Palms, Nutsedge and Image

[_Keith]

I suffer from Nutsedge, locally known as Cocograss, or nutgrass. This is like the "Terminator" of weeds. It will poke straight through black plastic mulch in the heat of summer. And I have about an acre of it. It is my lawn in the center section of my property. I tried Image a few years ago. While it did help with the Nutsedge, it was devastating as well on some of my plantings. I was not into palms at the time. I would love to hear from someone who has used it around palms without damaging the palms.

Another chemical for Nutsedge control is Manage. Same question as above with Manage.

I would love to control this stuff, but not at the expense of my prized palms and other plantings.

[Wai`anae Steve]

Many years ago I had a small lawn w/nutgrass. Lucky it was only say 35' square. Each side was bordered by deep cement walk or wall.

So.....I sat down one day w/a screwdriver and began to dig over the whole lawn. Don't know how long it took but many months later I was free of nutgrass.

Now w/an acre of it????????????????????????????? don't know what to say. 'Cept sorry pal;

[cencalpalmguy]

There's some stuff called "sedgehammer" that is made just for this stuff. I've been using roundup on the nutgrass in the flower beds, so I haven't had to use a selective herbacide yet, but it supposedly knocks out the nutgrass in your lawn without tamaging your turf. Chad

[Dypsisdean]

I've used Sedgehammer, and it is as close to magic as there is in the real world. I can't tell you how it works in every scenario, but I use it in my lawn. We have several problem "nut grasses" in Hawaii, and it works on the 3 or 4 I have problems with. That stuff is tuff. And although it will take 2-3-4 weeks to kill, it kills thoroughly and doesn't touch the turf (Seashore Paspalum). It takes so long, you think it will not work, but when you are about ready to give up and spray again - it's gone. Only drawback is it's expensive, but it takes just a tiny bit per gallon. However, it is still the most expensive herbicide I have purchased - but amazing stuff.

I think Manage may be similar, but don't quote me on that.

[Dave-Vero]

I'm reluctant to use herbicides on the grassed areas. Yes, it's a problem, but so is bermuda grass.

[DoomsDave]

Roundup (glyphosate) will kill nutgrass, to its nuts, but you have to keep at it.

Keep at it. Drive the infedels from the temple . . .

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

Sedgehammer is the best herbicide for Sedges, including the worst one, Purple Netsedge (though it might take 2 applications). My suggestion is to follow the label directions to the T. Don't use the "if 1oz works well, 2oz will work twice as well" rule. Sedgehammer is highly soluble (it needs to be to move into the weed tissue where it kills them) but that makes it a tad risky because ornamental plants may also absorb the active ingredient whre it might cause injury. If the plants in your collection are not listed as tolerant, there is some chance an application might cause some damage, even if used precisely as described. So, proceed cautiously. Also, if you irrigate the turf areas, decrease the irrigation volumes and that should help suppress the sedges. Where I live, I don't irrigate and the sedges are awful so this might not apply to you.

[DoomsDave]

If you crave a natural method, without using chemicals, you can lay carboard over the nutsedge and keep it there for about a month. It can't take being smothered for a long while.

[Wai`anae Steve]

I'm reluctant to use herbicides on the grassed areas. Yes, it's a problem, but so is bermuda grass.

Use Garlon, kill the grass and the nutgrass and then plant more palms

[_Keith]

I have no concerns with Sod or Grass. I want to use Image in areas that will be mulched over in ornamental beds concerning palms. I am most concerned with the impact of Image on Palms.

[DoomsDave]

I have used Image with good results on sedge, but it always comes back if you don't continue to treat. I have also noticed that those little "nuts" seem to have the energy of the Energizer Bunny. Any area I disturb will soon have sedge popping up all over the place. I pull them up and they keep coming back.

A nurseryman told me that Image is a growth inhibitor that the sedge is susceptible to. The grass is susceptible to it as well but to a lesser extent. I believe that is why the label says to only apply when the grass is actively growing or totally dormant. The idea is to starve off the sedge faster than the grass.

I certainly would not use Roundup unless you plan on re-sodding after. It will kill your grass. That is an option that may be easier on a small section. I did that on a 10'X10' section that had Bermudagrass. I don't know of a selective herbicide that works on Bermudagrass that doesn't also kill the Floratam that I want to keep.

I have not had a problem with collateral damage using Image but I have heard of some palms being sensitive to selective herbicides.

To greatly paraphrase Sir Walter Raleigh (as he fingered the axe that would eventually behead him), "Yes, this scorched earth, it is very strong medicine, but it is a physician for all diseases and miseries."

If you've got heavy nutgrass, the only thing I've found to work is Shoah on all the plantlife, which is a real pain in the pineapple.

The least of Palmarati's worries is what happens to his "lawn" if he's got an acre of solid nutgrass. Getting rid of that much is not going to be easy. Those little nuts keep coming up, and you have to keep treating and retreating. It might not be a bad idea to use both roundup and pre-emergent. That sedge is THAT bad.

Good luck, Palmarati . . . .

Keep us apprized. I, for one, want to know what you do.

[Dypsisdean]

Keith,

The reason I mentioned that Sedgehammer completely killed my nutgrass, yet left the lawn untouched, was to illustrate how specific it appeared to be. In addition, I can't imagine anything that would leave grass untouched, but affect palms. And my nutgrass was in the lawn, so the grass was completely covered with Sedgehammer, yet didn't suffer at all. I would never use anything that killed grass around palms.

[DoomsDave]

Keith,

The reason I mentioned that Sedgehammer completely killed my nutgrass, yet left the lawn untouched, was to illustrate how specific it appeared to be. In addition, I can't imagine anything that would leave grass untouched, but affect palms. And my nutgrass was in the lawn, so the grass was completely covered with Sedgehammer, yet didn't suffer at all. I would never use anything that killed grass around palms.

Looks like I'll need to get some Sledgehammer, after I get a new computer . . . .

[Dypsisdean]

Just so I'm clear. I've never gotten this stuff on palms, so I can't tell you it's safe. All I'm saying is that if it didn't do any damage to my lawn after a good wetting, there may be a good chance it would play nice with palms as well, especially for just an incidental overspray. But be prepared for sticker shock. It's not really something you would use in large areas. It's more for the surgical strike to kill in a lawn. I was just amazed that if would kill this very tough nutgrass, and leave the delicate turf untouched.

[Kathryn]

Keith,

I used Image on my lawn several times in the past and didn't see any ill effects on my palms or other bedding plants. I always applied it on a windless day and was careful not to spray anything else.

Kathryn

[Mats]

I used Image on my lawn several times in the past and didn't see any ill effects on my palms or other bedding plants. I always applied it on a windless day and was careful not to spray anything else.

Use a wick applicator if you're concerned about over spray. For an acre of nutgrass, an ATV mounted unit might be the ticket.

[DoomsDave]

Just so I'm clear. I've never gotten this stuff on palms, so I can't tell you it's safe. All I'm saying is that if it didn't do any damage to my lawn after a good wetting, there may be a good chance it would play nice with palms as well, especially for just an incidental overspray. But be prepared for sticker shock. It's not really something you would use in large areas. It's more for the surgical strike to kill in a lawn. I was just amazed that if would kill this very tough nutgrass, and leave the delicate turf untouched.

What is your delicate turf?

And what was the sticker shock . . . . (I'm sitting down. I remember the cost of Roundup in 1975!!!! )

[Dypsisdean]

Just so I'm clear. I've never gotten this stuff on palms, so I can't tell you it's safe. All I'm saying is that if it didn't do any damage to my lawn after a good wetting, there may be a good chance it would play nice with palms as well, especially for just an incidental overspray. But be prepared for sticker shock. It's not really something you would use in large areas. It's more for the surgical strike to kill in a lawn. I was just amazed that if would kill this very tough nutgrass, and leave the delicate turf untouched.

What is your delicate turf?

And what was the sticker shock . . . . (I'm sitting down. I remember the cost of Roundup in 1975!!!! )

Dave,

The turf is a Seashore Paspalum. And I can't give you a price. It came in this tiny little bottle, and I just remember it as costing more than anything like that I have bought before - even after the guy explained that it was only something like a quarter teaspoon per gal. (it's a powder) But I had been buying it as pre-measured dissolving packet for a gal. of spray that was truly expensive.

[Mats]

And what was the sticker shock . . . .

Here's the price. Looks like he'll need the 1.3 oz. bottle for an acre.