The Way to Eradicate Star-of-Bethlehem Plants

Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), a continuing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, is considered an invasive weed which needs to be taken away as soon as possible after discovery. All parts of the plant are toxic, although it features white, star-shaped petals that bloom in spring. Star-of-Bethlehem spreads through underground bulbs that can each easily create seven bulbs.

Identification

The star-shaped flowers are for identifying star-of-Bethlehem when in bloom, a dead giveaway, but the flowering period is short. A member of the lily family, you will notice that the flowers have a comparable, vaguely trumpet shape as do other flowers within the household, together with six petals surrounding a round, somewhat protruding center. The leaves are rather straight and lean, closely resembling those of onions (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum) but with no strong smell related to these plants. They develop in clumps with several bulbs clinging. Look to emerge after the last frost. The flowers produce seed, so the means of reproduction is through bulb development.

Herbicides

Response to chemical management methods is limited with star-of-Bethlehem. Compounds like 2,4-D and glyphosate will destroy the foliage above ground, but the bulbs remain active under the dirt and will sprout new plants. Herbicides with 44 percent of the compound paraquat — marketed under brand names — demonstrate around 90 percent effectiveness in. The bulbs left behind continue to multiply, which makes it hard to eliminate the problem. This choice is much more sensible than removal procedures once the star-of-Bethlehem problem is severe and disperse over high acreage.

Manual Removal

Plants that are persistent need manual pruning to eradicate the problem. Laborious and although tedious, hand digging has proven to be the best method for eliminating star-of-Bethlehem. If you have loose dirt, then you can normally pull the clumps out. Compacted soil like clay dirt may require use of a scoop eliminate the bulbs and to break through the ground. The bulbs are typically found within the upper 3 to 4 inches of the soil. An choice is to dig down 4 inches deep using a digging spade around the patch that is star-of-Bethlehem. Scrape beneath the bulbs using a shovel, using the cuts. Irrespective of the removal option, it helps to sift through the dirt to search for any bulbs that are solitary.

Disposal

Most garden waste could be added to a compost bin in which it breaks into healthful plant foods, but these invasive bulbs may pop up from the compost. The bulbs store water and carbohydrates, so they do not expire as fast as plant foliage. Them may dry out to dry them, however, the best bet of is to eliminate them at a materials waste bin. Let the bulbs to dry for many days to decrease the risk of them popping up in your neighborhood’s green waste disposal program. Do not simply throw the bulbs that are fresh at a field, forest or vacant corner of your garden or you will get an invasion very quickly.

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