The herbicide spritz technique is suitable for precise
control of broad-leaved herbaceous invasive plants, especially clonal species
such as Canada goldenrod and perennial sunflowers. This technique makes use of
a high concentration of an oil-soluble herbicide (such as Garlon 4) diluted to 20% with
a penetrating bark oil. Only a few drops of herbicide on the meristem or one or
two leaves is all that is necessary. The herbicide quickly penetrates the leaf
and spreads throughout the plant. Response is very rapid.
During the mid-summer
growing season, the sprayed plant usually shows a discoloration or wilting response
in a few hours. Within several days even leaves on that stem that have not been sprayed
begin to respond, and within a week the whole plant is moribund. If all stems of
the clone are spritzed, then the complete clone is eradicated and does not
return the following year.
Although labor intensive, this technique is very selective
and hence suitable for control of invasive perennial weeds in planted or
remnant prairies and savannas.
The herbicide mix used is identical to that used for basal
bark treatment of woody plants. Hence, both woody and herbaceous weeds can be
dealt with on the same pass through a natural area.
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Dense clone of invasive sunflower |
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Single stem that has been spritzed (red dye used as marker). |
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During the early summer growing season, response is very rapid. These plants had been spritzed the day before. Note discoloration and death of leaves. |
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Clone that had been spritzed two weeks before. |
Canada goldenrod stems that had been spritzed a few days before. Only one or two leaves were spritzed on each stem. A "wipe" technique can also be used with a sponge or glove applicator. Care must be taken to ensure that each stem of the clone is treated.
2 Comments:
Your blogs are great, Tom! I learn so much from your experiences. Have you found any herbaceous plants in which this Garlon 4A spritz technique does not work? As with glyphosate treatments, is it important that the plants be in good condition for this to work?
Thanks,
Nathan Robertson-the Chiwaukee Prairie
Tom, your blog is great! I learn so much from your experiences. Have you found any herbaceous plants on which this Garlon 4 spritz technique doesn't work? Is it important that the plants be in good shape when employing this herbicide this way?
Thanks!
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