Weed control and fungal leaf spot control
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Weed control and fungal leaf spot control
  • From: P* A* <p*@mindspring.com>
  • Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:48:08 -0400 (EDT)
I have a report for three broadleaf herbicides and one fungicide I have used recently on my TB's (and Daylilies).

The first is a preemergent called Portrait/Gallery (isoxyben).  I applied it last Fall and this Spring I am very pleased with how clear the ground is.  I was mainly trying to control the clover.  It is supposed to work on chickweed as well but it is too early to tell for that one since it comes up when a little warmer.  It will be interesting if it also controls purslane and thistle as well.
I am also going to make another application soon to control the later germinants since it is likely the chemical has disappeared.  You can purchase it at Walmart for about $15.  For those who are adverse to Walmart you can get it at this link below.  However, it is a little more expensive and you would have to pay for shipping as well.  Either way it is worth it!  Walmart only seems to have it in the Spring.  When I lived in NC I believe I saw it in the Fall as well, likely because their weeds and climate are different.  So if you want to stock up on it for Fall do it now if purchasing from Walmart.  By the way the Iris look great too, no ill effects and even some stalks from the carryover Fall rebloomers.

The second herbicide is Spectracide Weedstop for Lawns.  They have a concentrate and a premixed as well.  I know you can get it at either Home Depot or Lowes. Here's a link to read up some and has some other places you can get it.  I'll note that it does have 2,4-D which many of us know is very bad for Iris.  I tried it though as a spot spray around my established clumps and shielded the plant with a piece of cardboard.  There were a couple of leaves that got some splatter and I saw no ill effects as I would normally see from 2-4D.  Although I would not attempt using it aroung newly transplanted rhizomes or precious small seedlings.

The third herbicide is Ornamec (fluazifop) which is an annual grass killer.  I got it off of eBay.  It requires an oil-based surfactant.  You can also purchase already containing a surfactant.  I tried it with salad oil plus some dish soap to cut the oil some.  It took a while and I needed a second application a couple of weeks later.  Helpful since it would not be wise to apply oil to your Iris foliage. But the weeds were hurting and were not chocking out my Iris.  It also seems to work better as the weather warms up and there is less rain which stresses the weeds.  I completley drenched one Iris plant I planned to discard to see if there was any effect.  It seemed fine and bloomed.  

http://cooperseeds.com/lawnchem.php3?cat=preemergent&cartid=

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