AusBonsai

Hi, I have had a chronic problem with military fern and oxalis for many years and can't seem to make any headway. I have plucked and weeded regularly and bare rooted but it is a particular problem amongst the tight roots of many ficus. I got some advice from a lady recently who says that she sprays it with Mortein and it will die off. I have experimented with a couple of pots with limited success. Does anyone have a secret tip for controlling these pesky weeds in bonsai?
Cheers Greg

Nuke it from orbit. it's the only way to be sure.

Otherwise you can dab tiny amounts of glyphosate with a brush. I've done this on oxalis growing amoungst figs and olives without any problems.

Matt.

Thanx Matt, I have considered the nuclear option at times. I have wondered about the weed wand idea. do you brush on neat or diluted? GI

I regularly wipe glyphosate on any oxalis that dares to show itself in my pots. That seems to be the best way. Just use a brush dipped in undiluted mix and wipe over the leaves of the weeds. If they are tall and leaves mixed up with your tree, cut them all off and wait until the leaves shoot again.
You will have to be persistent though. Not only do the seeds last a long time but it also has tiny tubers in the soil that will grow when the parent plant dies. It can take 4-6 years to really get rid of it. You definitely need to get them all before they flower for it to be effective.

Thanx again, I will wreak great vengeance upon them. Cheers

I have EXCELLENT success on all weeds with Pine Oil, organic, eco-friendly, safe for people and pets, non systemic, and kills most weeds almost while you watch.
Watty

BBlow torch fixes all my weeds,sometimes my plants too.

Hi watty , where can one get pine oil . Does the big green shed sell it and how do you use it
Peterb

Yep a bit interested in the pine oil option as well. Not so sure about the blow torch tho.

a mate of mine got a pre-mix bottle from Masters on special (I think everything at Masters is on special now) and you simply spray on the offending.
I personally researched to buy concentrate and in quantity and I use it on a ratio of 4:1 or 5:1 depending on the toughness of the weed.
I use it across my entire one acre property including my vegie garden with my wife's total approval (Nutritionist, Naturopath, Herbologist)
I am currently working on a distribution arrangement as I have not seen another product like it.
PM me and we can maybe sort out a small amount to you as trial.
Watty

we use pine oil at our community garden Watty. I believe it is a contact herbicide rather than a systemic. That means that it can kill most annuals but perennials like oxalis will sprout again from the roots. we have been using it on ivy and couch grass on and off for a couple of years with little effect at the community garden.
Anyone with any further experience?

Personal insect repellent also kills weeds very quickly. Does not seem to matter what the active ingredient is so maybe it is the carrier or propellant that kills the weeds (Greg has mentioned that mortein also kills weeds but with limited success). Again not sure whether it will get rid of persistent perennials but leaves do die very quickly after a very short spray. Also cannot vouch for long term safety of the bonsai - possible chemical buildup in the soil????

Might it be the propellant in Mortein and Aeroguard rather than the actives Neil?

Cheers,
Mojo

Well bought Amgrow Organix Weed Blitz in a premix spray bottle and got instant results. The Oxalis withered in minutes so will see how I go with regrowth. Thanks all for the advice, might get weed free trees in time. Cheers GI

No reemergence of oxalis as yet, very happy with the results. Does play havoc with moss tho.