Milkweed Control

[JohnnyMX]

I didn't have a ton of milkweed when I moved in a few years ago and now I seem to have tons. Seems like if you have one this year you'll have thousands the next. I don't care in most of the property, but I do have a wildflower patch about 100' by 25'. I tried pulling them out and it didn't seem to touch it, if not made it worse. I have also tried a "weed wiper" hand held to get some roundup on them before they seed. That is also a pain in the ass and I can't remember which ones got it and which didn't. Is there anything that is super selective to milkweed? They are the only thing that grows 2x better when there is no rain.

 

[lman]

I try to mow my pastures before they seed out. 24d would take care of them also.

 

[oldnslo]

Milkweed has very deep tap root so if digging out you have to go deep. In other wild flowers I suspect the wicking method is best approach for chemicals. Would also suggest a surfactant to assist in the absorption of the chemical. I use dawn dishwashing detergent for thistles. It helps cut the wax and oil on the thistle leaves.

 

[fishheadbob]

Milkweed is tough, it propogates in several ways. Yes, it has a deep tap root; it also spreads through rhizomes (think underground runners), and through it's flowers which blow everywhere. Roundup or 2-4-d work fair because they're systemic herbicides; they gets into the plant and spread through the whole system of roots and runners. Early mowing helps too, but not in conjunction with early mowing. If you can't see where you wicked herbicide on to which plants, places like tractor supply sell spray marker or indicator which is a short lasting die. You can tell where it has been. If you don't want to spring the $30 or $40 for spray indicator try to find some old school laundry blueing like grandma used in her wringer washer.
It's really hard to totally eliminate milkweed. Tell yourself you're feeding butterflies.

 

[2manyrocks]

But it is toxic to cows, horses and sheep. Toxic Weed: Milkweed.

That is reason to kill it.

 

[ustmd]

The key thing about spraying herbicides like 2-4-d is you need to pick you spot in time. Like others have said, a surfactant will help, but you need to spray when the plant is transpiring--e.g. breathing. If it is too hot or the plant is is draught stressed, the openings on the plant leaves will be closed and the plant will not absorb the herbicide. Also, when you spray in the plant's life cycle during the season is important. The goal is to get as much of the herbicide into the plants root system. You want to spray when the ground temps are up, the plant has leafed out but before it has started to set seed or after the seed has dropped. If you spray as the plant is leafing out or as it is setting seed, the plant is sending nutrients from the roots to the top of the plant and systematic herbicides will not be as effective. However, if you spray as the plant is recharging its roots (i.e. after leaf out and before setting seed or after seed drop) the plant is "recharging" the root system and will be primarily sending nutrients (and any herbicides) from the leaves to the roots--which is what you want.

 

[Jrasband]

cow's love milkweed, my cows go straight to it when I open them up to a new paddock. As long as it is not taking over the pasture and is around 10% of total forage they will not overeat it IF it is actually poisonous.

 

[Jrasband]

Herbicide way more poisonous!

 

[5030]

I try to mow my pastures before they seed out. 24d would take care of them also.

Better yet, 24D-B which won't kill the alfalfa.

 

[oosik]

I some times get an occasional milk weed. As soon as it "heads up" the deer are right there and eat the head and stem. Right to the ground. Can't imagine that they like it. Milk weed sap is VERY bitter.