Ivy

[Billhook]

If you've cut all the ground stems to the ivy it will eventually die back. Can take a while, but it should get there in the end. (The little rootlets higher up can keep it going for a while, but won't provide enough nutrients in the end - on trees anyway. I'd guess it would be the same on brick?).

 

 

Mmmmmm, two years later and it is looking better than ever!

 

I feel that I need something to break down the waxy layer so that systemic herbicides can work. Wetters we use on the farm are more for sticking the chemical to the plant so I was wondering if I mix some washing up liquid with the roundup it may break through.

Anyone tried it?

[sandspider]

Hmm. Mine was dead after 6 months or so! Maybe they can get enough nutrients from brick? You could try cutting a couple of stems then putting the cut stems into a pot of glyphosphate or similar - then it should take the weedkiller up into the whole plant and have more effect...

[Stereo]

Perhaps getting something from the mortar? I also think cut a bit more of the stem so it's fresh and get it into a pot of something.

[Billhook]

Perhaps getting something from the mortar? I also think cut a bit more of the stem so it's fresh and get it into a pot of something.

 

The mortar is definitely old and soft and lime and the bricks are sixteenth century and also porous.

 

I will try the stem cut method as it sounds like an easy plan. However if it is drawing nutrient from tendrils in the brickwork it will probably bypass the roundup.

The plant is huge now!

[Stereo]

Might be a ladder and a few days job then. Good luck.

[peatff]

I will try the stem cut method as it sounds like an easy plan. However if it is drawing nutrient from tendrils in the brickwork it will probably bypass the roundup.

The plant is huge now!

 

Ivy puts out adventitious roots, tendrils are only points of attachment. We had some in a wall between out house and next door and cut it off at ground level but had to scrape it off the wall to get rid of it completely.

[Fredward]

I like the idea of a fresh cut at the stem, prise a little of the stem/s off of the wall and into a jar/bucket of water/roundup. Surely thats got to work!

[Billhook]

I like the idea of a fresh cut at the stem, prise a little of the stem/s off of the wall and into a jar/bucket of water/roundup. Surely thats got to work!

 

I think I will have to wait for the Spring when the sap is more active