[IBC] Somewhat OT: Getting rid of convolvulus

Nicolas Steenhout

Ok, not strictly bonsai, but most definitely garden related, and the bloody
thing was creeping its way to one of my bonsai.

I have a most definite invasion of convolvulus on my hands. I *think* it is
Convolvulus arvensis, though it could be another flavour of the critter. It
seems to send out a lot of rhizomes, both on the surface and deeper in the
ground. Lifting the weedmat, found a "spaghetti bowl" of the white root.
When the plant grows, it wraps itself around the plants I want to keep (in
this case, rose bushes, about 40 of them!), and slowly strangles them.

I can't seem to find a satisfactory way to get rid of them. A couple local
garden centres agreed the thing was noxious in the area, but were short on
ideas to get rid of them without damaging the roses.

I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have on the matter.

Thanks, and cheers

Nic
Lower North Island, Aotearoa / New Zealand

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Kevin Bailey

Hi Nic

The way I deal with this in situations where other plants prevent me
using a sprayed systemic weedkiller is to encourage some tip growth up a
cane and then unwind it. This end can then easily and safely be dropped
into a jam jar of the diluted weedkiller. My preferred type is
Glyphosate as this translocates throughout the plant but breaks down
harmlessly in the soil.

It also works on some other horrendous weeds like Equisetum and
Butterbur (dunno the Latin) but the Victorians introduced it here as a
garden plant and tobacco substitute!

Cheers

Kev Bailey


Ok, not strictly bonsai, but most definitely garden related, and the
bloody
thing was creeping its way to one of my bonsai.

I have a most definite invasion of convolvulus on my hands. I *think*
it is
Convolvulus arvensis, though it could be another flavour of the critter.
It
seems to send out a lot of rhizomes, both on the surface and deeper in
the
ground. Lifting the weedmat, found a "spaghetti bowl" of the white
root.
When the plant grows, it wraps itself around the plants I want to keep
(in
this case, rose bushes, about 40 of them!), and slowly strangles them.

I can't seem to find a satisfactory way to get rid of them. A couple
local
garden centres agreed the thing was noxious in the area, but were short
on
ideas to get rid of them without damaging the roses.

I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have on the matter.

Thanks, and cheers

Nic
Lower North Island, Aotearoa / New Zealand

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++