roses and glyphosate, brambles and bindweed

[alix]

Hello all

Thanks again for your help on the rose question in the 'help' post Paul, I'll definitely follow your advice to the letter - I've just got another question for you all. This 'rose rosette' disease that I've been panicking about - I can't find any evidence of it being present in this country (it seems to be from the US). But I did hear that if glyphosate comes into contact with roses it can cause discolouration and deformities, which may look similar to the 'witches broom' of narrow leaves on clusters of shoots. Does anyone know about this?

When we moved in, the garden was full of bindweed and brambles. My husband took great exception to them and has used glyphosate to keep them under control (they keep coming back from next door). I don't really like using this, as I would like to avoid using strong chemicals. Does anyone know of another way to keep bindweed and brambles under control?

Thanks again
alix

[Paul Narramore]

Glyphosate Alix is a systemic weedkiller which works pretty well with bindweed but causes real problems with any other living plant. Often it is 'painted' onto the bindweed by mixing the weedkiller with Fairy Liquid - it makes it stick better - then painted onto the leaves with a brush, then left to do it's business. If your husband has been spraying the stuff around........... The stuff works it's way down the plant into the roots and eventually kills it (allegedly). Please keep WELL AWAY from roses and any other favourite plants.

[alix]

Again - thank you Paul. I think the glyphosate was painted on the leaves, but it's possible that it might have 'escaped'.

Are there other reliable ways of getting rid of brambles and bindweed? I've heard that if you are careful to dig down around the bindweed before removing it, it is less likely to form new roots where it has broken off. Our garden was quite overgrown when we moved in so w've found that all the 'undesirables' are hard to get rid off, even now.

How were the TT races, by the way? I'm distinctly jealous; my other half has been to the Isle of Man a few times, but I've only been riding a couple of years and have yet to visit the fabled roads.

[Paul Narramore]

Brambles can be dug out. Bindweed is just about impossible to eradicate. I have lots of the stuff and just pull it out when I see it, so it doesn't get to be too much of a problem. In theory every single scrap must be dug out and removed or else it starts all over again. I've tried various methods such as glyphosate, digging, laying old carpets or black polythene over a bed for six months, and it came back every time. Since it's also in the lawns, and mowing doesn't kill it, it will always re-appear.

The TT races were excellent but I went for the unique atmosphere. It's not like watching conventional racing as the bikes roar past and spectators need to rely on either a tannoy or a personal radio to hear the commentary to follow the race. I must return though at a time when the racing is not on as it's a lovely island. It felt like England in the 1950s. Nice and quiet, and quaint.

[alix]

Thanks. It's reassuring to know that we're not really doing anything wrong as far as the bindweed is concerned. Ithought maybe we were taking the wrong approach by pulling it out, because it came back so many times.

I'm glad you enjoyed the TT races. It's nice to hear that the Isle of Man is still as my husband describes it. He hasn't been for at least 8 years and he always likens it to a quieter age - I was worried that by the time we get round to going together (in the next couple of years hopefully) it may have changed beyond all recognition.