A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2007 Mile a minute weed?

I hope this isn't what I suspect!


If so, any suggestions on how to get rid of it before it spreads rampant through my woods?

Joanne

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like it could be a wild cucumber vine.

Hi Netty, thanks for the response. I looked up the cucumber vine but its not the same. I zoomed in on the leaves a little better... hope it helps.


Joanne

Yes, I think you're right,
it certainly appears to be Polygonum perfoliatum ("Mile-a-Minute weed").
I'd get rid of it ASAP.
If it's just in the one place, I'd trace it to the base, and dig it out.
If there's more, you might cut the vines near the base
and paint the cut ends with a good weed killer,
maybe RoundUp.

I've never seen a plant like that out here in the west, but it IS kind of a pretty vine! (From what you're saying, I don't think I want it... so don't send me seeds!)

From what I've heard, Roundup only kills what's above the ground, & doesn't absorb through to the roots, to kill off the plant.

(Darn! Why can't there be a pretty mile-a-minute flower?)

Hope you get it all out Joanne!

Thanks everyone, I was hoping I was wrong. Why does all the unwanted invasive stuff end up on my property? Why can't some coneflowers or clematis magically appear instead??

I took a better look and there seems to be 4 or 5 vines growing in the same area. Unfortunately it is in the area that poison ivy also grows so I have no intention of wading in there to pull it out. My hubby will have to suit up and dig it out for me. I like the idea of painting the cut ends with brush killer, especially if he can't get all the way to the roots.

Thanks for the help!

Joanne

zuzu, I love your signature line. Mine would be Je mange trop, donc je suis beaucoup. And I say that with the most proper southern accent.