Identifying Scotch Thistle - Tips For Managing Scotch Thistle Plants

Positive identification of a Scotch thistle is easy – the sharp-edge, hairy leaves are a dead giveaway. Rosettes of leaves can reach up to six feet across and stems may grow from six to eight feet tall.

How do you control Scotch thistle?

Herbicides

Correct rate and timing of application – herbicides are most effective on seedlings and young rosettes however once plants begin stem elongation herbicides may be less effective.
The hairy leaves of the thistles can reduce herbicide effectiveness through reduced absorption.

How do I know what type of thistle I have?

Look for mostly hairless, green and oblong leaves that have edges with spine-tipped lobes to spot the yellow thistle (Cir. horridulum). The yellow thistle has thick, hairy, 2- to 5-foot stems and buff-yellow to reddish-purple flower heads that sit atop a whorl of spiny leaves.

How do you plant Scottish thistle?

Clear the ground and plant seeds directly. Space at about at least 24 - 30 inches as plants can get quite large and ground leaves can be quite expansive. Keep area clear of weeds until seedlings have begun to grow well. All seedlings may take two years to germinate.

What do you spray on thistle in pasture?

Several herbicides are effective and recommended for thistle control. Several newer herbicides like ForeFront, Milestone, and Chaparral are very effective. Two other very effective herbicides are Tordon 22K and Grazon.

Why is Scotch thistle a problem?

Scotch thistle is a problem in rangelands and other open areas. Infestations of Scotch thistle reduce forage production and virtually prohibit land utilization for livestock and block access for people and wildlife. Dense stands of the large, spiny plants exclude animals from grazing and access to water.

How does Scotch thistle spread?

As with all thistles, seed heads are a collection of florets, and each seed is attached to a pappus which allows it to be blown in the wind. When growing under good conditions, the flowering plant can get well over 1 m in height and takes up a lot of space in pasture due to its branching growth habit.

Is Thistle good for anything?

Milk thistle is used as a natural remedy to treat a range of health conditions. ... Milk thistle is also known as Mary thistle or holy thistle. It is mainly used to treat liver problems, but some people claim it can lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes.

How do I permanently get rid of thistles?

It is possible to kill the thistles in your lawn, but you can't do it overnight. A very effective way to remove them is to cut them off at ground level. Remove the whole top, but do not disturb the roots. When you cut the top, you deprive the root of its food, and it cannot make more food without green leaves.

Will vinegar kill thistle?

A homemade herbicide consisting of vinegar and salt may be effective at killing unwanted thistle plants. The vinegar needs to contain at least 20 percent acetic acid to be effective at killing weeds. ... Be cautious about spraying plants you would like to keep with this mixture, because it will kill them as well.

Why is thistle Scotland's national flower?

But one legend has it a sleeping party of Scots warriors were saved from ambush by an invading Norse army when one of the enemies trod on the spiky plant. His anguished cry roused the slumbering warriors who duly vanquished the invader and adopted the thistle as their national symbol.

Is globe thistle invasive?

Probably the best known of these is Echinops sphaerocephalus. That species is considered invasive in parts of the United States. It's also a rapid spreader in its native regions of Europe and western Asia. To prevent invasive spread, remove the flower before it can fully develop seeds.

What type of soil do thistles like?

Thistles closely resemble dandelions, but with prickers. When treating a thistle infestation it helps to understand a few things about their biology. One, they like poor, dry, hard soil - places where few other plants thrive - and full sun.

How do you get rid of thistle in a pasture?

The best time to dig or hand-pull thistles is when they have bolted but not yet flowered. It is not necessary to dig out the entire taproot. Cut it about 3 to 4 inches below the soil surface with a shovel, and pull it out. These thistles do not have creeping roots and produce new shoots.

Will RoundUp kill thistles?

You can spray thistles with Roundup, an herbicide for home use, containing glyphosate as the active ingredient. Roundup works well because it penetrates herbaceous stems and translocates to the roots. Apply Roundup herbicide in early spring after active growth begins but before flowers expire.

How do you kill thistles without chemicals?

How to Kill Thistles Organically, Without Chemicals

Step 1: Purchase an Organic Weed Killer. WEED BEATER FE. ...
Step 2: Use the Weed Out Lawn Tool for Thistles. Another method for dealing with Thistles is to just pull them out using our Weed Out Lawn Weeding Tool or Weed Out Pro Lawn Weeding Tool. ...
Step 3: Mow the Lawn.

How do you get rid of thistles naturally?

Trying Natural Herbicides. Spray white vinegar on the thistles to slowly kill them. Pour household white vinegar into a spray bottle. Then, spritz the vinegar directly onto the thistle plants until the plants are dripping with vinegar.

How long do thistle seeds last?

Canadian thistle - rosettes require about 14-16 hours of day length to bolt and flower, produce about 1500 seeds per plant with the potential for the seeds to remain viable in the soil for approximately 20 years. About 90% of the seeds germinate within one year.

What herbicide kills Scotch thistles?

Selective herbicides such as 2,4-D are useful in grass pastures. Glyphosate is used in areas where killing surrounding plants is not a concern such as fallows or small areas. Broadacre spraying in winter, spring or summer on crops, fallow or pastures is effective against Onopordum thistles.

Are Scotch thistles poisonous?

Variegated thistle is poisonous under certain conditions. It can kill cattle and occasionally sheep, especially when hungry animals consume large quantities in the absence of alternative feed, although its menacing spines act as a deterrent.

What chemical kills thistles?

Apply herbicides to kill thistle, especially in spring and fall, before thistles can flower and seed. Use glyphosate for your garden, and use a broad-leaf herbicide containing 2,4-D or MCPP for your lawn. Since glyphosate kills all plants, you must keep application specific.

Is Scotch thistle edible?

Edible parts of Scotch Thistle:

Stems - cooked. Used as a vegetable, they are a cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) substitute. The stems are cooked in water like asparagus or rhubarb. ... They are harvested before the flowers develop and the prickles must be removed prior to cooking.