Great gads I have GIANT HOGWEED!!!

[wiccanlou]

Well i did have and I cut it down with large amounts caution with my hands covered and treated the stem internally with Glyphosate.

Does anyone know if the Glyphosate will work for definate??

[Cloud]

I think you will have to keep re applying it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wiccanlou]

Thanks for that, I thought i might need to do that but i wasn't sure. I applied it neat directly in the stem. i'm ganna talk to the other plot holders as there are more plants on other disused plots.

[Cloud]

You could NUKE it.lol

[wiccanlou]

I'm thinking of setting fire to it with a flame thrower. I'm sure i can rig something up from my industrial size can of hairspray!!

[lynda66]

Giant Hogweed is a phototoxic plant. Its sap can cause phytophotodermatitis ie severe skin inflammations when the skin is exposed to sunlight or to UV-rays. Initially the skin colours red and starts itching. Then blisters form as in burns within 48 hours. They form black or purplish scars, which can last several years. Hospitalisation may become necessary.[1] Presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes, can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness. These reactions are caused by the presence of linear derivatives of furocoumarin in its leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds. These chemicals can get into the nucleus of the epithelial cells, forming a bond with the DNA, causing the cells to die. The brown colour is caused by the production of melanin by furocoumarins. In Germany, where this plant has become a real nuisance, there were about 16,000 victims in 2003.
Giant Hogweed (close-up)
Giant Hogweed (close-up)

Children should be kept away from Giant Hogweed, and protective clothing (including eye protection) should be worn when handling it or digging it. If skin is exposed, the affected area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and the exposed skin protected from the sun for several days.[1]

[edit] Countermeasures

Because of its phototoxicity and its invasive nature, Giant Hogweed is often actively removed. In the UK the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to plant or cause Giant Hogweed to grow in the wild.[1]

For effective control, the plant should not be mowed down, but rather sprayed with an herbicide on intervals until it is gone. Even after the parent plant is completely removed, the numerous seeds left behind can germinate 7 to 15 years later, and ongoing monitoring is required. If the physical method of control uses effective bodily protection such as head to toe covering, plus eye protection, removing the green growth helps to exhaust the root and will weaken the plant, so digging it out (as far as 60 cm deep) and chopping it is feasible.
A warning in Peterborough, England
A warning in Peterborough, England

Herbicides such as 2,4-D, TBA, MCPA and dicamba will kill above ground parts but are reportedly not particularly effective on persistent rootstalks. Glyphosate (Roundup) is considered the most effective herbicide and should be used cautiously around desirable species since it is nonselective. Application during bud stage and while the plant is actively growing is recommended by New York Cooperative Extension.

[vicky]

I agree with Lynda66, it's really nasty stuff - take care!

[Maf]

Wouldn't want it on an allotment but GHW is a magnificent plant. The folks that wrote the Wildlife and Countryside Act should be ashamed. Just cos a few misguided kids in the 70's got their lips burned, the powers that be encourage the systematic extermination of a beautiful riverside native ?

Don't get me started on barbed wire round electricity pylons.... If your dumb enough to climb one... then you deserve to get electricuted !

[Kristen]

"Don't get me started on barbed wire round electricity pylons"

Have you voted for the Darwin Awards? You'll be all for "people removing themselves from the shallow end of the gene pool", by the sounds of it!

[lynda66]

You'll be all for "people removing themselves from the shallow end of the gene pool", by the sounds of it!

*tries swimming to the deep end* ..... damn i wish i'd learned to swim

[Cloud]

I agree with Maf.I can remember standing before one of these plants in my youth in total awe at its size!We knew not to touch it so we didn't.

[wiccanlou]

I thought that the GHW was introduced by the genius Victorians as one of their many specimum plants?? None of which they have brought over have had a particularily good effect for our countryside.

I found this on the web

http://www.ruralni.gov.uk/giant_hogweed_cmb.pdf

I have notified the travellers that live up the end of my road right by our allotments, they have it throughout. Sadly they have had their trampolene in the middle of a patch and had been wondering why the kids have rashes and sores up their legs, they have sectioned that area off now and are going to see a GP when they can.

Thanks for the additional info Lynda66 I only knew of two treatments but I am determined as are the other plot users to stop this plant taking over. I poured neat glyphosate straight down the cut stem so hopefully it will have an effect on it and i am going to keep treating and start destroying the other plants with the help of others.