Need help identifying weeds in St. Augustine

Ashley316Texas – posted 09 September 2007 17:49

Didn’t receive a response posting this in “Weeds”, I hope someone can help from this forum:

Hi!

My grass if St. Augustine, Floratam I think (deep south Texas).

We’ve received a lot of rain this summer, great for the grass but the weeds have exploded.

Here are a bunch of pictures, the question simply is what the weeds are, and what I can buy to kill them without hurting the St. Augustine (Floratam, I think).

I appreciate your help, I have no clue and hope that you can help.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x168/chipsndukes/DSCF0509.jpghttp://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x168/chipsndukes/DSCF0507.jpghttp://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x168/chipsndukes/DSCF0506.jpghttp://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x168/chipsndukes/DSCF0505.jpghttp://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x168/chipsndukes/DSCF0495.jpg

saltcedar – posted 09 September 2007 18:50

BermudagrassHorse HerbOxalis

Most broadleaf weedkillers will severely damage St Augustine. Hand weeding may be your only optionunless you’re willing to kill the St.Augustine in areas where the weed growth is heaviest and re-sod later.

HTH

[This message has been edited by saltcedar (edited 09 September 2007).]

Ashley316Texas – posted 09 September 2007 19:10

Thank you saltcedar, that was very fast and I think you nailed them all, I just looked at pictures of each of the two leafy weeds that I searched for, and that’s definitely them.

If I have to hand weed, that’s OK, otherwise I may kill them off with a broad spectrum herbicide and try and let the St. Augustine take over again, I don’t know if anyone has any tips for trying to “repair” spots that have really gotten out of control (I have many like that).

Thanks,Ashley316Texas

hankhill – posted 11 September 2007 03:51

quote:Originally posted by saltcedar:Most broadleaf weedkillers will severely damage St Augustine. Hand weeding may be your only optionunless you’re willing to kill the St.Augustine in areas where the weed growth is heaviest and re-sod later.

HTH

[This message has been edited by saltcedar (edited 09 September 2007).][/B]

Huh? Atrazine comes to mind immediately as a broadleaf weed killer that doesn’t hurt SA.Also, certain formulations of 2,4-D and Dicamba, such as “Southern Speedzone” arelabeled for use on SA.

[This message has been edited by hankhill (edited 11 September 2007).]

Ashley316Texas – posted 12 September 2007 19:18

OK, thanks. I’ll check these out.

Ashley316Texas

saltcedar – posted 21 September 2007 11:04

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/c-soc/atrazine.html

seed – posted 22 September 2007 16:09

Thanks!

Phil

Almaroad – posted 01 October 2007 16:17

Most of those photos are “Speedwell”. Of which there are many NAMES and varieties; ie, corn speedwell, winter speedwell. should have a small white blossem. Give it a shot of Image and water it in 1 day after application for Centipede and St. Augustine. Follow that up (IN 14 DAYS) with a application of 1 oz. of 4L Liquid Atrazine + .40 oz of Basagran + a little sticker. All per 1000 sf. Do not mow for two days, apply at the rate/K and do not mow for two days after. THIS SHOULD BE DONE BETWEEN OCT.1 and before the grass goes into dormancy in your area. If your not adapt to using a fan spray backback–I’d let a professional do it as it is real important to get the coverage even. This will get a lot of the broadleafs including the speedwell, will act as a pre-emergent until you get an application of granular Atrazine December 15th. There’s more but for now–get ‘er done!

saltcedar – posted 02 October 2007 10:41

http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/images/pics/ast/calyptocarpus_vialis.htm

It’s not Speedwell (Veronica spp.) with which I’m quite familiar. It’s Calyptocarpus vialis (aka Horseherb) a quite common weed or groundcover here in Texas.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31751/HTH

[This message has been edited by saltcedar (edited 02 October 2007).]

Alex_in_FL – posted 20 October 2007 12:42

Almaroad gave you good advice.

I also noted some type of sedge in the first photo. You can try treating with image (which also kills broadleafs) but you will likely need sedgehammer (formerly known as manage) to really get rid of the sedge.

Remember to use a good pre-emerge this spring. Prevention beats post spray every day.

[This message has been edited by Alex_in_FL (edited 20 October 2007).]