On Wed, 14 Jan 1998 21:24:38 -0500, Nadine Kujawa
wrote:
Subject: Advice needed...
I am writing this for a friend who says that her Mom planted bindweed
morning glories in her flowerbeds years ago and now cannot get rid of
it. It has climbed on many other plants and shrubs. They pull it off and
think they have it pulled out and it reappears. They don't want to use
Roundup because it will also kill other neighboring greenery. Any
suggestions?? Thanks??
---------------------------------------------
Nadine, your friend's mom may be able eradicate the bindweed with
glycophosphate (Roundup) in two ways without harming the neighboring
plants. Method 1(to be use when bindweed is in full leaf and at least a
full day before any rain is expected: Paint or otherwise rub some
concentrated (almost full strength) Roundup directly on the bindweed
leaves without spraying. You can use an art paintbrush, or you can put
cotton glove on over top of a latex glove and dip fingers into the
Roundup and rub onto the leaves. Method 2, which is what I call "cut
stem technology" is best done in the fall, when the flow of plant
"juices" is primarily toward the root. Cut clean through the main stem
of the bindweed and apply full strength Roundup concentrate directly to
the cut stem with an art paintbrush (this is like a mainline pipe
directly to the roots). May need reapplication in some cases, as I have
had mixed results with this. Large stemmed plants(or maybe larger rooted
plants) seem to need more than one dose. Usually takes 2 weeks to see
any results.
As I am sure many of you out there know already, Roundup is considered
by most to be a "biodegradable" product, and has little or no soil
activity. After the product dries, it soon breaks down into basic,
naturally occuring elements and compounds, at least one of which is
actually a plant nutrient!! (by then, it has fatally upset the chemistry
of the plant that it was applied to). I use all organic methods in my
landscape and garden, yet I do not hesitate to use glycophosphate when
needed. This is not an advertisement for Roundup, just complements on
what I consider a great "new age" garden tool. Just be sure what you are
eradicating is actually a weed, and not a non-showy native plant put
there for a reason. [Don't get me started on my definition of a weed]
(note: please do not apply very near bodies of water, as it is toxic to
fish in the liquid state, and also I wouldn't let my dog or barefoot
children run through it in the liquid state).
Kevin
I've had good luck getting rid of bindweed with just continual clean
cultivation for a couple of years. As in every two weeks or less, hoe
everything in the area down. Eventually the root reserves are exhausted,
and that's that. HOWEVER, I don't attempt to grow anything in the
immediate vicinity, so I can spot sprouts instantly. I've also never
had to deal with a long-established infestation... roots can be as
deep as 5 meters (18 ft?) and struggle along for 50 years of ordinary
cultivation and weeding.
I believe Finale is labeled for bindweed, too. Most commercial firms
seem to use 2,4 D and Tordon as a combinations. Check with your local
extension service... they may have some locally useful control measures.
Kay Lancaster kay@fern.com
Hi Kevin, I have a plague of this stuff in the French garden and curse it each
year. I use the roundup neat with a paint brush and have some success with it.
Over there we also have a product for it called "contre les liserons"
(liserons being bindweed). It comes in an aerosol can and you spray the leaves
with it. However in the end I feel the only real way to get rid of it is by
DIGGING, and I mean deep down pits and removing very scrap of it. In point of
fact even this will not really work as even the smallest piece left will
resurface. It's all a matter of patience and just battling with it year after
year.
Mary.
Digging out bindweed would be pretty tough since the roots run 20 to 30
feet deep.
Jo Ellen Sharp
Indianapolis
HI, I have a question about bindweed.....is it true that it looks like
morning glories? And if so, how do you tell the two apart? My next
door neighbor planted what was supposedly morning glories on the fence
between our two properties, but I have been dismayed to find it
wrapped around some of my plants right beside the fence, but also on
the other side of the garden. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.
Marilyn in Massachusetts
Easiest way (not conclusive, but 90%+) is to look at the size of the
flowers. Hedge and field bindweeds (Convolvulus sepium and C. arvense)
have flowers less than about 1.25" across. Most of the cultivated
morningglories (Ipomoea species) have larger flowers. Some of them can be
pretty invasive, too.
Kay Lancaster kay@fern.com
I'm starting to get the picture that I have some bindweed. It grew last
year on my chain-link-fence tomato patch protector. I see I have my work
cut out for me. Thank you!
Wyn in CT
Marilyn wrote:
