Where to buy herbicide & supplies?

[Travelover]

I live in the far suburbs near farm country. I'm helping out with a project at our local park to control phragmites, an invasive reed. I've been advised that I need to wipe it down with 2% solution of glyphosate with a surfactant and a tracking dye added. Total treatment area is about 1/2 acre.

I know this is probably a simple question, but is this something that I can just buy at a Tractor Supply or similar? Any particular brands that I should look for or concentrations that would be better to start with? I know how to calculate the 2% end product. Is the tracking dye usually mixed in or do I need to purchase that separately?

Thanks.

 

[smstonypoint]

I live in the far suburbs near farm country. I'm helping out with a project at our local park to control phragmytes, an invasive reed. I've been advised that I need to wipe it down with 2% solution of glyphosate with a surfactant and a tracking dye added. Total treatment area is about 1/2 acre.

I know this is probably a simple question, but is this something that I can just buy at a Tractor Supply or similar? Any particular brands that I should look for or concentrations that would be better to start with? I know how to calculate the 2% end product. Is the tracking dye usually mixed in or do I need to purchase that separately?

Thanks.

You can buy 41% glyphosate at TSC or most farm supply stores for $50ish or less for 2.5 gallons The original product, Roundup, is now off patent and generic brands are available at the lower price. The smaller containers you see at Wal-Mart,etc. usually have a lower % of the active ingredient. Some may argue that the generics don't perform as well as Roundup, but I haven't found that to be the case.

You can check the label to see whether the herbicide contains a surfactant. If not, you can buy the surfactant separately. I'm not aware of any glyphosate that contains a dye, but you can buy the dye separately.

Steve

PS If you buy the 41% solution, you will need 2.67 ounces per gallon of water.

 

[Scooby074]

You can get it pretty much at any decent garden centre.

I have to disagree about the generics. I say, stick with the actual brand of "Roundup". Theres been some horror stories of the generics gelling up in the sprayer during storage.
I cant speak to any differences in effectiveness though as all i use is the actual roundup or vision.

 

[smstonypoint]

You can get it pretty much at any decent garden centre.

I have to disagree about the generics. I say, stick with the actual brand of "Roundup". Theres been some horror stories of the generics gelling up in the sprayer during storage.
I cant speak to any differences in effectiveness though as all i use is the actual roundup or vision.

I don't have any direct knowledge of the gelling problem, but I don't store glyphosate once it's mixed. I can always find something to spray.

Steve

 

[MMagis]

Theres been some horror stories of the generics gelling up in the sprayer during storage.

Not sure where you're hearing these horror stories, but there's little to no difference between generic and name brand gly. Regardless, is should not be stored in the sprayer. That's could cause issues no matter what you use.

For only 1/2 acre, you aren't going to need much glyphosate. I'd check with the local hardware store or any place that sells garden supplies. You should be able to buy a quart bottle, and that's all you'll need. Mix according to the directions.

 

[Travelover]

Thanks for the replies so far. Regarding the marking dye - any recommendations? Can I just use some agua shade pond dye?

 

[MMagis]

I wouldn't bother with the dye. It wouldn't be worth the cost for that small of an area, and I'm not sure you'd even see it when using a wiper. I suspect you wouldn't.

 

[DanD78]

I hope you understand that any Glyphocate is not a selective herbicide. It will kill everything you spray. You did say wipe what you are trying to kill. That would make sense to use the tracer dye so you can see where you have been. They do make wick applicators so you can wipe what you want to die.

Dan

 

[smstonypoint]

I had never heard of phragmites, so with time on my hands (it's too hot to work outside) I Googled the term. It grows mainly in wetland environments.

According to the link below, only a special formulation of glyphosate, Rodeo, is approved for application in those environments.

http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Projects/LCMM/Summary%20of%20Common%20Questions%20Concerning%20Phragmites%20Control.pdf

Steve

 

[MMagis]

It grows mainly in wetland environments.

It also grows in plain old moist soil. I don't think wetlands are a prerequisite for it, but that may be why he planned to use a wiper.

 

[Travelover]

I had never heard of phragmites, so with time on my hands (it's too hot to work outside) I Googled the term. It grows mainly in wetland environments.

According to the link below, only a special formulation of glyphosate, Rodeo, is approved for application in those environments.

http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Projects/LCMM/Summary%20of%20Common%20Questions%20Concerning%20Phragmites%20Control.pdf

Steve

You are correct. We are eradicating the remainder of an infestation which is inland, but on moist ground. It is in a state park and we are working with the DNR and are even pulling a permit, though technically, I'm told, it is not necessary if not over water. We are not spraying, but rather doing the wetted glove technique.

 

[MMagis]

We are not spraying, but rather doing the wetted glove technique.

Have you thought about a wiper? Just the thought of hand wiping that much grass hurts my back.

 

[Travelover]

Have you thought about a wiper? Just the thought of hand wiping that much grass hurts my back.

We have several volunteers and I'd say there are a couple hundred plants. I'd like to avoid killing any of the other plants that are sprouting up. I'm assuming by a wiper you mean a wheeled one with wicks that hang down?

 

[beenthere]

There are hand-held wipers. Also can make them from some tubing for filling and some 1/2" nylon rope at the end. Wipe only the ones you want to kill.
WICK APPLICATORS - Agri Supply

 

[ragkar]

You don't need a tracking dye if you're doing a hand spraying. Just work in a systematic and methodical manner. I used a dye last time and it wasn't all that visible. the wet plants were more of an indicator.

 

[7snakes]

What is a surfactant and what is a brand and place this can be purchased?

 

[smstonypoint]

What is a surfactant and what is a brand and place this can be purchased?

A surfactant helps the herbicide stick to and penetrate the plant. Most any farm supply store will have surfactants in stock. There are several brands, any of which should do the trick.

Steve

 

[beenthere]

What is a surfactant and what is a brand and place this can be purchased?

You can use most any dish-washing detergent such as Joy to do much the same thing. Some say they are non-sudsing which helps in a tank, but suds not a problem in a hand sprayer. It just keeps the droplets from forming on the leaves as it breaks the surface tension on those drops.

And some food coloring would work for dye.

 

[oliver28472]

I just bought a 2.5 jug of generic glyphosate at Tractor Supply for $40.00. It is the same 41% concentrated version as Roundup and includes the surfactant. I've been told that if you are using a wick that you should mix 2/3 water to 1/3 gly. It tends to run out and drip if you use the same mix as a sprayer.

 

[Scooby074]

Not sure where you're hearing these horror stories, but there's little to no difference between generic and name brand gly. Regardless, is should not be stored in the sprayer. That's could cause issues no matter what you use.

For only 1/2 acre, you aren't going to need much glyphosate. I'd check with the local hardware store or any place that sells garden supplies. You should be able to buy a quart bottle, and that's all you'll need. Mix according to the directions.

Heard it here :http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/174675-round-up-glyphosate.html

I do agree with not storing it in the sprayer, however sometimes you just have to, and the stuff's too expensive to waste