How to kill Russian Vine

[rovermorris999]

As the title says, how to kill this evil plant? I've just cleared a large area of Russian Vine which has been there for years. There are lots of roots left so I need a strong weedkiller that I can spot spray as it's bound to come up again. Any ideas? Glyphosate didn't seem to touch it last time I tried it. It needs to be something that doesn't linger in the soil as I can to grass the area.

[randlemarcus]

Glyphosate is the strongest contact weedkiller you're going to get, but there are different strengths available - do you know a friendly farmer or groundsman to get the good stuff?

Try it with a dash of washing up liquid, as I think Russian Vine has a slight shiny/waterproof leaf, and the washing up liquid breaks down that coating to the poison is better absorbed.

If you have longer term plans for the grass, you might consider a dose of "compost accelerator", but leave it longer than the Glyphosate.

[Simpo Two]

Glyphosate is translocated not contact. You say you have only roots left, so it won't work as there are no leaves to absorb it.

If you can't dig the roots out, wait until leaves grow back. Apply on a dry day when the plant is actively growing and when rain is unlikely for 24-48 hours. Repeat every 2-3 weeks. Eventually you will win - but you need to get the application correct (sprayer is better than watering can) and be patient.

[rovermorris999]

I have the decent glyphosate, I get it from an agricultural merchant. I was expecting to have to wait for some leaves, looks like many happy hours spraying ahead of me. A pity there's no magic bullet! Thanks for the replies.

[Q Car]

Inject it into the root collar: Cut a main stem to 4 to 6 inches above ground level - preferably the straightest, thickest one you have. Get your power drill out and select a wood drill approx 50% of the diameter of the stem. Drill the centre of the stem out to as close to ground level as you can. Get a Calpol/Ibuprofen syringe and fill the stem cavity up to the top. Stick a freezer bag over the end and seal it with an elastic bag. Stand back and enjoy the muffled sound of plant screams....

Check the reservoir you've created in the stem every week to 10 days and replace whatever fluid has been absorbed into the xylem for 4 to 6 weeks.

And now back to writing Japanese Knotweed management plans......

[dirkgently]

For a small fee I will send my wife around to nurture it, two weeks should be enough to see it off.

[Simpo Two]

Q Car said:

Check the reservoir you've created in the stem every week to 10 days and replace whatever fluid has been absorbed into the xylem for 4 to 6 weeks.

Xylem goes up, phloem goes down. But I agree that the stuff might diffuse usefully. If you're going for the stump then low-tech SBK might be better - what do you think?

[Q Car]

Thanks for the plant biology update. It's been 30 years since the A-level, and things get a bit blurred after a while.

I normally do my invasive weed control with 15 tonne excavators, lots of visqueen and some strategically placed Picloram, so I am more than happy to bow to your superior bio science understanding if you want to improve on my recommendations to help to OP finish off his unwanted russian imigrant?...

[rovermorris999]

The trouble with the Russian vine is that there aren't nice big roots or trunks to attack, just a cat's cradle of roots each about an inch across. It's a reasonable area too, one of 150 square metres and another of 100. Most of it is going to be rough grass which will be topped off so I'm going to seed with grass, attack any main growths of RV and hope that repeatedly being chopped off by the topper will sort it.
It was fun clearing it. We chopped off at the base then put a long strap round a big chunk and pulled it out with my old Dexta. It came out in car-sized bundles.

[Mr GrimNasty]

I dug one out and I didn't find it that persistent. I just dug out or mashed up any bits of root that started to re-sprout for a year, then it gave up and the remaining roots just rotted off.

[Myles Peraua]

Is Russian Vine that stuff which grows every summer and twists itself around any and every stem of a host plant? Produces big white flowers at some point?

[Mr GrimNasty]

Myles Peraua said:

Is Russian Vine that stuff which grows every summer and twists itself around any and every stem of a host plant? Produces big white flowers at some point?

That's probably https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=241

[rovermorris999]

This is the stuff
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening...

I used to know it a mile-a-minute.

[Myles Peraua]

Mr GrimNasty said:

Myles Peraua said:

Is Russian Vine that stuff which grows every summer and twists itself around any and every stem of a host plant? Produces big white flowers at some point?

That's probably https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=241

Bindweed, yes, that's the stuff. I have tried the trick they say about untwining it and weedkillering on the ground but probably haven't been persistent enough.


Thanks for that.