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From: donn@hpfcdc.HP.COM (Donn Terry)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: Getting Weeds with Roundup
Message-ID: <690002@hpfcdc.HP.COM>
Date: Fri, 24-Oct-86 11:07:50 EST
Article-I.D.: hpfcdc.690002
Posted: Fri Oct 24 11:07:50 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 26-Oct-86 04:32:17 EST
References: <1132@mhuxl.UUCP>
Organization: HP Ft. Collins, Co.
Lines: 22

As far as I can tell, Roundup and Kleenup are the same thing (read the labels,
but I think the active ingredient is "glyphosphate").  In any case, the
description recently posted that it must enter in green tissue and be
transported to the roots is true (and that it goes away quickly).  In
fact, I believe the biochemistry is such that when it enters the leaves
it is changed chemically into a root poison, and if applied directly to
the roots it has no effect (because the untransformed form is not a poison).

I have heard of a solution to the specific problem of selective weeding that
started this discussion: "paint" the leaves of the unwanted plants (just
use a small paintbrush.)  It will be transported to the roots, killing that
plant, but because a nearby plant did not get it on it's green tissue, it
won't be affected (unless you dribble, of course).  I've never tried this,
so I can't vouch for any gotchas, but it sounds reasonable.  Try it in
a limited area.

Of course you can always try the Colorado form of weed control: snow
in early October!

Donn Terry
HP
Ft. Collins, Co.