Help! Any thoughts???

[jfowler]

I've got a front-yard bog garden that I've had for years. I've posted images of it in this thread the past couple of years. The plants do quite well if I trim them down each spring, but this year, I thought I'd burn the plot. Most of the carnivorous plants in the garden are those native to the southeastern US, and do well in longleaf pine savannahs when they are burned every other year.

After calling the state DHEC and getting their permission and getting the County's permission, I called the city to check on local ordinances, etc. Well, there is a strict no-burn ordinance in the city with no variances or waivers -- PERIOD! Bummer! Looks like I'll have to trim again this year.

But there is a problem that I thought might be solved by burning. I have this moss (Polytrichum species) that was introduced when I planted a Spiranthes orchid in the garden a few years ago. I though it was pretty and would stay in its place. But, oh no! It really liked the bog garden conditions, and it is beginning to take over the garden. I am now considering it to be an invasive. It is thick, and I'm afraid it will eventually crowd out plants like my VFTs and such. Each year, it spreads and now it covers about half the garden. It appears to grow by underground runners.

Since I can't burn, my only hope is to treat it by brushing on (definitely not spraying) something like Roundup, being very careful not to get any of the herbicide on the carnivorous plants I want to keep. This will be a slow and laborious process, but I do not see an alternative at this point. I tried manual extraction in certain areas last year, but the roots left behind continued to grow and send up new plants.

I want to do something about it this weekend, since the warm weather is approaching, which will bring buds and new pitchers.

One question I have about Roundup is whether or not there will be any type of transfer of the product underground via the moss roots that are touching the roots of my carnivorous plants (once it is absorbed by the moss)?


Any thoughts???

Thanks in advance,

Jim Fowler, Greenville, SC

[peterhewitt]

I have heard countless horror stories of people applying these chemicals and having some type of "wind drift" or other, transfer
some spray to desired plants. I would suggest you be very careful, and perhaps even remove the plants you wish to keep, apply the Roundup and then re-plant.

[jfowler]

Thanks, Peter. I appreciate your concern. That is why I'm considering using a brush or sponge to apply the product. I definitely do NOT want to spray. Last year, I wrote about the damage done to my plants when the city maintenance crew sprayed for weeds in the sidewalk last spring. Pitcher plants, in particular, seem to be very sensitive to the spray when it drifts to the bog garden.

[Aidan]

Polytrichum mosses are (as you have discovered!) very aggressive and whatever you try, I don't know that you will ever totally get rid of it. I guess the spores are everywhere and in my case it simply appears in pots. Disposed of by plucking it out before it gets a foothold, or a complete repot when necessary. Not so easy in a large bog... Sorry.

[jfowler]

Thanks for the encouragement, Aidan. I guess I will just have to be more aggressive than the moss...

[debradenzer]

I have used Round-Up, professionally, for years. I have had great success in eliminating Red Canary Grass from a vinca bed using a paintbrush and eyedropper. Great care needs to be taken not to touch the plants you wish to save with any Round-Up. I typically use a 5% solution for perennial weeds as it is the recommended dose on concentrate labels. Good Luck!

[meadowview]

Hi Jim:

I would absolutely not use foliar paint brush application of herbicide in your bog garden to eliminate Polytrichum moss. Sarracenia are extremely sensitive to herbicide, a manifestation of their poor competitive ability and physiology. There is a high likelihood of translocation to roots and thus into soil and absorption by your Sarracenia. You may not kill your pitchers but I will bet you will notice some disfiguration or diminution in quality.

Sincerely,

Phil Sheridan
Meadowview

[jfowler]

Thanks, Phil. You answered my main question.

[kulamauiman]

have an early Bar-B-Q. And spill some hot coals while cooking

MTF