How to get rid of dodder parasite?

Has anyone ever heard of the parasitic plant commonly called Dodder or ever had to deal with it? It has no leaves or roots, and literally "sniffs" out its host plant...grows almost anywhere on both wild and cultivated plants. It took over my Wave petunia baskets last year and was a real nightmare to deal with. I've never seen it in my yard before (Zone 4 - Wisconsin USA), and I hope I don't have any seeds lying dormant ready to sprout again this growing season. Here's a link to the University of Colorado site if you'd like more information: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/TRA/dodder.html

Be forewarned about this one.

 

Oh my GOSH!
What hideous alien planet did that horrible stuff come from?!?

 

That is NASTY! Gee kaseylib, I hope you were able to destroy those things in your garden! Thanks for the warning.

 

I never really did get rid of it in my hanging baskets. When you try to pull it out, it breaks apart; and seeing as it doesn't set roots, you can't be sure you'll get the entire plant.

Like I said, I had never had this in my garden before. I'm assuming a bird planted it. It sounds like the best prevention is to use a preemergent that will prevent the seeds from germinating. I'll be sure to do this in all neighboring planting beds this spring.

 

What on earth?!?!? Is it native to somewhere else? I'll add it to my list of evil plants to watch for- scotch broom, tansy, nightshade, etc.

 

Thanks for the heads-up. That is one ugly 'thingy'

 

Dodder

I have had to deal with this one, very annoying an persistant. It is a parasite that needs a host plant to survive. It has no root system so just pulling it up won't work completely. You will have to cut any plant material it is attached to down. If you can catch it before it goes to seed you will have better success. The seeds are the same size an appearance of onion or leek seeds. This can take a couple years to rid it completely, perhaps longer if you have a LOT of it.

Once you remove ANY of it it should be bagged, an burned. You will need to keep a close eye on any new growth once its been cut down an try to remove any pieces you see. If left alone it will take over. Even if you are in a drought, once it gets regularly waterings it will be back. The seeds lay dormant for some time. Always cut below the last point of attachment to the host plant. Hope this makes sense.

 

Thanks for the tips, Trudy. I plan to use a pre-emergent this spring and will keep my fingers crossed!

 

your welcome

glad to help ya out there.

 

I was afraid as soon as you said predator. I don't like creepy things at all. The parasitcal plant is ugly. I usually lose the battle of the weeds and hope not to run into such a tenacious advasary as this one. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I'm scared to even go look at it!

 

Hope my japanese beetle eat it .

Then I will kill the beetles.

 

Re: Dodder

Hi, Do this really help? Thank you very much for the post,I have very bad experience with the same. .