We're no longer allowing mom to go out into our small back garden because she isn't stable enough and has already fallen too many times.
Therefore it's now our job to keep the weeds in check. Well... we knew these little weeds kept growing out of the gravel near the back wall. We'd assumed they'd strayed over from weeds the neighbors had before they did their backyard renovations.
But no matter how many times we pulled them out, it kept growing back so Art got desperate and dug down deeper. What a shock to find these thick roots.
When I looked it up on Google, it suggested Siam Weed which is supposed to be one of the world's worst weeds. In Hawaii it's also known as Devil Weed. But no... I don't think it's that either. The Siam Weed leaves are supposed to have three prominent "pitchfork" shaped veins. This doesn't.
Art is saying we should allow one of those shoots to grow taller so we can see what it will look like when a bit more matured.
So how to get rid of this invasive creature. Hmmm.. And how far have those underground roots traveled and lurking to rear it's persistent leaves through the gravel?
Weeds are persistent and grow strongly, while the flowers you may want to grow have to be nurtured and cossetted. So irritating!
ReplyDeleteThat is a tricky one. What a pain.
ReplyDeleteFor stuff like that with deep roots and there is no chance of the roots being interconnected with something nearby, my product of choice is Tordon RTU. But it is nasty stuff so I always wear appropriate gloves and clothing and I use it per the directions exactly. It is by far, the most effective way short of digging out every bit of the root by hand which may be impossible in cases.
ReplyDeleteWeeds shall inherit the earth.
ReplyDeleteBy the thickness of the roots my guess would be some type of tree or bush. If you keep pulling the green part up the plant will have no opportunity for photosynthesis and the roots will eventually die.
ReplyDeleteGood we get winter break from weeds here in Toronto
ReplyDeleteOooooh. What a spooky title! "What lurks beneath.." waiting. Watching. Biding its time...
ReplyDelete*shiver*
It might be the pepper tree. We had one growing between yards and it became a huge tree/bush that we had to cut down. Very hard bark with strong roots. After we cut it down shoots kept popping out and growing vigorously. Someone told me to put used motor oil on it and cover with a plastic bag. I used my old vegetable oil. Seemed to work but now vigorous shoots are appearing out of the ground wherever the roots spread. Tough one to kill but I will not give up!
ReplyDeletebtw, I just learned a neat trick from a young person. Take a picture of the plant, then go to photos. On the bottom of the photo click on the "i" button and it will ask if you want to "look up plant". It will help you identify the plant. Pretty cool! I think I will post about it!
I was doing it on Google but it really didn't tell me what it is. I didn't try it on iPhotos, but tried it now and it still wasn't the correct plant. We need to let one grow so we can see more of the plant. Unfortunately, Art was doing that, BUT mom went to the back and pulled it out when we weren't looking. Sigh... Will try again.
DeleteThe plants we want to grow languish but weeds always find a way to prevail. Hope you can get rid of it! I use too much roundup, nasty stuff but it is effective.
ReplyDeleteYou make everything interesting even weeds!
ReplyDeleteThat's why you were such an engaging teacher I'm sure
DeleteAt the sandy garden on Whidbey Island the neighbor has a very large tree that is a kind of elm. She will not hear of taking it down. It is extremely invasive and sends underground runners everywhere. Cutting them off only encourages it. We try to keep it under comtrol above ground, but the underground roots/runners are now far reaching, thick and fiberous.
ReplyDeleteCould yours be a type of elm?
Nope, not an elm tree either. Sigh... We don't have elms in Hawaii. We need to let one grow and see what kind of flower or whatever it brings forth.
DeleteI do hope you can figure out what the heck it is, but I don't recommend using Roundup because it's so awful itself!
ReplyDeleteThis weed has probably got all kinds of feelers out just ready to poke out of the ground.
ReplyDeleteDoes your county or a local university have an agricultural extension who could identify and suggest solutions?
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: I’ve never contacted them but once there’s enough of a plant, I think I will. Thank you for the suggestion.
DeleteUp here it is raspberry canes that are a total loss to eradicate. The underground runners can go for a long, long way.
ReplyDelete