Uses for hedge apples/osage oranges?

debbiebofjc · #1 09/15/08, 01:30 PM

I've heard they supposedly deter spiders if you put some in basements or closets, but does anyone know of any other uses?

debbiebofjc · #2 09/15/08, 01:42 PM

OK, I should've googled it first.
Did you know people are SELLING these things?
People BUY them?! Wow, I didn't know there was a market for those.
Evidently people do buy them as spider/insect repellants.
They are not cheap either. Here is just one of several websites: http://hedge-apples.com/
Hmmm, does anybody need any Osage Oranges? I can fix you up!

sewtlm · #3 09/15/08, 02:31 PM

They make interesting crafts too.

Slice and dry to make a flower.

Farmerwilly2 · #4 09/15/08, 03:35 PM

Let age on the side of the hill till late Dec. or Mid. Jan. and then throw at your little brother, the splatter factor is unbelievable.

SteveD(TX) · #5 09/15/08, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmerwilly2

Let age on the side of the hill till late Dec. or Mid. Jan. and then throw at your little brother, the splatter factor is unbelievable.

We used to have horse apple fights. There was a road down the street where I grew up, that was lined with horse apple trees (what we called them) on both sides. Splatter factor would mean that you could take out a couple of guys if you hit the tree next to them.

MELOC · #6 09/15/08, 03:44 PM

i think i read once that the fruit needs to be placed on an aluminum pie plate or foil to work as an insect repellant. is that true?

Phantomfyre · #7 09/15/08, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmerwilly2

...till late Dec. or Mid. Jan. and then throw at your little brother, the splatter factor is unbelievable.

Splatter factor? If you did that in N. IL at that time of the year, you'd be in big trouble for knocking your little brother's teeth out! LOL.

Batting practice. Fetch with the dog. Bocce ball. Got a spud gun?

debbiebofjc · #8 09/15/08, 03:56 PM

Yes, my 9 year old son would love the hedge apple fight idea.
I don't know that you have to put them on aluminum foil or pie plate, but you would want
to set them on something if you were putting it somewhere where you didn't want a stain on the floor when it started to get rotten.
I read on one website that they can be used to make a colorful glaze for ceramics. Maybe I'll tell my friend about that, she does pottery.

pickapeppa · #9 09/15/08, 04:03 PM

We were told by an old timer once they were good mouse deterrants. So my husband stopped several times on his way home to collect them along the roadside. Then placed them all around the foundation of our house. We had the worst mouse infestation that year than ever before.

BaronsMom · #10 09/15/08, 04:12 PM

http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/articl...dgeapple.shtml

tamsam · #11 09/15/08, 07:44 PM

We used the 2 years ago and had very few lady bugs and I would say no other bugs all winter. Where abouts do you live? I even tried to raise a few tree but they got eaten after I sat them out. I would love to have a few. Sam

Farmerwilly2 · #12 09/15/08, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantomfyre

Splatter factor? If you did that in N. IL at that time of the year, you'd be in big trouble for knocking your little brother's teeth out! LOL.

Batting practice. Fetch with the dog. Bocce ball. Got a spud gun?

I reckon you'd need to adjust for ya'lls location. Here in KY Dec/Jan timeframe gave them enough time to freeze and thaw a few times. Splatter factor is defined by the season. It could be spent maters, puffball mushrooms, apples or peaches. I don't guess there ain't much we ain't chucked at one another at some time of the year. No wonder mom went gray so early.

debbiebofjc · #13 09/16/08, 07:52 AM

tamsam,
I sent you a PM.

Quint · #14 09/17/08, 04:22 PM

They make great plinking targets. When hit with a .22 hollowpoint they deliver a pleasing spray of pulp but they're solid enough to stand 2 or 3 shoots before totally disintegrating. When I'm practicing for deer season I place a bunch out in the field behind the house at various distances and start trying to hit them at long range with my deer rifle. They're difficult to connect with at range but a high velocity round impacting one gives a satisfying result when you do. I figure if I can obliterate a hedge ball at the various distances I spread them across the field I should be able to hit the vitals of a deer.