Topic: Mares tail

[jethro]

Hi all, me again  ;D can anyone help with how to get rid of this bl**dy mares tail in my lottie  ??? i've tried for 7 years to date with weed killer, digging out the roots, using explosives http://( not reccomended  ::) ) it didn't half break the soil down though,and now my wife has bought me a rotovator and i know i can't use it or it will spread rapidly >:( . A friend who was a pitman said that the roots of this little devil was growing through the ceiling of the seam, so what chance have i got  ??? .
So if anybody has got any ideas pleeeeeeeease let me know.

[rdak]

hi
I've heard that some people have had some success with bruising the foliage by hand and then spraying on Roundup mixed with some washing-up liquid, which makes it more of a foam and helps stick.

But to be honest, most folks on my allotment say you just have to learn to live with it. And at least it makes a good pot scourer!

[jethro]

Hi rdak, tried that crushed it with my hands, feet, head everything even jumping up and down with the spade, what a sight that was :P had the lads on the lottie rolling all over with laughter  :-/ . I've lived with it for 7 years so will have to live with for life :-/ .

[Tenuse]

maybe you can invent a wind-powered chopperiser with mares tail sensors, on wheels so that it can move around the allotment and destroy mares tail automatically when it grows!!!!

Ten x

(only kidding!)

[jethro]

Hi Tenuse, tried that, it went for the horses in the next lottie :D ;) . should have seen that performance ::) . I'm thinking of trying a sloar powered one though with sensors so when it hits the raised beds it turns around and starts again ;D , then i can sit with my feet up drinking Jack daniels in a tall frozen glass 8) ;D .

[Tenuse]

I'm assuming that the frozen glass has been frozen by a cunning arrangement of small squirrels roped together and tempted by a bunch of ripe acorns to gambol endlessly on a hamster wheel, thus generating enough electricity to power your small shed-freezer.

Ten x

[jethro]

Hi Tenuse, sorry wrong ;) not squirrels but big dogs, :o you see the freezer is sooooooooo big  ;D the poor squirrels would not be able to run that fast :-[  and i need a cold drink now and then when digging so i employ dogs. They are paid by the hour with fresh meat :P laced with steroids for energy, and they don't half keep the 'daniels' cool and refreshing :P ;D . I now need a device for planting the veggies, any ideas ???

[merv]

HIya  :)

Manufacturer's Blurb. ('tho I know of one plot holder who says he's been successful with it)?

Horsetail (Equisetum spp. mare's tail)

Horsetail is difficult to eradicate because it spreads via deep tubers or roots and also via spores. It is one of the oldest forms of plant life and these spores give rise to moss like plants which produce sperm and need damp conditions to swim to fertilise the female. So usually growth of Horsetail is a sign that the area is prone to dampness.

The tubers of the Horsetail can grow very deep once established and there are reports of miners finding them at 3 metres below soil level!

ROOT OUT is an obvious choice against Horsetail because of its potency, it is systemic and not inactivated by the soil. However, one of the problems with Horsetail is that it tends to grow through other, wanted, plants - and ROOT OUT if applied without care could kill these too.

Suggested Method of Treatment

When the Horsetail starts to show for the season (usually late spring):
Move from the affected area any plants which you want to save. However, be careful because the Horsetail tubers may be transferred with their root system and thus serve to perpetuate the problem.

Treat the area with 100g/500ml/m2 (2lb/gallon/100sq feet) ROOT OUT in either a plastic watering can (wash out very well afterwards) or sprayer.

After 8-12 weeks you can replant the area, but it is quite likely that you will still find weaker growth of Horsetail reappearing (although some trials claim to have eradicated Horsetail in one season with one application). Make up a small amount (sufficient for one week) of the 100g/500ml solution and store in a well labelled container (out of childrens reach, etc) and pour down the fronds (unless in the middle of a wanted plant) as or when they appear. This is time consuming, there is no doubt, but it does allow you to replant the garden and avoid it looking unsightly.

If you do not want to replant, leave for the season and see whether you get regrowth, and treat as necessary

[Hugh_Jones]

So what are you waiting for? Go on - we`re all dying to hear what happens.

[Tenuse]

Jethro, I think that sadly the only solution for planting veggies is the same as that for eradicating mares tail - a lot of HARD WORK ALCOHOL

Ten x

[jethro]

Hi Merv, thanks for that tip? ;D i will try it next Spring when the little blighters appear >:( the only trouble is both the lotties next to mine have also got it, so i'll have to tell them ;) one is called Shaun,  a 64 year old Hells Angel  :o and is stuck in his ways. you want to see him ::) totally bald with a USA bandana on, leather waist coat, leather trousers and bike boots :o 8) , i will have to get a photo and put it on the thread, if he sees me, no doubt he will try and rip my head off ::), but what the hell it will give you a laugh ;D .

Hi Tenuse, a lot of alcohol, sounds good to me ;D ,  beats all the hard graft needed for planting ;) , will have to get the dogs running a bit harder to cool the freezer :-/ or maybe get a team of huskies ;D .

[legless]

just seen marestail tea in a health food shop - perhaps you could harvest it as a sideline?

[jethro]

Hi legless, there isn't a tea urn big enough :o , tea hmmmmmmmmm if i did that i would bankrupt India and China as there is so much on the lottie  >:(  maybe a good little  ??? earner though.