Anybody ever tried growing Capers ?

[vegmandan]

I was wondering if anyone had ever tried to grow capers and if it was possible to do so over here.

Also I can't seem to find anyone selling seed anywhere.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[MaureenHall]

Not grown capers, but I read somewhere (might have even been in a cookery book) that nasturtium seeds are a good substitute

[DavidJP]

I think they need more heat than is available in the Uk to grow well, but never tried myself

Caper - Capparis spinosa

[Seahorse]

Seeds of Italy sell them:

Seeds of Italy - CAPERS

If you don't want loads, you can have some of mine! I only bought them to experiment with, so don't need a whole packet. Drop me a PM if I can help

[Snadger]

I pickled some nasturtium seedpods last year......

[Woofster]

Also Chiltern Seeds sell them.

[TonyF]

and King's Seeds sell them.

[hamsterqueen]

what were the results lilke snadger?

I am being swamped under by nasturtiums this year, haven;t planted any for 2 years!!

[zazen999]

Did anyone get these to grow?

I was asked how to germinate them at the village show meeting this week, and I have taken some to try and germinate them for my chum.

[simplesamen]

I am in the process of trying capers. I bought from Seeds of Italy, via eBay. Followed instructions of soaking 24 hours, then in fridge for a month, then out in little seed trays inside a sealed ziplock back to create a mini greenhouse. This years summer has been warm enough in U.K. for three of them to sprout. Currently watching for any more sprouts. I've pricked out the three and potted on into a slightly large pot. I'm waiting to see if they survive or grow strong enough to plant out. They're very delicate at the mo.

[sparrow100]

I don't have any in the UK, my seeds failed. My ex-FIL has them growing out of a wall in his garden - in fact lots of caper plants are thriving in the old Roman walls in local towns. They are very wispy, trailing and frail looking things, but they seem to survive a wide range of temperatures as long as they don't get too damp.

[Jay-ell]

I picked nasturtium seeds last year and like them on pizza - not quite the same as the shop bought jar of capers but I think that's mostly the vinegar recipe.

Forgot to grow them this year (or rather I expected them to come back by themselves as usual but they didn't)

[sparrow100]

Another vote for pickled nasturtium seeds if the capers fail - if you google Poor Man's Capers you'll find lots of recipes.