Drugs, placenta & eating ...

[MindfulMama]

We planted a nectarine tree which is nurtured by DS's placenta and it is now beraring fruit (quite a few buds - yay!). But, I'm not sure whether the fruit is OK to eat? DS was pre-term & I (sadly) had a variety of drugs during labour (pethedine to try & stop labour, antibiotics, steroids, syntocin). Anyone know whether these drugs would still be in the placenta & going through to the fruit? Ta

[hanabi]

Are there worms in the soil? That's a pretty good indicator as to the soil's toxicity. I don't have any evidence but I would say that the traces of those drugs would be so small as to be almost insignificant - particularly if you've planted it in the ground.

But wise gardeners will tell you to sacrifice the first generation of fruit so that the tree can use that energy to grow stronger branches and roots. In the long term, you'll end up with a healthier tree.

[MindfulMama]

Thanks Jodie

The tree is in a pot as we always knew we wouldn't be staying in this house "forever". So, no worms that I know of.

I will have to convince DS to sacrifice the 1st generation of fruit - they are tiny little buds that are green & hard and he is having a ball picking them off & nibbling on them Do I just pick them off to help the tree, or wait till they get bigger?

[hanabi]

You can prune all the branches back by about a third if you want to be radical. but yes, just pick them off now.

And if the pot has ever sat on the grass or on dirt for a spell it's quite likely there are worms in there. I reckon you won't need to worry about any trace of drugs in the soil by now.

[MindfulMama]

Ta

When the next lot of fabulously juicy fruit appears I'll be sure to drop some round!

[hanabi]

Lovely!