Any advice for spotted knapweed l

[Angus 1895]

Any body have any experience controlling it?

Thanks

 

[Barndog56]

I got rid of it with Triclopyr 4 from Keystone Pest Solutions. I mowed it off and then sprayed 2 weeks later when it was regrowing. Triclopyr will kill all of the other broadleaves it touches too though.

 

[Angus 1895]

We have a nice amount of alfalfa in the pasture the knapweed is. Clover too.

 

[Angus 1895]

I’m going to mow, then spot spray with 2 4 D , I don’t want a residual like milestones because I want more legume. I’m thinking. Also considering introducing the root weevil if I can get my wife’s approval to buy them.

 

[homerj]

Stinger kills knapweed dead, but definitely leaves a residual.

 

[SD51555]

That’s a low calcium, high manganese weed. I might guess you have a clay soil and lower pH.

I don’t know if anything is gonna take that out without taking your clover and alfalfa with it. Check your soil test for pH and calcium levels. Calcitic Lime and gypsum probably won’t knock it out 100%, but could weaken it enough to where it’s not dominant any longer. Change the conditions and you change the output.

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[Brian662]

That’s a low calcium, high manganese weed. I might guess you have a clay soil and lower pH.

I don’t know if anything is gonna take that out without taking your clover and alfalfa with it. Check your soil test for pH and calcium levels. Calcitic Lime and gypsum probably won’t knock it out 100%, but could weaken it enough to where it’s not dominant any longer. Change the conditions and you change the output.

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I'm afraid knapweed is a prolific seeder and prevalent in many soil types. A co-worker has been dealing with it for many years on very sandy soil in Central WI. Nasty stuff.

 

[Angus 1895]

The soil is a pH of 7.3.

The knapweed is prevelant where irrigation is challenged.

It also doesn’t like being mowed.

 

[Angus 1895]

How ever mowing doesn’t eliminate it.

Here is the problem area next to a mowed area. Under close observation the knapweed is still there. Just shorter

 

[makinprairie]

6 plus years ago I forest mulched, sprayed and seeded 28 acres with native species. Spotted Knapweed was and continues to be my most challenging invasive species.

The initial spraying used Milestone in the mix due to the already abundant spotted kanpweed. I have continued yearly to use a Milestone spot treatment in set areas. If the back pack sprayer wand is set correctly and wind conditions are low there is very little damage to surrounding natives.

I also have bio-controls , both the root weevils and flower head weevils working away. They DO make a difference but they will never eradicate the spotted knapweed. Spot spraying can take place from the initial emergence to the flower stage but well before the flower is ready to seed.

Mowing just encourages the knapweed plant to flower at a lower height. If I do mow it is Just before the initial growing season plant flowers have viable seed. My thoughts are that may prevent a second round of flower production before the end of the growing season , but the jury is sill out on that one.

Any ground disturbance will explode the knapweed density in the next growing season.

My land is in Central Wisconsin in sand country. While I do hand pull knapweed occasionally I was told by a person very well versed in Spotted Knapweed control in Wisconsin to STOP hand pulling. He said all I am doing is pulling a plant and due to the ground disturbance I will see 2 or 3 newly germinated plants the next growing season.

Good luck with your control efforts, it is a tough nut to crack!

 

[Angus 1895]

6 plus years ago I forest mulched, sprayed and seeded 28 acres with native species. Spotted Knapweed was and continues to be my most challenging invasive species.

The initial spraying used Milestone in the mix due to the already abundant spotted kanpweed. I have continued yearly to use a Milestone spot treatment in set areas. If the back pack sprayer wand is set correctly and wind conditions are low there is very little damage to surrounding natives.

I also have bio-controls , both the root weevils and flower head weevils working away. They DO make a difference but they will never eradicate the spotted knapweed. Spot spraying can take place from the initial emergence to the flower stage but well before the flower is ready to seed.

Mowing just encourages the knapweed plant to flower at a lower height. If I do mow it is Just before the initial growing season plant flowers have viable seed. My thoughts are that may prevent a second round of flower production before the end of the growing season , but the jury is sill out on that one.

Any ground disturbance will explode the knapweed density in the next growing season.

My land is in Central Wisconsin in sand country. While I do hand pull knapweed occasionally I was told by a person very well versed in Spotted Knapweed control in Wisconsin to STOP hand pulling. He said all I am doing is pulling a plant and due to the ground disturbance I will see 2 or 3 newly germinated plants the next growing season.

Good luck with your control efforts, it is a tough nut to crack!


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Can u spare some of the bugs?

I guess they are easy to collect, my wife doesn’t want to buy them when she heard Minnesota gives them away.

Thanks.

 

[makinprairie]

Can u spare some of the bugs?

Last summer I had some friends with land and spotted knapweed come to my land and picked flower head weevils.
If you send me a private message we can discuss the possibility. :)

 

[Angus 1895]

Awesomeness!

I will in the morning. Been on a way too long river float today , I’m beat!