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RE: another thistle question

I have used a Weed Torch like the one found at Lee Valley
(http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=2&page=10419&ca
tegory=2,2300,44822) that I actually got from Farm and Fleet (a local
farm supply store) and have not had a problem with it under windy
conditions other than turning the burner up a bit.  I initially bought
it as a poor man's drip torch but it is not very effect at doing this
because it does not leave any fuel behind to keep the fire going as is
the case with a drip torch.  But it is effective in creating spot fires
in patchy fuel areas and wetlands where you don't want to leave the
diesel fuel mix polluting the water surface.  

I have used this with winds speeds of about 25 mph with no real
problems.  I primarily use it for garlic mustard control now so that
usually doesn't get windy, but I also have used it for thistle and
multi-floral rose control in old open pasture with only moderate
success.  I think it would work if you figured out the right technique
which I have yet to do.

I use the Coleman camp stove tanks which will last for hours of constant
use (I haven't been able to determine just how long they last but I
think it is in the 2-4 hour range) and are cheaper than the benzomatic
tanks usually pictured with the weed torches.

It definitely does not work on the grasses though.

Patrick Daniels
Juda, WI

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Miklasiewicz [m*@osu.edu] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 9:19 AM
To: prairie@hort.net
Subject: 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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