[tomato] Bindweed.

Paul Reynolds (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Mon, 28 Jun 1999 08:54:08 -0500 

Bindweed is another prohibitive weed.  Bindweed is to the plains producer what
kudzu is to the producers of the se US.

I don't know if Roundup would be what is needed for this nuisance plant.  I do
know that Roundup is "not" the preferred chemical for controlling this plant in
the high plains region.  I've seen 640+ acres of this weed growing in
agricultural fields in solid coverage of everything growing.  It's by no means
as vigorous as kudzu, but is much hardier.

Unfortunately, I've lost touch with control of this weed, since it's not that
big a problem here southern Texas.  I do recall though that the seeds are viable
for 15 years, is very deep rooted and does not reproduce from seed alone.  The
plant has rizomal like reproduction that is very hard to get a handle on.  Also,
tillage of areas infected is a primary source for spreading this plant.  The
infected area should be "doctored" prior to tillage and any equipment that is
used for tillage should be thoroughly cleaned prior to mobilization to another
sight.  Farmers have been treating infected areas for 20 years or more and avoid
the infected areas like it was a plague.  These areas are tilled after
treatment, but seldom planted to a crop.

As I stated before, I don't know if Roundup would be the chemical you are
looking for to control this weed.  I do know that Roundup don't work worth a
flip on poison ivy, poison oak and hollyhocks and isn't real affective on
mesquite.  Since this appears to be a garden infestation with most of you folks,
it might be worth while to pull up every new shoot that appears, when it
appears.  In this manner, you are guaranteed to eventually "starve" the plant to
a point that it will be too weak to recover.  In order for the plant to produce
sustaining enzymes, proteins and sugars, it has to have photosynthesis.  Without
leaves, there is no photosynthesis and once the stores of food substances in the
roots are depleted, the plant is gone.  This is a slow process of control, but
very effective if a person has the time to put this kind of effort into control.

However, if chemical use is desired, every plant has a "window"  when it is most
susceptible for being harmed.  This window generally, but not true for all
plants, occurs between new leaf growth and flower production.

Hope this helps and gives insight to some of ya.

Thanks

Paul Reynolds
Environmental Agronomist
Austin Texas