"Martin Brown" wrote in message
...
In message , Franz Heymann
writes

"Martin Brown" wrote in message
...

[snip]

A few very tough weeds with large deep roots and small tough waxy
leaves
can survive it (and for some reason buttercup is partially resistant).

[snip]

Glyphosate is ever so slow in action compared to paraquat. I use both
according to my mood, and (because of my impatience?) I usually have to
apply glyphosate twice before the weeds keel over.

The second application is almost certainly wasted. Have more patience
and the weeds will keel over if you give them time for the waste
products of photosynthesis to build up. Green plants and glyphosate
don't mix.

Typically plants start to show serious signs of glyphosate damage after
about two weeks from application and it may take them another couple of
weeks to expire after that. And contrary to popular belief it may be
more effective to dilute the stuff to weaker than the recommended dose
(unlicensed use) so that it takes out more of the root system. Strong
sunshine, warmth and active growth speed the process up a bit.

Thanks for the advice. I will be more patient in future, and I will
certainly follow your suggestion of diluting it a bit more than the
container says, since the stuff is costing me an arm and a leg. Would it be
too greedy to go for a recipe which uses, say, 1.5 times as much water as
recommended on the bottle?

Translocating weedkillers like glyphosate take a lot longer than
paraquat but have a more throrough effect. It takes time to permeate
deep roots.

I used to have an RHS booklet "Gardening Chemicals", alas now on permanent
loan to an unknown friend, in which I am sure that paraquat was also
described as being translocating.
I confess that I don't know precisely what the term means. Could you
describe it for someone who is not entirely ignorant of botanical matters?

Does paraquat really put paid to a plant, root and all, or does it only
interfere temporarily with the photosnthesis in the leaves?

Paraquat is much faster acting but is much more inclined to just burn
off the tops by excessive growth in the manner that Alan seems to think
glyphosate works.

It looks great for the gardener requiring instant gratification.

So I will use it in the places where my better half wants the garden to look
spick and span, and use glyphosate where I actually want to get rid of the
weeds. Both of us are too ancient and decrepit to indulge in much hand
weeding or hoeing.

[Franz Heymann]