Pasting the stems of Moth Plants vines with Cut’n’Paste MetGel (metsulfuron based gel) can have the effect of killing the vines and reducing the viability of the seeds in the developing seed pods.
When you can’t reach the pods or you don’t have the time, another way to make sure that the plant is killed and the pods rendered less effective – is to cut and paste. Or perhaps you don’t have the time to do the job of collecting all the pods but you have your MetGel on hand. While we don’t recommend leaving the pods, if the Moth Plant is treated with MetGel, the reduction in seed germination from pods later collected appears to be significant. 50mm of stem near the ground was wiped with gel – the pods with the stem treated right next to it had no seeds germinate.
Trialled by several, the results can vary depending on the maturity of the pods but a noticeable reduction can be achieved in seed viability. Scraping some of the bark off the vine helps the gel to penetrate into the plant’s vascular system and this is easily done with any edged material or blade.
Below is some research from Northland Regional Council on MetGel . Very useful if you can’t get to the pods and want to make sure there’s no viable see set.
Kia ora Andy,
Been doing some trials on MetGel and seed viability of Moth Plant. I treated some Moth Plant with MetGel last autumn and the reduction in seed germination from pods later collected was significant. The pods with the stem treated right next to it had no seeds germinate. (40% germination from the control) We will repeat the trial next autumn focussing on how much stem to treat and when. This will give us some certainty around what to tell people who have pods too high to reach. We already know that no matter when you cut it off at ground level the seeds will in the pods will mature and be viable – albeit not too many if it is done when the pods are small.
The attached photos are of a moth plant treated 2 weeks ago 31/10/2023 with 50mm of stem near the ground gelled.
The second photo taken today 16/11/2023 and it is already showing signs of demise. The arum lily was also gelled on the stems.
Cut’n’Paste and Project DeVine. We sponsor Project Devine with generous discounts to suppor their amazing weed control efforts in Golden Bay Area and Takaka
