Battle of the pear cactus...

[Soundguy]

I agree with the mechaincal removal.

if you mow it, disc it, or till it.. you will just propogate it.

i have 13ac.. it had sporadic cactus on it when we got it.

On the weekends the wife and I walked the property .. each with a 35g trash can, gloves, and a small spade and 3-tine garden rake... pulled out each piece individually and then put inthe burn pit.

no cactus now.

all the big fields with cactus i see that mow them.. just have more cactus the next year.

soundguy

 

[The Dougster]

TexasJohn, I certainly appreciate your advice, and even though I have probably already read the articles you suggest, I will go back and red them again.... (BTW, I'm fairly close to you.... I spend my week at home in Liberty Hill... my money and my weekends are spent in Lampasas)
I suspect that I will end up trying DrRick's suggestion... This property has been neglected for many, many years and the P.Pear had taken over... It is certainly time consuming but I feel I am making good progress by scraping and burning... Thank God it's finally begun to rain in Central Texas which will make getting the pear out by the roots that much easier. Coastal huh? Hmmm <evilgrin>

The Dougster, from the Great Republic of Texas

 

[Soundguy]

Lime amendment is another 'long-term' remedy for cactus... they don't like the soil once you amend the ph.

lampassas you say?

I have a friend who lives there.. i went over last easter and bought a ford 951 narrow front tractor from him.

did a 19.5hr red eye trip up, and then short turnaround and back !

soundguy

 

[The Dougster]

Lime amendment huh? Lime is cheap enough, I'll give it a try...

Yes Sir, Lampasas.... actually about half-way between Lampasas and Lometa..... That was quite a trip. I hope you enjoyed it... It finally began to rain here in Cen. Texas... I just had a phone call from a neighbor reporting 2.7-inches... Folks are probably dancing in the streets today..

 

[kossetx]

Tordon 22 will work and I usually poke it with something first. I use a manure fork for holes.

I'm not someone who likes to use a lot of chemicals but spot spraying doesn't bother me.
If you use mechanical means be careful of the little hairy spines at the base of the big spines. Those little hairy spines get in everything and are much worse than the big ones.

Soundguy, I bet you had to throw those gloves away.

 

[Soundguy]

.

Soundguy, I bet you had to throw those gloves away.

You bet i did. I also used an inner set of gloves.. those kind witht he rubber on them.. tight form fitting.. over those I used regular 2$ a pair leather 'work' gloves.

they were covered with those lil hairy prongs.. and yeah.. i tosse dthem into the burn pit with the last load of cacti.. those lil ones would work into the leather!

soundguy

 

[JGY]

... Never competely[sic] win the war do we?
rick

DrRick,

This all sounds like the war of the ... kudzu vine.

For your viewing pleasure:

Kudzu, the vine that ate the South Sherry痴 Place

J

 

[RWolf]

It's amazing how close some of us are. My 25ac are just outside Lampasas on CR2200.

 

[KrumpsBrother]

I use Grazon P+D sprayed onto cactus & yucca. Total kill in one season. East Lampasas County checking in, off FM 2527.

KB

 

[merlintractor]

Tordon 22 will work and I usually poke it with something first. I use a manure fork for holes.

I'm not someone who likes to use a lot of chemicals but spot spraying doesn't bother me.
If you use mechanical means be careful of the little hairy spines at the base of the big spines. Those little hairy spines get in everything and are much worse than the big ones.

Soundguy, I bet you had to throw those gloves away.

Thanks, guys....this Tordon 22, is this chemical something that requires a license to buy?