Wednesday, April 29, 2009

How can I get rid of kudzu and how can I find out if walls are insulated without taking them down.?

Our back yard and side yard are filled with kudzu it is climbing the trees and getting closer to the house we need it gone fast!


Also we need to know if our walls are insulated or heating and cooling our home is going to cost a fortune.

How can I get rid of kudzu and how can I find out if walls are insulated without taking them down.?
Prior answerer may know kudzu better than me, but while it is crazy invasive, it is still just a plant. Go to the home center, and get yourself some Roundup. Nuke the stuff. If you cut some, put Roundup on the cut stub.





You don't need a big hole to check for insulation -- I should think 1/4" should do. Shine a light in the little hole, and if you see pink, you're good to go. If you see open space, time to insulate. Use lightweight spackle to fill the hole, and paint of needed.
Reply:you have to find the "root" of kudzu and dig it up. Using a weed killer wil hep but not kill it out completely.





the only way to know about your walls, is to cut out a small section of sheet rock and see if there is insulation there.
Reply:take the plate off of any wall switch or plug and look around the box, you should be able to see if there is any insulation sticking around it. not definitive but easy.


How to kill kudzu or at least get it under control and keep it that way.?

buying some property and it has alot of kudzu on the trees.

How to kill kudzu or at least get it under control and keep it that way.?
Hi where I grew up we have kudzu every where once it dies down for the winter you can cut it off the trees but it will try to come back in the spring. We all ways tried to keep it mowed back but here are a couple of sites you might find helpful. www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/kudzu... , www.answers.com/topic/kudzu
Reply:I would suggest running the other direction. The only thing that works at all is used by the power companies. Maybe you can get them to help. If there is going to be Kudzu on ajoining property you are going to have a fight that you won't win. Been at it 15 years and ready to move.
Reply:Do goats eat kudzu? Just curious-- the best lawn mowers are sheep-- so I wondered. The stuff is truly invasive. Perhaps they can make eco-fuel out of it-- be about the only good I've heard about!


good luck
Reply:It's gonna die soon anyway, because of cold weather, but, your local co-op can tell you what to use...

shoe lasts

How can I get a Kudzu vine to bloom?

In have Kudzu growing on my chain link fence but it never blooms. I live in South Florida. One of those odd balls that like this obnoxious vine.

How can I get a Kudzu vine to bloom?
I don't know how you can make it bloom, unless you try making sure it gets lots of sun and giving it bloom-boosting fertilizer, but I know it only blooms for a short time. In GA, that's in August, but it might be sooner in S. FL.
Reply:I've never actually wanted it to bloom, just wanted it to die. If you don't kill it soon, it will consume everything in your yard and your neighbors yard. Good Luck Report It



How do I get kudzu to start growing up the hill next to my house?

I just moved into a house with a ugly dirt hill going straight up on the side of it. I worry about erosion with large trees near the edge (don't need a caved in roof) and a ugly yard. With alot of kudzu growing wild around here, thought I could get some started to cover the ugliness and help the erosion. Do I just cut some of it off and stick it in the ground, or do I need to dig it up at the root? Do I start it at the bottom of the hill or at the top?

How do I get kudzu to start growing up the hill next to my house?
Please take this and Pobept's advice,,,DON'T





Not only will it take over the hill, but everything else, if unchecked. besides that it emits a really offensive smell.





I live in central FL, and pull out all the Kudzu I see, as well as asparagus fern etc.





There are so many other vine type plants you might actually plant, but I almost promise they will become as out of control,,,IE: "Potato Vine"





By the way,,KUDZU will never gain a strong enough ROOT system to help much with erosion. It's roots may be as strong as the weed is prolific, but they are basically FINE, grow close to the surface, and spread to great distances.





Without knowing the height of the hill, its grade, closeness to your house, your location, your weather, I'd still suggest some other ground cover. There are many conifers,(evergreens). I like some varieties of Juniper, that creep, spread, and cover ugly. Their root systems will eventually be far more substantial, they won't take over the world you live in, and they don't look so bad once established. They may not grow or spread as rapidly as weeds, and it may take multiple plantings, depending on budget, to achieve an effect that pleases you, but in the long run, you won't be contributing to an increase in noxious, usually unwanted, plant life.





Rev. Steven
Reply:Seriously, Don't do it!! It will take over everything and continue into your neighbors yard. I have it in my backyard and have been fighting it for years. Report It

Reply:Best to start with the root, but why not plant a vine like morning glory that at least has flowers.
Reply:Planting kudzu will get you busted in Illinios, Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee, and possibly other states as well.
Reply:I promise you this.. if you plant kudzu, you will be cursing yourself for doing so!! Kudzu is an invasive weed. It takes over when it is planted and it is very hard to get rid of once you have it!





Try planting another groundcover that isn't so aggressive. Maybe something like Vinca or Ivy or even a grass, but not kudzu!! It will not only cover the slope, but it will cover the trees, cover your roof, cover your yard, if you stand there long enough it will cover you too!!!





Check these out:


http://www.alabamatv.org/kudzu/


http://www.yahoolavista.com/kudzu/


http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plant...
Reply:kudzu is a bad choice
Reply:First check with the agriculture office in your area. Kudzu grows like crazy and may be considered a nuisance in your area. Whatever you plant, get a plant with roots. I'd plant a few of them all over the hill, not just the bottom. Clover is nice too. :)
Reply:eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek


don't do it, Don't Do It, DON"T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!


that stuff will take over the place in a few years!


KILL IT NOW, DON'T WAIT, KILL IT NOW
Reply:you are a brave soul.





the kudzu really will help erosion - but If you live south enough that there isn't a hard freeze in winter, it will eat (cover) anything that doesn't move rapidly. Older cats and dogs are at risk. ; )





Just cut off a few pieces, stick them in the ground. a little water.


personally, if i had the guts to do this. i would put in a piece 8 to 12 inches long, every 15 inches or so, up and down the hill, across Right and left. I THINK starting at the top makes more sense, but i am really not sure about that. reading about erosion control might give you info on that.





Kudzu was brought to the US from Japan for erosion control, but it has no natural enemies. Only a hard freeze.





After your erosion is controlled, and the kudzu keeps growing, you might like to know that kudzu can be woven into baskets. Some parts of it are even edible.








http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion_con...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu
Reply:Use something else or it will takeover everything.
Reply:There are other groundcovers that are better than kudzu. Go to your local nursery or look online for nurseries that sell groundcover. Kudzu needs to be discouraged.
Reply:I would advise not to use Kudzu. Usually if you see ANYTHING growing in an area in abundance...there is a reason. Here in NC it has taken over everything!!! And most people consider it a noxious weed, once you get it growing it will keep growing and is HARD to get rid of! I have a problem similar to yours and I am going with creeping Juniper. If your spot is sunny try that, Morning Glories, Moon Flowers, or Clematis. If the spot is shady try English Ivy.
Reply:Just toss some pieces there. Should take root--kudzu is NOT HARD to grow! It might help to get a piece of root, but you won't get a whole one--kudzu can have giant tubers the size of a small car.
Reply:The name kinda reminds me of a cow for some reason....


Is it possible to grow kudzu indoors in pots?

I think kudzu is a fascinating plant and would like to grow it next spring as a hanging plant. How do I get it started in a pot? I tried several times this past year, and managed to kill it every time. Forget about the stories -- kudzu is NOT easy to propagate!! Anyone know anything specific about how this plant works? Also, Can I keep it in pots/planters and bring it in for cold weather, or does it have to die down in the fall?

Is it possible to grow kudzu indoors in pots?
if you have no luck growing Kudzu you gotta brown thumb - you do need to keep the soil moist tho and it likes filtered sun not direct ( the young plants start in shaded areas only when older can they take sun )





oh yea you need a runner with a 'node' on it to propagate ( you won't have a lot of luck just using a random piece ) that is how it spreads in the wild and why it is so invasive it rarely propergates with seed
Reply:Not sure, but Kudzu grows in a moist and warm enviroment. It doesn't germinate correctly in a cold enviroment.
Reply:It might be easier to grow pot in a kudzu.......!