Roundup

[Kondla, Norbert FOR:EX]

As I understand it, Roundup is a brand name for a product that goes by the
name of Vision for forestry applications.  Both have the same active
ingredient - glyphosate.  This active ingredient works only on an enzyme
pathway found in plants and has zero toxicological effects on animals.  I
think it also breaks down rapidly under UV rays and is not know to be
persistent in the soil - unlike products like tordon. It is widely used in
agricultural environments and for home use. I have no idea what the
toxicological properties (if any) of the surfactant are.  I use this product
where needed to kill plants that persistently try to grow in the cracks of
my driveway.  Also I use it to knock back the lawn grass at the base of my
cotoneaster hedge and even tho some spray does hit the leafless parts of the
shrub stems, I have not seen any effect on the shrubs as a result of this.
Since the grass does reinvade the sprayed areas over time, I take this as
proof of it not being persistent in the soil.  Subject to evidence to the
contrary, I view this as a very safe chemical for use in plant control.
Might as well say something controversial here and observe that life without
chemicals is impossible for a number of reasons, not the least of which is
that life consists of chemicals. The best we can do is to avoid the most
harmful chemicals and use all chemicals with caution.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diane Falk [mailto:gardens2 at mindspring.com]
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 1:50 PM
To: dplex-l at raven.cc.ukans.edu; Lep List
Subject: Roundup


Hello to all,
     Instead of quietly ignoring the Roundup issue I'd like to see more
information shared regarding toxicity and butterfly gardening.  I may
receive some _heat_ for throwing my usage into the hat so hear goes.
     None of us using Roundup truly wish to poison the earth nor larvae, nor
bees when we choose to apply an herbicide rated such as is Roundup, yet we
all must _deep down_ understand any chemical will "given timely research" be
discovered to have negative impact.   
     To keep my own Roundup use as safe as is possible I voluntarily chose
to spray (with hand-held gear) on windless periods of the day.  I try to
remember to wear goggles and gloves.  I spray as close to ground level as
possible.  
     Example.  Last November during a week of extremely warm sunny weather I
sprayed crab grass which had invaded areas where narcissus bulbs grow along
my driveway.  This one dose seems to have been effective because the grass
is now brown and no fresh green shoots are appearing.
     In another part of my eleven acres of butterfly gardens I sprayed
(again near to soil level) lawn which I wish to turn over with my Tiller
early in the spring so I could plant a larger patch of Monarch host-plant
and perennials.  Again---the Kentucky blue grass is deceased and
weather-permitting, I shall be able to work in this area very soon.
     I wish I could know there was no long-term nor unknown negative effects
from my use of this chemical.  Time and research will tell.   Responsible
use of the product will tell, as will irresponsible usage. 
     I prefer to lean toward safety yet I alone am responsible for holding
aggressive species of weeds at bay.  I prefer to lean toward safety because
I cannot prove, nor disprove how DDT, and other farm chemicals might have
triggered a fatal brain tumor in our three year old.
     What I am obviously trying to say is this:
     Spray low, spray responsibly, spray intelligently and try to do no harm
with what we know to be true with Roundup.   I recieve no funding from
Roundup, so this is not a commercial.  <Deep Sigh) I wish we could all
garden with no chemicals,...yet even baking soda on rose bushes is using a
chemical.  That's all I know how to share until time permits more
accumulated wisdom.
Have a great lepidoptera season!
Diane Falk
 
diane at serendipity-gardens.com <mailto:diane at serendipity-gardens.com> 
Serendipity B & B *** Serendipity Children's Memorial Gardens Foundation
Butterfly and Hummingbird Host and Nectar Plant Resources 
http://www.serendipity-gardens.com <http://www.serendipity-gardens.com>
>i< >i< >i<  diane at serendipity-gardens.com
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