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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - January 05, 2008
From: austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Use of surfactants with herbicide for water
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I read the article on frogs and the use of Rodeo. Your answer was correct, but to the best of my knowledge, Rodeo is approved for use near water only because it lacks a surfactant. When surfactant is added, the chemical has been altered and is no longer for use near water. Is this correct, also?ANSWER:
In our previous answer we discussed the dangers of herbicides to amphibians because of the way they absorb their oxygen through the skin. On this Midwest Aqua Care website, instructions for the use of Rodeo Herbicide/Shore Klear for aquatic plants are to mix the product with water and a non-ionic surfactant. The article goes on to say "Water use restrictions: None." At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, we are specialists in plants native to North America, and are not chemists. It would appear that the manufacturer of this product is claiming there is no problem with using their herbicide on water with a non-ionic surfactant mixed in. Beyond that, we don't know the answer to your question.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Yellow bands around edges of leaves in Whitney TX
July 20, 2009 - How can you tell whether esperanzas are getting too much water or not enough - ours have a small yellow band around the edges of the leaves - crape myrtles - same question
view the full question and answer
Changing bloom color from Tulsa OK
June 27, 2011 - How do you change the bloom color?
view the full question and answer
Reason for tree canopy dieback from Mahopac NY
May 21, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Not a questions, just sharing, re person in Texas whose Ash Jupiter appeared to be dying "canopy very thin on top". We moved to Putnam Co. NY in 1970. Our house was shaded by...
view the full question and answer
How to treat bark damage on oak tree
November 15, 2011 - I have an oak tree approx. 50 ft., live in austin, texas. the tree has dropped bark about 3-4 ft above ground, in a section of 4 inches by 8 inches, and the tree appears dark where the bark was. is ...
view the full question and answer
Care and fruiting time of pumpkins
October 06, 2007 - This is my first year growing pumpkin. I have a good vine with flowers now & then, but I still don't see a little pumpkin forming. What am I doing wrong?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |