Page 1 of 1
roundup and bulbs
Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:11 am
by kranser
Not directly related to kitchen gardens I know - but does anyone know if it's safe to spray weeds with Roundup if bulbs are planted in that area. Will the Roundup affect the bulbs?
Kranser.
Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:41 pm
by Chantal
Hi Kranser
As far as I know, Roundup must be sprayed onto green leaves, is then absorbed into the plant, travels through the plant to the roots and kills it (systemic killer). It doesn't affect the soil and if bulbs are underground they should be OK. Unless anyone knows different.
I've sprayed weeds over bulbs before now with no adverse effect that I've noticed.
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:58 pm
by Geoff
The trouble is if you are thinking of now many bulbs will have green bits at or near the surface, I spotted quite a few today.
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:54 pm
by Johnboy
Hi Kranser,
There is a window of opportunity to spray the area with Roundup but you have missed it for this year.
The period is generally the last week in August and the first in September. Before spraying you must get on your hands and knees to thoroughly inspect the vegetation before you even mix up the spray. In that window the Bluebells should be showing no green foliage. With even a hint of green do not spray.
JB.
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:53 am
by kranser
Johnboy wrote:Hi Kranser,
There is a window of opportunity to spray the area with Roundup but you have missed it for this year.
The period is generally the last week in August and the first in September. Before spraying you must get on your hands and knees to thoroughly inspect the vegetation before you even mix up the spray. In that window the Bluebells should be showing no green foliage. With even a hint of green do not spray.
JB.
Thanks JB!
I think I'll need to get on my hands and knees and pull up any weeds by hand! I'm expecting those wretched stinging nettles to make an appearance soon!
Kranser.
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:25 am
by Johnboy
Hi Kranser,
If you need to get nettles out which are inundating your bluebells it is possible at this time of year to dig the nettles out and then replant the bluebells without any harm to the bulbs or the flowering next year. Remember that the normal stinging nettles have yellow roots and are quite easily recognized.
Here we also have the annual stinging nettle and these have white roots. Annual nettles are not that common to many places but I mention them just in case .
JB.