Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - April 28, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Cacti and Succulents
Title: How can I eradicate 20 acres of cactus?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Cactus eradication. I have about 20 acres that are covered to the point that it is not safe to walk on the property. What can I do? Are there classes out there for eradication?ANSWER:
There are lots of plants that are called cactus (see previous answer), but when Mr. Smarty Plants sees the word eradication in conjunction with it, he thinks of the genus Opuntia Opuntia engelmannii (cactus apple).
Yours is not an easy task, and my first suggestion is to contact the folks at the Travis County office of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. They can put you in touch with people who have had experience with this problem.
I found a website for a person who invented an implement used for cactus eradication that is called the "Kactus kicker". The site contains information explaining why cactus eradication is such a problem.
Another website from the "Kactus Krusher" offers his services for cactus eradication using an implement similar to the "Kactus Kicker".
From the Image Gallery
More Cacti and Succulents Questions
Why has yucca not bloomed from Sacramento CA
May 03, 2012 - I looked for an answer to my question on your list but did not find one. We have had a yucca plant that has never bloomed since we planted it about 8 years ago. I has grown tall (6-7 feet) and we ha...
view the full question and answer
Problems with claret cup cactus in Austin
April 07, 2012 - I have a claret cup cactus in a terra-cotta pot that bloomed beautifully a few years ago but hasn't since. This year, it set about a dozen buds and looked poised to bloom like crazy, but two weeks la...
view the full question and answer
Potted crown of thorns cactus cold tolerance in Marble Falls, TX
December 02, 2009 - I have a large potted crown-of-thorns cactus. Can it remain outside this winter in the Texas Hill Country?
view the full question and answer
Repotting non-native Agave ghiesbreghtii from Spring TX
June 03, 2012 - I've recently purchased an Agave ghiesbreghtii, and will need to re-pot it soon.
I have some cactus soil mix as well as a few rocks to put in the bottom of its new pot. There seem to be roots comi...
view the full question and answer
Black fungus on cholla cactus from Austin
March 25, 2012 - How to get rid of black fungus on cholla cactus? Cut it off? And treat with what?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |