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Big Fat Hen.............how embarassing!
I've been trying to grow begonias from seed for 3 years and this year I finally thought I'd cracked it. Planted them up in baskets and thought, well that was worth all the work. However, as time went on, I realised something wasn't quite right, they were more like triffids! Sent pic to Thomson and Morgan ( where I got the seeds) and got a reply telling me it's a weed called Big Fat Hen and to get rid quickly before it seeds all over the garden! Oh well, try again next year! 
This is the culprit!
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Hahahah, I shouldn't laugh but I once nurtured what I thought was a lovely geranium until the little triffid flowered then realised it was a buttercup
LOL!!!
That's certainly one of the Biggest Fat Hens I've ever seen - it would give my late Pa a giggle - we spent many many hours/days/weeks even, hoeing Fat Hen seedlings out of the sugar beet fields when I was much younger.
Good luck with the begonias next year and let us know how you get on - maybe some progress reports with photos so we can spot any alien intruders at an early stage!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lol, thanks girls, I don't feel so silly now! I don't even have that particular baddie in my garden, at least I didn't before! I'll be watching carefully for any intruders, although if I can't see it at 3 feet high, I've not got much chance of seeing a seedling do I? Lol. I'll keep you updated on this years begonias/ weeds! I can only assume it arrived in the compost, so I won't be buying that brand again in a hurry, special offer or not! ?
Id never even heard of lol. I'd never even heard of it till I got the email! I don't suppose it'll be the last time I make such a c*** up! Stand by........... Lol
I remember someone here had potted up something 'precious'and carefully nurtured it. as time went on they realised it wasn't looking the way it should. She posted a pic and it also turned out be a buttercup.
She was very embarrassed, but we assured her that most of us had done something similar at some point.
I do remember telling her that it was probably the most beautiful, well cared for buttercup in the country!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Haha, now I'm pretty sure I'd recognise a buttercup, since they're everywhere if I don't keep on top of them! When I think of the time and fertiliser I wasted on these three beasties........?
By the way, I bet Thomson and Morgan are still laughing!
I know what you mean about the time and trouble spent. Chalk it up to experience!
I hope they're not just laughing, and are compensating you though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I planted a hardy Geranium a couple of years ago and was so disappointed when I checked it's progress and it had died/disappered. It had been replaced by creeping buttercups of which I have gazillions.
I left it just in case...
Yesterday I was admiring a full metre square of heavily flowering...Geranium! It happens the other way round too arranmum. As for my "salvia seedlings"...now that's a whole nuther matter.
Last edited: 24 July 2016 09:12:35
We moved into our first home, and I now had a garden! Off to Woolies I went, coming back with a pack of mixed seeds and a small bag of compost. I planted them carefully, and nurtured the two that came up, potting them on diligently. Then I had a visit from a friend, who marvelled at the 2 massive docks in plantpots on the windowsill......