AUG2010 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The article “Weed This” in your July edition, promoted a weed policy that is totally inappropriate to the climate and environment of Samford and environs.

The fact that thistles are growing in a paddock is a sign that thistle seeds have germinated there; it is not a sign of low fertility.  Thistles evolved in northern hemisphere Mediterranean climates and our mild winter allows the plants to go through their reproductive cycle with few plant competitors.  In our environment a Spear Thistle plant can produce viable seed in three weeks and their parachute type seeds spread easily in the slightest zephyr so any lazy landowner rapidly infects downwind paddocks.  A thistle that is cut off above ground level can still complete its seed maturation even if the flower heads have yet to burst into flower.  Not all plants mature at the same rate so almost inevitably a paddock of thistles that is slashed will have mature seed propelled into the air and a significant number of the slashed plants will just start to reproduce another set of flower heads.  The correct thistle control is to chip the plant out below ground level, collect the flower heads in a bag, let them dry, then burn them.  The incorrect procedure is to call the thistle an ally, and then go and watch television.

 Robert A. Backhouse – Mt Samson

 

 RE:  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Below is what appears on page 2 of our printed edition under “PLEASE NOTE”.