Q.
I have two large Mesquite trees in my yard and both drop a huge quantities of
seed pods annually. I have heard that
Mesquites can be sprayed with the same chemical used on Olive trees to prevent
them from setting fruit, does this material work on Mesquite trees? If so, what is the optimal time of year to
spray, what is the name of the spray and can I purchase it at my local nursery?
I have two large Mesquite trees in my yard and both drop a huge quantities of
seed pods annually. I have heard that
Mesquites can be sprayed with the same chemical used on Olive trees to prevent
them from setting fruit, does this material work on Mesquite trees? If so, what is the optimal time of year to
spray, what is the name of the spray and can I purchase it at my local nursery?
A.
Theoretically you can. The problem is two-fold. Technically the chemical to be used
falls under the label requirements for a pesticide even though it really
doesn’t kill a pest. Because it is categorized as a pesticide, it falls under
the legalities of pesticide use.
Theoretically you can. The problem is two-fold. Technically the chemical to be used
falls under the label requirements for a pesticide even though it really
doesn’t kill a pest. Because it is categorized as a pesticide, it falls under
the legalities of pesticide use.
If mesquite trees and the purpose of preventing
seed pod formation are not on the label, no one can legally recommend it for
that use or it violates federal law.
seed pod formation are not on the label, no one can legally recommend it for
that use or it violates federal law.
Secondly, to prevent pod formation from
the flowers you would need to know the right timing and the right dosage to get
results. Neither appear on the label to my knowledge. If someone were to
attempt to control the pods, that person would have to “guestimate”
what the right concentration would be (how many tbs or teaspoons per gallon for
instance) and the right stage in flower and pod formation to make the
application.
the flowers you would need to know the right timing and the right dosage to get
results. Neither appear on the label to my knowledge. If someone were to
attempt to control the pods, that person would have to “guestimate”
what the right concentration would be (how many tbs or teaspoons per gallon for
instance) and the right stage in flower and pod formation to make the
application.
Some of these chemicals have to be
applied only when the flowers are open. Since the flowers don’t all open at the
same time, the tree would have to be sprayed multiple times.
applied only when the flowers are open. Since the flowers don’t all open at the
same time, the tree would have to be sprayed multiple times.
Some types of chemicals that cause
flower drop, or prevent pod or fruit formation, have to actually land inside the
flowers to cause the flower, pod or fruit to abort. Other chemicals can be
sprayed before flowering, taken up by the plant and systemically moved around inside
the tree where it can cause the flower to abort.
flower drop, or prevent pod or fruit formation, have to actually land inside the
flowers to cause the flower, pod or fruit to abort. Other chemicals can be
sprayed before flowering, taken up by the plant and systemically moved around inside
the tree where it can cause the flower to abort.
So even if I was legally permitted to
tell you to try it, I would not know what concentration to use unless it is
stated on the label. The timing of the spray is pretty straight forward. The
label would tell you to spray when the flowers are open or at some other time
before or during flower development.
tell you to try it, I would not know what concentration to use unless it is
stated on the label. The timing of the spray is pretty straight forward. The
label would tell you to spray when the flowers are open or at some other time
before or during flower development.
You should be aware that some of these
products can damage or even kill other plants if this type of spray were to
land on them. So theoretically it will probably work if you knew the right
dosage and time of application but I am not recommending it.
products can damage or even kill other plants if this type of spray were to
land on them. So theoretically it will probably work if you knew the right
dosage and time of application but I am not recommending it.
Smoooooothe! 🙂
Nasty pods?!!!! How do they taste? Sweet and tasty? Lucky you! Consider harvesting those nasty pods.
http://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-to-cook-up-your-mesquite-beans.html
http://www.desertharvesters.org/mesquite-in-the-kitchen/eat-mesquite-cookbook/
So is there a way to stop the blooming process naturally? My front yard has a Mesquite tree and a Palm tree, so for six month out of the year my yard is a mess. First the Mesquite drops a yellow corn meal looking flowers which blanket the yard. Then the Mesquite seed pods bloom and fall, a blanket of crunchy mess stuck to you shoes. All this is followed by the Palm seeds falling everywhere and continue to fall until the tree is trimmed. So from January to mid-July I'm under siege, the plants are taking over, any suggestions?
The only "natural" way is to prune out the flowers or flowering stems as they develop. That's it. Many sprays mimic natural chemicals produced by plants but to my knowledge will not work on palms. Once the plants reach sexual maturity they will reproduce.
Florel