spray for spot spraying thisles

GERMAN ROCKS

have a few big thistles after coming up again. Dug them up the past few years but them came back again. Going to go and spot spray them this year. Whats the best spray for the job to kill them outright? If I can avoid roundup that would be great as all that may do is burn a patch of the grass leaving it open for other weeds to grow instead.

rangler1

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

have a few big thistles after coming up again. Dug them up the past few years but them came back again. Going to go and spot spray them this year. Whats the best spray for the job to kill them outright? If I can avoid roundup that would be great as all that may do is burn a patch of the grass leaving it open for other weeds to grow instead.

Any of the cheap and cheerful sprays with MCPA in them will kill thistles, digging them only leaves roots behind to grow again,
Some places recommend Grazon but I don't find it great on thistles and it's expensive as well.....It works really well on nettles and other weeds/briars though.

queueeye

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

have a few big thistles after coming up again. Dug them up the past few years but them came back again. Going to go and spot spray them this year. Whats the best spray for the job to kill them outright? If I can avoid roundup that would be great as all that may do is burn a patch of the grass leaving it open for other weeds to grow instead.

Anything with fluroxypyr in it will do. Sold as hurler, reaper etc. It's in dockstar pro too but you'll get it much cheaper as a generic like the two mentioned.

pedigree 6

I know you're asking about spraying but if you top the thistles when it's raining (the heavier the better) the rainwater goes into the hollow of the stem and rots out the thistle.
The same thing is top the thistles and spread dirty water with the slurry tanker immediately after before it seals up and it rots out the thistle.

charolais0153

pedigree 6 wrote: »

I know you're asking about spraying but if you top the thistles when it's raining (the heavier the better) the rainwater goes into the hollow of the stem and rots out the thistle.
The same thing is top the thistles and spread dirty water with the slurry tanker immediately after before it seals up and it rots out the thistle.

So its time to sharpen the scyth for the ones beside the walls

Wildsurfer

Thistlex... I presume it does what it says on the tin

pedigree 6

charolais0153 wrote: »

So its time to sharpen the scyth for the ones beside the walls

And get out the watering can.:pac:

ganmo

Wildsurfer wrote: »

Thistlex... I presume it does what it says on the tin

Not meant to be used as spot spray

Capercaillie

I sprayed with MCPA on thistles on Saturday. When can I expect to see them die?

rangler1

Capercaillie wrote: »

I sprayed with MCPA on thistles on Saturday. When can I expect to see them die?

If it was good growing weather you'd see results in 24 hrs......i wouldn't be usually spraying in April

Capercaillie

rangler1 wrote: »

If it was good growing weather you'd see results in 24 hrs......i wouldn't be usually spraying in April

Thanks Rangler, When would the best time to spray be? Growth on my farm would be around 1 month later than average farm. Thistles only still small

rangler1

Capercaillie wrote: »

Thanks Rangler, When would the best time to spray be? Growth on my farm would be around 1 month later than average farm. Thistles only still small

Usually May here, all the thistles wouldn't be up yet and weedkiller only kills those that are above the ground.

Also it's better to spray them before they go to seed

Capercaillie

rangler1 wrote: »

Usually May here, all the thistles wouldn't be up yet and weedkiller only kills those that are above the ground

Great stuff, i'm only doing a small area. I'll redo it again at end of month.

99nsr125

ganmo wrote: »

Not meant to be used as spot spray

That's all I ever use as a spot spray

Done a good job, hardly any spot spraying now, wind blown seeds/seedings only thing that needs controlling

99nsr125

ganmo wrote: »

Not meant to be used as spot spray

That's all I ever use as a spot spray

Done a good job, hardly any spot spraying now, wind blown seeds/seedings only thing that needs controlling

ganmo

99nsr125 wrote: »

That's all I ever use as a spot spray

Done a good job, hardly any spot spraying now, wind blown seeds/seedings only thing that needs controlling

Just in the era of inspections it's always nice to know the right answer to give

99nsr125

ganmo wrote: »

Just in the era of inspections it's always nice to know the right answer to give

You are of course right
Good call on the inspection part