Angled Onions leaving a sour taste

Angled Onion (Allium triquetrum) has been increasing in recent years along local roadsides, stream banks and bush land areas.  Thriving in damp areas and tolerating windy conditions, Angled Onion, (if left unchecked) has the potential to become even more common in South Gippsland.

For those not familiar with the plant, Angled Onion is a bulbous perennial herb growing 30- 50cm tall. It has bright green, limp, fleshy, pointed leaves with a strong onion smell when crushed and small, white, bell-shaped flowers, clustered at end of long, triangular stems from August to November. Each petal has a middle green line. The fruit is a round green capsule, 4- 6mm diameter, with black, oblong seeds presenting from September to December. 

Without adequate control, Angled Onion is capable of smothering and displacing native grasses and groundcovers by preventing seed germinating and subsequent regeneration. In addition, given that Angled Onion is seasonal and dormant leaving bare ground in summer, it increases the likelihood of soil erosion.  In agricultural situations, Angled Onion imparts a strong onion flavor and an unpleasant odor to dairy products and meat, making them unfit for sale. The weeds seeds are dispersed by water and ants. Seeds and bulbs are also spread by contaminated soil and garden refuse.

In terms of control, plants can be dug out ensuring that all bulbs, corms and rhizomes are removed. Remove small and scattered plants first and then target outer edges of larger infestations. Dispose of removed material by either burning in a very hot fire or seal in strong bags and take to the tip.

For larger infestations, treat using herbicide at the bulb exhaustion stage late winter to early spring as treatments outside this period do not provide the same degree of control. Brush Off and Pulse penetrant is effective (off label use).

If unable to spray, at the very least remove flower heads prior to seed set, using either a lawn mower or brush cutter. It may take several years to exhaust the bulb food supply. Continue cutting new growth and maintaining dense mulch.

Here come the bride

 

Winter in South Gippsland; the air is chilly, the rain is frequent, and Bridal Creeper is growing at a rate of knots!

 

Please be vigilant in controlling new outbreaks; keep a lookout underneath trees where seeds have been spread by birds. All underground tubers need to be removed in order for manual removal to be fully effective. Tubers can grow at some depth under the soil therefore using a small mattock to get leverage is the best way to go. All removed material should be double bagged and disposed of appropriately. Removed tubers have been shown to survive even without light for 2 years, therefore correct disposal is important.

 

For larger infestations, foliar spray using Brush Off (off label* in Victoria) from June to August up until flowering and prior to fruiting. If using Brush Off, care must be taken to avoid killing surrounding native vegetation.

Although Bridal Creeper is relatively common in Victoria, there is still potential for further spread.  Active control will reduce the chance of spread; and protect vulnerable native plants and animals in the process.  Now excuse me, I'm off to kick some (Bridal Creeper) butt!

Off Label * In Victoria off label use (not exceeding the maximum rate on the label) is permitted except for restricted chemicals requiring an ACUP e.g Grazon. Off label permits can be applied for at the DEPI or Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Off label use can be quite complex and it is recommended that enquiries be made in the first instance with the DEPI. The DEPI website does have good info on chemical use rules go to;  http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/chemical-use

Kate

Broom taking up all the room?

It's no surprise as this plant prides itself on readily invading native vegetation; roadsides in particular are a favourite spot for broom to take hold.  There are a number of varieties of broom that are problematic to the Australian environment because they are toxic to stock, provide harbour for feral animals and they increase fire fuel loads.  Unfortunately for South Gippslanders we have 3 varieties of broom that fit this description to contend with; Flax Leaf Broom, Cape Broom and English Broom. Each variety has unique characteristics however they all exhibit the same distinct pea shaped flowers in spring that are bright yellow in colour.  There are a number of ways to control broom weeds, they can be pulled out by hand (if small enough), slashed, grazed treated with herbicide yet what is the best approach? To answer this question (and hopefully unearth the best techniques currently available) the Federal Government is hosting a series of workshops titled "Building Best Practice- for Brooms and African Boxthorn" and you're invited.  The workshop in West Gippsland is to be held in Pakenham on Friday the 17^th of May 2013, 10am to 2pm.  RSVP's to National Brooms Coordinator, Matt Springall on 0427 536 138 or email to matthew.springall@environment.nsw.gov.au . Having dealt with broom first hand I will be going. If you are a land manager also dealing with broom or boxthorn then I hope that you will be there too!

Adios Indian Myna birds!

Eighty Indian Myna bird (myna bird) traps available for purchase through the South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) have now been sold to landholders in the district. Making traps available for purchase is part of a campaign, (initiated by SGLN) to reduce myna bird numbers with the aim of protecting native birds and reducing productivity loses. 

 

The response to the campaign has been overwhelmingly positive. If the amount of public interest in myna bird control is anything to go by, myna birds had better look out- their days might be numbered! In the order of 140 calls or emails have been received by SGLN alone since February this year from people wanting to know where they can source a trap.

 

People's motives for myna bird control are diverse. Several fruit growers referred to the damage caused to crops. Those with chickens spoke of the constant battle to stop the blighters from eating all the chook feed.  Another common occurrence is the absence of native birdlife on properties inundated with myna birds.  All of these motives are valid and warrant action to be taken in reducing myna bird numbers.

 

Of those that purchased a trap through SGLN, several people have reported success with trapping which is inspiring to hear. One person in particular has reportedly trapped 27 myna birds, a fantastic effort so far.

 

There are no more myna bird traps are available for sale through SGLN however it's hoped that those who purchased a trap will be sharing theirs with their neighbours, as is already happening.  If you're keen on the idea of building your own trap, a copy of the design can be sent to you free of charge by contacting Landcare Project Officer, Kate Williams on T: 5662 5759 or E: 0428 317 928. Alternatively, myna birds traps can be purchased commercially for $65.00 from Mick at The Green Patch T: 0425 762 487. Servicing Bass Coast & South Gippsland or Raglan Gardens Nursery for $35.00, 7 Raglan Street, Sale T: 5144 4493.

 

The South Gippsland Landcare Network is encouraging those who purchased a trap to share the results of their control efforts. Visit www.feralscan.org.au/mynascan for details or alternatively, email Landcare Project Officer, Kate Williams at katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au to report your numbers trapped. Recording captured numbers is vital to determine the effectiveness of this control program and it inspires healthy competition between other trapping groups.