How to get rid of Mexican petunias?

Question

I have a bed that they are taking over. I have tried each spring to dig them up .They come back even worse than before. I don't want to dig them up or use Round Up.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The only other way is to try and smothering them with heavy black playtic or a lot of newspaper.However I do not know if it will be enough without using chemicals. If there is nothing else around that flower bed you can try the vinegar,water,salt and dish soap.

Judith · Answer

One of the natives in our area said that her grandmother used boiling water. You would have to make sure that you poured it on only the plants you wish to eradicate. The plastic layer sounds like a safer plan!

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

The seeds can lay dormant for years! So using black plastic to cover and to cook the soil until spring. Then if you are going to plant plants then use cornmeal or the commercial PREEN to kill off any weed seeds that may have not been destroyed. good luck

Charly · Answer

Unfortunately, the Mexican Petunia is a very invasive species and they are almost impossible to get rid of.  You have to cut back the flowers once they are spent to stop them from reseeding.  Pull out each stem gently but firmly to release the roots from the soil.  Or you can cut each stem down to the ground and spray glyphosate onto each stem.  This is a Systemic plant killer which means it will travel down the stem into the roots and kill the plants.  Be careful that you don't spray it on any surrounding plants as it will kill them also.  Mexican petunias are as invasive and hard to get rid of as Morning glories.  It can be done but you have to keep at it.  Good luck.

IFortuna · Answer

LOL People pay good money to have these.  I would love to have these or Morning Glories in my yard.  I had MG in California and they completely covered a pergola in front of the cottage making a nice secluded spot to read, have lunch or dinner.   : )
Maybe you could put them to good use in this way. : )

Charly · Answer

Most people don't know what they're doing when they purposely plant either of these plants.  They don't know just how invasive they can be.  All they picture in their mind's eye is this pretty little vine with pretty little flowers on it.  Trust me I know, because I was one of those people.  I will never plant morning glories again!

Kid · Answer

Preen and or corn gluten does not kill seeds it emits a chemical that prevents seeds from germinating its called allelopathy Sunflower seeds do the same thing.

How to get rid of Mexican petunias?

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How to get rid of Mexican petunias?

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