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+--- Thread: Cane grass scourge (/showthread.php?tid=8123)
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Cane grass scourge - Guest - 12-03-2010
I'm sick of cane grass taking over my planting beds ... but don't know how to kill it. Burning it out is not an option where it's growing, too close to trees and power lines.
I want to get it whacked down by someone who has got enough finesse that they won't kill the good stuff I have planted. Anyone have someone to recommend? I know that Jay Fitz is amazing with stuff like this, but I cannot pay $30 and hour, more like $15.
I have a feeling that cane grass is less of an issue in Puna than in my yard. I have the deep deep soil, and the roots are so established. I gardened over lava in Hilo for a few years, and there was no weed I couldn't deal with, but this one has me stumped. You cut it and it only invigorates it ...
There are a couple local kids who do our driveway for my back neighbor, but I cannot get them to take the job of my yard. Basically they will come for the hour or two to get enough money to surf the rest of the day, and don't want to work longer and make more money. Plus they don't think about what they're doing. They just hack at stuff and it looks terrible afterwards.
I thought about posting this in the nonclassifieds, but I wanted the farmer/gardeners' advice. btw, if you can afford Fitz, he does fantastic work. [
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RE: Cane grass scourge - hotinhawaii - 12-05-2010
Don't know how desperate you are but Roundup works great on cane grass.
RE: Cane grass scourge - Rob Tucker - 12-05-2010
I use Roundup to kill it and then once it is dried out and dead I dig out the roots. It can be used very selectively.
RE: Cane grass scourge - Ryan. - 12-05-2010
I just spent the day cutting and digging up cane grass on my 5 acres in Kapoho. Last week I tried out a tip I received concerning spraying the stuff with a solution of 1:1 Bleach water (50% water, 50% bleach). To my dismay, the grass didn't even wilt. On a recent visit to Home Depot, I got some advice from one of their garden specialists. He told me that Roundup would only kill it back temporarily, that it would become immune to Roundup when it came back (unless you switched to the industrial strength Roundup for $120 a container). Basically, he said you've got to get it up by the roots. That makes sense (although it's a ton of work), but what do you do when your cleared area is surrounded by other fields with 12-13 ft. tall cane grass with oodles of mature seeds being released in the wind? Then you've got the stuff coming up again, even after having dug out all the roots. We also are looking for a long term solution and haven't found it yet. Would love to hear others suggestions (weedmat?).
RE: Cane grass scourge - Rob Tucker - 12-05-2010
The other thing that works well on cane grass is live stock. My horses and cows have been working it back in ways I never could.
RE: Cane grass scourge - Rob Tucker - 12-06-2010
It is very possible and practical to spray Roundup on only the cane grass. It actually is not a poison but is a growth accelerator and causes the grass cells to burst from over growth. It can be used selectively which is one of its attractions.
I suggest you buy a small pump bottle of the premix, not concentrate, and try it out. You will not see any result for a week. It will kill the cane grass down into the roots.
RE: Cane grass scourge - DoryGray - 12-06-2010
Kathy, you could try cutting it short & covering it w/ black plastic & letting it bake. Eventually, it actually sterilizes the soil of all weed seeds. Heavy duty black plastic rolls can be found at Home Depot. Just be sure to weigh it down w/ rocks on all sides so no light gets in. All natural!!! no poison needed.
RE: Cane grass scourge - Wao nahele wahine - 12-06-2010
quote:
Originally posted by KathyH
This cane grass laughs at a weed whacker, just jams it up. I had to get a hedge trimmer attachment -- but still no one wants the job.
Kathy,
We bought some carbide brush cutter blades for our weed whacker so we could take out the cane grass. We found the blades on Ebay...two carbide blades for $31.00, four carbide blades for $56.00. The delivery was quick...just a few days. The blades are very durable, and work like a charm.
Wahine
RE: Cane grass scourge - Ryan. - 12-06-2010
As for me, I think I'll take Rob's advice and try livestock. Are there any small livestock that will eat the less desirable plants (i.e. cane grass) like a goat, but behave a little more docile?
RE: Cane grass scourge - hotinhawaii - 12-08-2010
I have used roundup several times and it took out the cane grass for good. I have a lot next to mine that is full of it but the roundup keeps it at bay. It doesn't seem to resprout from the roots. I have also used the weedwhacker with a blade that I rented from Home Depot as not all weedwhackers can use the blade. I couldn't believe how easy it was. It was like cutting through butter, seriously. You can cut the grass down to about a foot then spray with Roundup and it will still work. My understanding is that livestock will only eat it when it's young before it covered in the harsh spiky stuff.