Re: creepers or what?
- Subject: Re: creepers or what?
- From: "Marge Talt" m*@hort.net
- Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2003 01:53:41 -0400
> From: Maria Olshin <marolsh@ptd.net>
> One of the most disgusting things about this plant is that it may
flower,
> and I assume, set seed when it is less than four inches tall.
----------
It can and does, indeed, do this; I have seen plants of 2" with
seedpods on them and the 2nd most disgusting thing about the plant is
that you have to make sure to get the crown when you pull it; it
breaks off very easily just above the crown, which then sprouts a new
plant that will flower and set seed.
The third disgusting thing about it is that the root gets a tenacious
hold on the earth and it's the devil and all to get out if the soil
is not really soft and moist.
The fourth disgusting thing about it is its penchant for placing
itself inside of other plants, particularly brambles.
The fifth disgusting thing about it is that it exists at all! I HATE
THIS PLANT! It is the winner of My Most Hated Weed Award, which is
saying a lot, considering my view of Poa annua, Duchesnea indica,
wild Allium and bittercress.
I have pulled mountains of it in the last few years. Not so many
mature plants inside the fence this year, but the ground is covered
with minute seedlings...oh, did I mention the sixth most disgusting
thing about it? It has a seedbank in the soil life of at least 5
years, so you must be diligent in eradicating each and every plant
for at least this long to see the end of it. This means devoting all
of April to garlic mustard, something that is not possible in
reality.
And, finally, the seventh most disgusting thing is that if you pull
it after it has started to set seed, those seed will continue to
ripen, so you have to make sure to dispose of it in the trash or pile
it so that the flowerheads are in the middle of a hot compost heap.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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