Musk Thistle Author: K.G. This … The effectiveness of chemical control is influenced by the weather and the stage of growth of the thistle at the time of application. Slugging it Out with Pre-Plant Insecticides: Is it Worth it? Figure 1. Chemical control of all types is most effective in the rosette stage and least effective when musk thistle is in flower. Musk Thistle is a biennial weed that is reproduced by the release of its seeds and has a two year life span. The plants develop a rosette, with large leaves 30–60 centimetres (12–24 in) long. Thistles that germinate in the spring will spend the entire summer as a rosette, … Musk thistle has been reported in nearly every county in Kansas (Figure 1) and is found primarily in pastures, rangeland, hay meadows, alfalfa, fallow, roadsides, and waste areas. During the rosette stage (either fall or spring), Musk thistle is most susceptible to chemical control. The data in this table reflect residual control of rosettes that germinated during spring 2013. Once established it spreads rapidly because of the large number of seeds produced. Musk thistle, Carduus nutans L., is an invasive weed that has become widespread in the contiguous states of the United States. The rosette overwinters and the cold causes the rosette to bolt the next season and produce seed. These products are all labelled for use on range and pasture. Photo courtesy of Walt Fick, K-State Research and Extension. musk thistle control. Figure 9. Carduus nutans. Musk thistle forms a rosette the first year and then bolts the second year to produce flowering stalks and has a taproot. Tordon 22K contains 2 lbs per gallon picloram. Musk thistle rosette, which often grows 2 feet or more in diameter, with no pubescence on the underside of the leaf, which helps distinguish it from plumeless thistle rosettes. All treatments provided excellent control of rosettes present at the time of spraying (data not shown). By mid to late May the plants bolt (sending up flowering stems) and soon after bloom. The stem is cottony/hairy. The data in this table reflect residual control of rosettes that germinated during spring 2013. The spraying window in the fall probably extends until the ground is frozen and the musk thistle plants have shut down activity until warmer temperatures in the spring. The musk thistle rosette weevil feeds on rosette leaves. Canada thistle response to fire has been erratic, with infestations sometimes reduced or occasionally enhanced by fire. Musk thistle generally invades areas that are especially dry and overgrazed. Fall is the preferred time for applying herbicides to biennial thistles, such as musk thistle and bull thistle. Flowering and seed … For most effective control in spring, apply the herbicide(s) while the musk thistle is in the rosette stage of growth and actively growing. 1. Plants are usually two to six feet tall or taller. The basal leaves form a rosette and the stem leaves are stalkless and have long, spear-like, terminal lobes. The musk thistle rosette weevil feeds on rosette leaves. Seeds generally germinate in the fall or spring, but may germinate any time moisture is sufficient. Seeds develop shortly after flowers emerge. Download these helpful knowledge building tools, Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing. 2. The second year it bolts and sends up a tall flowering stalk with many purple flower heads. The key to successful musk thistle control is to prevent seed production. Flowering musk thistle plant. Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) is one of 12 state-wide noxious weeds in Kansas infesting over 700,000 acres. Dicamba + 2,4-D amine at 0.25 + 0.75 lbs per acre and picloram at 0.125 lbs per acre were also effective (>90% control) on musk thistle treated in the fall. d For use in bermudagrass only. If possible, select a warm, sunny day when spraying musk thistle this fall. Plants are usually two to six feet tall or taller. In its second year of growth, the musk thistle plant will leave the rosette … The typical musk thistle exhibits itself first in the form of a rosette, a cluster of tightly packed leaves laying flat on the ground which vary in diameter from a few inches to three feet. Musk thistle dominated this field, left, in 1975, before … They actively seek musk thistle rosettes and feed on the foliage of the same. However, musk thistle control is easiest as a rosette (Figure 2, bottom photo). A musk thistle seedling has a flat growing rosette. However, it may germinate and flower in a single year in warmer climates. Footnotes. 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