[VoodooChile]

I have a client with a large vigorous trumpet vine, that is sending root sprouts up in an adjacent garden and lawn. The vine is a effective seasonal cover for a two-story elevated deck, flowers nicely, and optimally would remain.

To contain the root sprouts I am considering excavating a 4' long/2' deep square trench 2' from the base of the vine, laying in landscape fabric, and backfilling. The work would be done in Spring '05.

The sprouts, separated from the parent plant, could then be plucked to eliminate. Parent plant could stand a reduction in vigor, and an increase in bloom (from the stress of root pruning).

Anybody have a better plan, or any objections to this?

[Chuck Sinclair]

We have done this but we used sheets of 1/8" plastic so the root where sure not to get thru. It worked great.

Originally posted by VoodooChile
I have a client with a large vigorous trumpet vine, that is sending root sprouts up in an adjacent garden and lawn. The vine is a effective seasonal cover for a two-story elevated deck, flowers nicely, and optimally would remain.

To contain the root sprouts I am considering excavating a 4' long/2' deep square trench 2' from the base of the vine, laying in landscape fabric, and backfilling. The work would be done in Spring '05.

The sprouts, separated from the parent plant, could then be plucked to eliminate. Parent plant could stand a reduction in vigor, and an increase in bloom (from the stress of root pruning).

Anybody have a better plan, or any objections to this?

[BJR]

Thick plastic is the go. Say 3mm. Roots could eventually penetrate landscape fabric. Make sure there are no joins.

[jwholden]

You may want to consider using one of the 'root pruning' fabrics. Otherwise, I like your plan. I would also consider a little root pruning this fall to prepare the vine for it's ordeal next year.

[dan deutekom]

This may not be the answer for your application but I have a large Trumpet vine along a fence in my park. What I do is take a spade and cut the roots that extend into the lawn just like edging a bed. I then spray the lawn with Killex. Takes care of things for the season. Although with the ban on pesticide use in our city, will have to rethink this fast and easy method

[VoodooChile]

John,
are root pruning fabrics now available on rolls? I have only seen them sewn into bags for planting trees...and what does root-pruning in the fall accomplish?

I don't like the plastic idea because it isn't a permeable membrane, and I worry that the vine, which is easily 20' long, 4' wide, will be starved for moisture. It is directly under a deck, and adjacent to a concrete pad.

But you guys are right; landscape fabric will allow root penetration.

As for root-pruning and herbicide on the shoots, I try to go organic/IPM, and only use pesticides as a last resort.

Not quite there yet!

[Paul]

If not for the location problem this product would work. http://www.deeproot.com/

[jwholden]

Thanks for the link Paul. I searched under Whitcomb but only found containers as well.

The root pruning may make the 'hacking' next year less stressful. The Campsis will start pushing new roots over the winter or early Spring before you hit it hard.

[justgardens]

Can you kill Trumpet Vine with ANYTHING or lack of? Maybe the plastic instead of fabric might keep growth to more of a minimum? Trumpet Vine could use a little starvation. Voodoo have you ever used 20% vinegar solution on anything in place of Roundup or Finale? I'm still searching for the right organic weed killer for a client.

[VoodooChile]

You're right Julie that this plant can take just about anything, but it is quite large and wouldn't want to induce heavy dieback given its prominence.

Plus, there's that "I've ripped out too much damn plastic/visqueen weed barrier" aversion , that makes me loath to add any to the landscape.

Organic Weed Control

I've used a vinegar based product called Burnout with minimal success. Decent foliage burndown, but quick return of the culprits.

Scythe is considered "mostly organic", as it is based on naturally occuring Pelargonic acid, and provides excellent burn-down. Repeated applications would be necessary to control perennial weeds, and the purists won't be appeased...

I've found this site useful for sorting through the options.

There's no organic magic bullet, IMHO. Organic weed control is only successful when deploying a multi-faceted strategy, that would include: 1) minimizing soil disturbance, 2) controling/eliminating seed sources, 3) fostering desirable species, and as a last resort 4) selective herbicide use. And in some situations, Glyphosphate might be the only, and best, recourse.

What I object to is the very anti-IPM practice of "Spray and Pray", which comes about because a client insists that "can't we just spray something on it?" I have seen that approach fail too many times to believe it is anything but a panacea.

For instance, take a Chem Lawn maintained yard off regular broad-leaf herbicide applications, and admire the quantity and rootstock size of the dandelions that return by mid-Spring...

After all, if the Chem Lawn and Scotts programs actually killed the weeds "roots and all", they wouldn't be a successful franchise or retail product, would they?

[justgardens]

Voodoo-I went to that site you recommended. I am going to add them to my web site as resource for people who are organically inclined. I did not know Finale was an earth friendly herbicide. ( I didn't realize you could even use those same words in a sentence) I have always liked Finale better than Roundup anyway and will begin using it exclusivly instead of Roundup. I have found it to be more effective anyway. I saw yesterday I will need to use AGAIN on some wayward Trumpet Vine in my garden. Thank you for the info. I forwarded it and the website to my client so she and I can make some better informed choices when dealing with her landscape.