Dandelion

Hypochoeris radicata

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DESCRIPTION

They are all like dandelion-style weeds, growing from a fairly flat rosette and producing yellow flowers on erect stems. So it’s not surprising that they are regularly confused with each other.

Has sparingly branched and leafless flower stems, and hairy bristles on the leaves, the ends of which do look very like a cat’s ear.

This are referred to a ‘flat weed’, and is distributed throughout New Zealand. The preferred habitat is many, and this weed appears regularly in pastures, lawns, turf and sports grounds, as well as roadsides and waste areas.   Because this weed is flat in its vegetative stage, it tends to survive mowing, which makes it a particular problem in sports and recreational fields.

In pasture, this weed is not usually a serious problem, unless it begins to dominate, in which case it points to a run down pasture that needs to be sprayed out and re-sown. 

HERBICIDES TO CONTROL DANDELIONS

This weed is susceptible to most common general-purpose herbicides, but their selective control is difficult without causing clover damage.  

Non-selective herbicides to kill Dandelions

• Granny Herbicide granulated glyphosate at 1.3-2.2kg/Ha, or 
• G-360 GLYPHOSATE at 3-5L/Ha, or 
• G-540 GLYPHOSATE at 2.4-4L/Ha 
• GA200 (glufosinate ammonium) at 3-5L/ha or 50-75ml/10L through cone nozzles. This is especially useful to control dandelion in orchards or vineyards.

for spraying out infested pasture. Use the higher rate where there are a lot of flat weeds present.

Herbicides for Selective Control of Dandelion in Pasture

• GrassMate at 2L/Ha for area spraying, or at 60ml/10L for spot spraying. Note: this spray will severely damage clovers.
• Rainbow & Brown MCPA750 at 2-3L in 200-300L water per Ha for control of seedling flat weeds in pasture and young turf. This spray may cause some temporary clover suppression.  
• Dicamba 500 Select - 100ml plus 260ml Rainbow & Brown MCPA750 in 100L water per hectare. Dicamba 500 Select - 120-140ml plus 535ml WHACK – 2,4-D 800 per 100L water per hectare.
• Ralid at 1L/Ha area spraying, 100ml/100L high volume spot spraying or 25ml/10L knapsack. Note: this spray will severely damage clovers.
• WHACK – 2,4-D 800 this needs to be applied at 45g/10L covering an area between 250m² to just over 300m²

In all cases better control will result from the addition of SprayWetter penetrant to the spray mix at 100-200ml per 100L water.

Herbicides to Selectively Kill Dandelion in Lawn or Turf

• GrassMate at 20ml/100m2 for area spraying, or at 6ml/1L for spot spraying. Note: this spray will severely damage clovers.
• Rainbow & Brown MCPA750 at 20ml per 10L water applied over an area of 100m2 for control of seedling flat weeds in pasture and young turf. This spray may cause some temporary clover suppression.  
• Dicamba 500 Select - 5ml plus 13ml Rainbow & Brown MCPA750 in 10L water applied over 500m2. 
• Dicamba 500 Select - 5ml plus 30ml of WHACK – 2,4-D 800 per 10L water applied over 500m2.
• Cut'n'Paste Original - just apply a small amount to the centre of the dandelions you want to kill.