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Re: another thistle question

Hi,

I used small propane torches to scorch thistle several years ago as part of a weed control methods comparison. My experience with small propane torches, such as you might buy from your local hardware store, is that they are difficult to use in the field unless the air is almost still. We burned plants near the ground and had great difficulty in keeping torches lit, even in low wind situations. At flower height, it would be even more difficult. If the burner was shielded in some way to reduce wind, it would probably be much more successful---or work only on super calm days.

There are commercial torches available which have shields on the burners and large tanks---maybe not very portable.

Another idea to try is spraying the flower heads with something phytotoxic. How about vinegar?

Tim Miklasiewicz
Massillon, Ohio


At 11:18 AM 15-07-2003 -0500, you wrote:
Hello.

Has anyone used a propane torch to successfully cook plumeless thistle buds, flowers, and seed heads to substantially reduce short-term seed maturation? If so, please tell me what brand and model torch you used and a little about your experience. I just want to buy time for proper removal of a fairly solid 65' x 15' patch of plants. I know this treatment will not kill them.

Thank you.

J. A. Raasch
Mount Horeb, WI

P.S. Perhaps someone has a hungry goat?

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tim Miklasiewicz, Ph.D.          e-mail:  miklasiewicz.1@osu.edu
Entomology/Applied Ecology
Massillon, OH  44647-5338
U.S.A.
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