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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 18:45:25
Kudzu advice?
It spread from my rear yard, where we've been fighting it for years, to my front yard. And now it's heading toward the front door.
Yipes!
What do I do?
It's easy to pull off, but seemingly impossible to eradicate. And if I spray it with herbicide, it'll kill what's under it.
Not that that isn't tempting.
If it gets through the front door...
Posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 18:52:27
In reply to Gardenergirl or other gardeners?, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 18:45:25
Oh great. My research shows that one herbicide makes it grow faster, and others are ineffective.
So my backup plan is out.
Posted by Phillipa on July 27, 2006, at 20:21:56
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners?, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 18:52:27
I've heard a long time ago that it was used somehow in alcholism? To help stop drinking? Love Phillipa
Posted by Gabbi~G on July 27, 2006, at 20:23:38
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners?, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 18:52:27
Just sympathy. Is it related to zucchini? (I kid)
I was googling out of curiosity, but I knew if there was a google answer you'd have found it.
When you see an article that shows pictures of cars covered in it, and says "really the only answer is to let livestock graze on it"
Well..That about says it all.
I hope it doesn't start helping itself to your lemonade.
Posted by happyflower on July 27, 2006, at 20:49:39
In reply to No Help here.. » Dinah, posted by Gabbi~G on July 27, 2006, at 20:23:38
Hi Dinah,
In my mastergardening book it says you can either dig it all out or go to your gardening store and ask them for a strong product that will kill it but not your grass. But it could take several treatments.
I will look up and see if there is a more organic way of doing it. Maybe boiling water or a vineger water treatment or if you have a dog, let him pee on it. LOL
I do know it is one of the most invasive weeds out there. Good luck.
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 27, 2006, at 20:54:40
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners?, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 18:52:27
Dinah,
Not a gardener, but as someone who is somewhat familiar with that monster, learn to love it! Or take out your frustrations on it by hacking it to death!
MidnightBlue
> Oh great. My research shows that one herbicide makes it grow faster, and others are ineffective.
>
> So my backup plan is out.
Posted by llrrrpp on July 27, 2006, at 21:00:11
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners? » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on July 27, 2006, at 20:54:40
My dad used to get out all his anger by digging it out. he never did any other yardwork except kudzu control. I think he used a pickaxe, hoe and perhaps a flamethrower/automatic machine gun to conquer his foe.
One time he brought home his trophy. He found the last little leaves sprouting up from the former patch and started digging and found a root about the size and thickness of a baseball bat. He brought it home and kept it on the bookshelf for a couple of years. I think digging is the only thing that works. Lots of work. Kind of the plant equivalent of the groundhog.
((((kudzuchopping))))
-ll
Posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 21:05:13
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners? » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on July 27, 2006, at 20:54:40
lol.
It's so darned tenacious. I've tried following it down to the source. It's like it's almost intelligent. It gives up part of itself, but manages to stay alive at the subterranean level. Or it will grow so intertwined with the base of a plant that it's hard to completely yank out. I pulled out most of the back garden to plant flowering trees so I could get to it more easily, and it turns around and goes to the front.
I need to draw a line in the sand, though. It's bad enough that it's taken over my yard. But I have to establish a safe perimeter for my entranceway.
Posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 21:08:25
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners?, posted by llrrrpp on July 27, 2006, at 21:00:11
rofl.
You paint quite a picture. I can picture my own father doing that.
I don't have that kind of stamina, so I guess the kudzu will win. :)
Posted by gardenergirl on July 27, 2006, at 21:17:58
In reply to Gardenergirl or other gardeners?, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 18:45:25
I wish I knew. We don't have it nearly as much here as you do in the south. Although that may just be a matter of time. Along I75 into Tennessee, they seem to have found something that works. You can see huge stretches of dead kudzu. I have no idea what they use. Maybe the TN state website might have some answers?
I tried Dave's Garden Web, which has an invasive plant forum (and tons of others). I'm sure there must be something there, but on a quick search I didn't find any eradication measures except livestock.
Sorry.
Maybe make some nice topiaries? Hmmm, a Dr. Bob kudzu topiary might be rather interesting. ;)
gg
Posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 21:21:27
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners? » Dinah, posted by gardenergirl on July 27, 2006, at 21:17:58
I wonder if my husband would consider this adequate reason to buy a pony?
:)
Posted by gardenergirl on July 27, 2006, at 21:23:09
In reply to Re: Gardenergirl or other gardeners? » gardenergirl, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 21:21:27
Posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 22:05:29
In reply to I think you might have better luck with a goat ;) (nm) » Dinah, posted by gardenergirl on July 27, 2006, at 21:23:09
I've never had a pony. :)
Posted by MidnightBlue on July 27, 2006, at 22:45:22
In reply to But I've had a goat. » gardenergirl, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 22:05:29
How about sheep? Then you could shear them and spin the wool!
> I've never had a pony. :)
Posted by Racer on July 28, 2006, at 1:24:54
In reply to Re: But I've had a goat. » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on July 27, 2006, at 22:45:22
> How about sheep? Then you could shear them and spin the wool!
>
>
>
> > I've never had a pony. :)
>
>Yes! Get either Polwarth or Wensleydale, and I'll bring my spinning wheel and a couple of spindles!
Posted by gardenergirl on July 28, 2006, at 9:46:31
In reply to But I've had a goat. » gardenergirl, posted by Dinah on July 27, 2006, at 22:05:29
What happened? Did someone get your goat??
:^D
Posted by Dinah on July 28, 2006, at 10:47:55
In reply to Re: But I've had a goat., posted by gardenergirl on July 28, 2006, at 9:46:31
lol.
Grandpa brought home three goats once. Mine wasn't as frisky as his name, and died. :(
I'm not sure what happened to the others. Most of my farm "pets" ended up being eaten.
A sheep sounds nice. Lambs are cute, and maybe I could get a sheepdog. :)
(At the mere mention, my husband decided to spend the weekend hacking at the kudzu most likely to enter the house.)
Posted by Tabitha on July 28, 2006, at 11:18:24
In reply to Re: But I've had a goat. » gardenergirl, posted by Dinah on July 28, 2006, at 10:47:55
> (At the mere mention, my husband decided to spend the weekend hacking at the kudzu most likely to enter the house.)Now that's the way to get chores done. Put a little fear into the hubby. Bravo, Dinah.
Posted by tofuemmy on July 28, 2006, at 16:45:48
In reply to Re: But I've had a goat., posted by gardenergirl on July 28, 2006, at 9:46:31
Posted by happyflower on July 28, 2006, at 20:30:17
In reply to Oh GG! No biscuit!!! (nm), posted by tofuemmy on July 28, 2006, at 16:45:48
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
For successful long term control of kudzu, the extensive root system must be destroyed. Any remaining root crowns can lead to reinfestation of an area. Mechanical methods involve cutting vines just above ground level and destroying all cut material. Close mowing every month for two growing seasons or repeated cultivation may be effective. Cut kudzu can be fed to livestock, burned or enclosed in plastic bags and sent to a landfill. If conducted in the spring, cutting must be repeated as regrowth appears to exhaust the plant's stored carbohydrate reserves. Late season cutting should be followed up with immediate application of a systemic herbicide (e.g., glyphosate) to cut stems, to encourage transport of the herbicide into the root system. Repeated applications of several soil-active herbicides have been used effectively on large infestations in forestry situations. Efforts are being organized by the U.S. Forest Service to begin a search for biological control agents for kudzu.
Control of well established kudzu stands can take up to 10 years. Persistent eradication of all root material is the key to the control of this pest, keeping in mind that a single kudzu patch may extend past landowner boundaries. The most effective method of control will depend on several factors: size of infested area, proximity to sensitive species or other desirable vegetation, and accessibility of the patch. Small patches of kudzu that are not well established (usually ones less that ten years old) can be eliminated by persistent weeding, mowing, or grazing during the growing season over a period of three to four years. Unfortunately, with root systems that can be up to 12 feet deep, eradication by direct root removal is not practical.
Long-term treatment of heavily infested sites usually requires the application of herbicides over a period of up to five years to inhibit the growth of new shoots. Biodegradable glyphosate herbicides are recommended for control of kudzu in natural areas. Because glyphosate is a systemic, nonselective herbicide that affects all green vegetation, treatments should be carefully timed and applied by trained applicators. The best time for application of these herbicides is at the end of the growing season when the plants are actively transporting nutrients from the leaves and stems to root systems. When applied at the proper time, herbicides are transported to the roots where they kill the entire plant.In some areas, prescribed burning may be used as a follow-up treatment after herbicide application. Although it should be carefully and professionally handled, this two step process is effective in clearing out leaf litter and speeding re colonization of an area by desirable native plant species.
Consult with an agricultural extension agent or a natural resource specialist for assistance in designing and implementing a kudzu control program.
This is the end of the thread.
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