memory serves me right.. slightly on the tart side... Wish the lady that owned the parent plant was still alive.. I have asked all the other neighbors but none can remember what the name of the grape vine is... All we remember is good jelly and good juice.. and we were lucky enough that she liked to can lots and share.. Some neighbors we wish we could keep forever..
GB Cliffie may she rest in peace..
Gina *BabyBlue*

Could they be Concord grapes? They are tart & the skins just slip off. Dark purple...thick skins. Not good table grapes but great for juice & jelly (& I make wine w/ them). What do you think?

hehe.. concord grapes are my favorites for table grapes. the second they come out in the summer/fall.. I buy basket fulls!!! mmmmm Not a huge fan of them in jellies or juices. different ppl, different tastes. I just love the tart taste to their skin. mmmm

Patty there is also a great Jelly Grape called "Flame" resembles a concord yet not as many seeds.. when mine come about ill take pictures .. I love this camera .. i took a photo of my neighbor 100 ft away moving making a rock and it stopped her in her tracks not one blurr.. now she wants the picture so i have Black male LOL Tammy

that is probably the one Patty.. I went out and checked on it earlier today.. I've got some runners!!! and they are rooting!!! I was surprised.. So I'll have about 3 more plants.. I didn't know that you are suppose to cut them back by 80%.. I've been letting mine grow rather wild.. Probably why I haven't gotten any decent grapes before now.. not sure if I will get many this year.. But I will be cutting it back this fall.. Hopefully I will get a great crop next year.. the trunk of the vine is probably 2" around.. The leaves are small to as large at a diner plate.
I tried looking online.. but all of the leaves look the same to me.. LOL.. bout like all citrus leaves looked the same to me a yr ago..
My neighbor came over and I told her the names of all of my citrus.. she was amazed that I could tell the difference and knew all of the names for all of the trees.. She thought I was going to plant them in the ground.. coulda knocked her over with a feather when I told her I was keeping them inside during the winter..

I'll have to get photos posted.. the finger lime is as tall as the little stick I put in with it now and is bushing out nicely.. Every thing is putting on new growth!!! My calamondin stick has buds!!!!!!!!! only 3 or 4.. but it has been not much more than a stick for months now.. I almost threw it out... In fact.. I had set it to be thrown out.. but it still had green.. so when I set out the other trees I set it out in a semi shady spot.. I decided if it makes it through the summer I'll bring it in.. if it doesn't.. it will be outside and I won't have far to take it.. But as it is showing new growth I am pleased!!! and I'm sure I'll be bringing it back in this fall..
I'll see about getting photos of the grape vine and all my other babies to post...
Gina *BabyBlue*

Hi Gina, don't prune those grapes in fall unless it's late Nov or so. Best time is in Feb - early March just before bud break. I pruned mine too late this yr-- late March - early April & they were bleeding. It really looks like the're bleeding water - and FOR 2 WEEKS! I was late but they are OK. I can send you a link on how to grow & prune grapes if you want...just email me.
I got my grapes from runners that rooted, from a lady in Oregon...she didn't know what kind they were. They just bought the house & grapes were there.
I cannot identify all my citrus by the leaves yet.. great that you can!
3 of my trees looked like "sticks" too, esp my cal! All kinds of new branches & leaves coming. They have all been sprouting new growth -- YEAY. We are finally getting good weather. BAD Spring.
I would never be able to identify a grape by the leaves LOL. If you want, & if my 'puter cooperates, I'll post some pics.

Patty you are more than welcome to post pics of your grape vines.. Would love to see them.. and THANKS for the tip!!
Here are a couple of Photos of my vines..








Need to Trim one of them.. it is making it hard to open the gate.. Bleeding?? ewwwwww..

Gina *BabyBlue*

Took some pics of my grape leaves today...hope they're as good as yours!

You are lucky to have a chain link fence for them to grow on. Mine are growing along top of stockade fence and falling all over & down into neighbors yard (they love it).Last yr., they were all the way to my deck - grew over 30 ft along top!. I cut back but I know they will be past deck by end of summer. You should see all the baby grapes on it! They run behind where I took pic about another 15-18 ft.

See how much they've grown above fence? They are growing strait up & will eventually fall over....to where? EEEK Here's another view taken yest. Camera doesn't take good pics in brite sun. It's too dark in back to see how far they are, & don't forget, they just got started here LOL.

some good pics.. I can tell that they are kinda same but different..
Nice back yard.. Hmm guess best way to tell what they are is wait for fruit.. LOL..
Thanks for posting the pics..
Gina *BabyBlue*