Sodium chlorate idiocy

Having cut down an unruly and unwanted pampas grass to a stump" about two feet high and at least that across, I thought it a good idea to pour half a watering can of sodium chlorate solution onto it.

Two of the various bushes growing with a couple of feet of it have now died. I put this at first down to the late frosts, but I think in fact I've just been incredubly stupid, in not realising that the weedkiller would penetrate through the pampas stump and into the soil, affecting any roots it encountered. At least, that's what I think has happened; what does the panel think?

I said I was a novice.

I should add that I did this last month, before the use of sodium cholrate became illegal (which it did on 10th May, as I understand it) ...

Cheers
Richard

 

Hi Richard

Half a watering can = about 5 litres and I would have expected the root ball of a big pampas grass to have absorbed most of that. So I'm just a wee bit doubtful that the sodium chlorate could cause so much collateral damage to other, well established shrubs.

But, you're right - it could be the cause and so I think your best option is to search on line for information about how long sodium chlorate remains effective in the soil. Then you'll need to wait before replanting and for good measure, I would add as much new soil and compost as possible to the affected area.

 

Thanks - I'd already done that, and the answers seem to vary from 6 months, to significantly longer. I don't have any immediate need to plant anything there. Possibly you're right though, and it was the frost. There are certainly other growing things equally as close, that don't seem to have been affected, including a young Japanese Maple that I didn't even know I had, until I cut the pampas down.

Cheers
Richard

 

to get rid of your pampas stump which will sprout again, use amonium sulphate into holes drilled in the top, then plug with plastercine

 

I'll have to try something, as it survived the sodium chlorate:cnfs:

Cheers
Richard

 

I used glyphosate on mine when I wanted rid of it. I cut it right down and sprayed down the wee holes.

 

I dug one out once before. That's why I was trying an alternative solution this time :wink:

 

Yes. My neighbour has been on a course, but has no digger ;-) I do have a considerable amount of landscaping that needs to be done, out the front.

If I hired one myself I'd probably end up careering out into the road on it, and get mown down by a tractor. Actually I do know someone who knows someone with a tractor, though I'm sort of keeping him in reserve for the Leylandii ... and he'll want paying.

Cheers
Richard