Controlling cactus

[RWolf]

I'm trying to eradicate some pear cactus. I know that roundup won't touch it because of the waxy coating on the cactus and I know that one method is to dig it up completely roots and all and another method is a special chemical that requires an applicator license to use. I'm wondering that after digging up as much as I can would roundup work on the exposed roots?

 

[AKfish]

I'm trying to eradicate some pear cactus. I know that roundup won't touch it because of the waxy coating on the cactus and I know that one method is to dig it up completely roots and all and another method is a special chemical that requires an applicator license to use. I'm wondering that after digging up as much as I can would roundup work on the exposed roots?

I'd check with my local NRCS folk's.

Seem to remember from my days in drier, dustier places that catcus will establish new growth from those re-distributed root parts... don't need that!

(Did I ever tell you about the time; Antelope hunting when I sat down to glass a bunch of goats... )

AKfish

 

[RWolf]

Thanks, I'm figuring I'll need to go back and dig some more but it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[chh]

Chopping it with a brushhog can spread it. I used to try and control what we have here in OK that way. Check with the NRCS or your local Ag extension agent. The applicators license is not too hard to get(in OK anyway) and is good for 5 years. The study guide is a great cure for insomnia though. I just finished up the paperwork for mine.

 

[The Dougster]

RWolf, it seems we are fighting the same battles re: prickly pear and cedar trees.... I'm guessing it's a war we won't win but hopefully we can keep them under control...
What I have done is place my FEL bucket edge down and begun scraping the prickly pear into piles, much to my wife's distress... "They look ugly" she says... anyhow, that's another problem I'll deal with later... for now, the pasture looks 200% better than it did....
I have read that if the plant is damaged prior to spraying, we can have much better results... we'll see about that.
Somewhere on my desk is a note and phone number to register for a class to obtain a private applicator license... It will be held in Lampasas in April ... if I can find my notes I'll let you know. Assuming things work out, I plan to take the class/test... Okidokers?

 

[EastTexFrank]

I have had some success with Roundup and also Grazon. I always put a bunch of surfactant in the mix which may help it get through the waxy coating and be absorbed. I had to do it 2 or 3 times so it would depend on how much of it you have to get rid of but it's a lot easier than trying to dig it up. I always look for the easy way. Just basically lazy, I guess.

 

[RWolf]

Finally got back to this thread (heck of a week). Hope to get back into the pasture this weekend. Last weekend was able to get all but a couple of trees out from the acreage I'm clearing. This week is cleanup (including storm damage) and trying to get the last cedars out. Looks like one more patch of cactus (aside from very small babys). Now if they'd lift the burn ban.

BTW; Dougster, I'll be getting with you sometime this summer to get some of that mesquite if it's still available. Thanks.

 

[Mike120]

Find an old pear burner, burn off the spines, and the cattle will eat them. No more cactus. We used to have to be careful to not burn it all because it was our "reserve" for the frequent droughts we had in South Texas.

 

[The Dougster]

RWolf, the mesquite will be there for many years and you are always welcome to as much as you want... Well, let me qualify that a little bit.. The last fellow to come out for mesquite left the remnants scattered everywhere.. that will be his last load... the only thing I ask is to throw the limbs into a pile so I won't have to... I am incredibly lazy. lol

 

[RWolf]

Thank's, I'll do my best to clean up.

Update on pasture, all cedar out and piled waiting for burn ban to lift. Only one cactus patch left in field but that area will be fenced off because it's where we have buried some of our horses and other pets. Next phase is to do a cross fence pasture. Followed up with light discing, fertilizing and seeding.