Fight giant hogweed (Hercules perennial)

Unfortunately, it can become very uncomfortable for humans at the slightest contact. Therefore, the giant Bärenklau should be fought, which is not easy and can take time. There are some important tips to keep in mind when fighting:

Fight Giant Bear Claw

1. The Giant Bear Claw (Heracleum mantegazzianum) originally only grew in the Caucasus, but was already used in the 19th century. Introduced to the European part of Eurasia in the 19th century. The imposing perennial is not welcomed here, it not only threatens people, but also the native flora and fauna by displacing native plants and causing considerable erosion damage on the banks of water bodies caused.
2. People should beware of any contact with the huge umbel, the sap of all parts of the plant contains furanocoumarins. These are photosensitizing substances that sometimes cause severe, burn-like damage to the skin that heals poorly Skin cause when skin is exposed to normal UV radiation from sunlight after contact with the plant becomes. For sensitive people and children, even a longer stay next to the plant can be sufficient, UV light can trigger the harmful effects even days later. The phototoxic substances develop their greatest effectiveness when the UV radiation occurs 30 minutes to 2 hours after contact with the plant, the symptoms appear after about 24 hours.

 Health Risks and Precautions

• Therefore applies to all people who actively participate in the fight against the giant Bärenklau: A complete protective outfit is mandatory, full clothing made of thick and strong fabric, gloves and goggles that also cover the eye area laterally protects. The work should be carried out when the sky is overcast or in the evening, as the UV radiation is lower at these times. They should not be electrically powered brush cutter (brush cutters, lawn trimmers) because with these devices there is a very high risk that plant sap will be sprayed.
• If sap gets on skin, it should be washed off immediately with soap and water. Depending on the size of the affected skin area, you should consult a doctor as a precaution. In any case, the affected areas must not be exposed to sunlight for at least 72 hours. You must continuously protect these areas with sunscreen for the next few months.
• The Hercules perennial is therefore spreading more and more because it is capable of growing an incredible number form floating seeds, up to 50,000 pieces, which then last up to ten years remain viable.
• The Fighting the Hercules shrub should therefore be planned well: In order to get the unpleasant growth under control, it usually has to be fought consistently for several years in a row. Because if a few seeds are forgotten in an area that has already been assumed to be liberated, the giant perennial soon celebrates its resurrection happily. It is recommended to fight even smaller stocks immediately. They usually spread the fastest, but can be pushed back from the outside inwards if you react quickly. Consistent use can even clear heavily infested areas, you just have to keep at it for several years. The annual follow-up checks in spring are particularly important, which is why you should note the individual plants on a card. Also, the affected soil should be densely planted with vigorous, assertive plants so that the seeds waiting in the soil never get enough light to germinate.

How to take effective action against Bärenklau

The most important and most promising way of combating it is to cut off the vegetation cone. This is best done in the spring up to around mid-May, when the plants are still low and fighting without skin contact is easier. The giant hogweed has a root in the classic turnip shape, from which you have to cut the top 15 to 20 cm underground to kill the plant. This upper vegetation cone is then discarded in the garbage, the root base rots in the ground. Detaching works well with a sharp, narrow spade, maybe with a pickaxe, but here the sap can quickly splatter all over the place! If offspring appear, this strategy can be repeated until October, which also makes work easier next spring.

With large plants that are overlooked in spring, it becomes difficult to root out. It is worthwhile, especially when the inflorescences are so far developed that cutting off the upper leaf mass would inevitably disperse the seeds It is worth considering whether the upper part of the perennial should be "dropped" onto an old tarpaulin, which is then packed up from the sides to form a package and disposed of becomes.

Against the Hercules tree can Herbicides (weed killers) used with a systemic effect. With these remedies, the active ingredient is absorbed through the leaves and then carried to the root. The giant hogweed is best chemically treated when it is between half a meter and a meter tall, from the beginning of June it is usually too tall (this Leaf masses could no longer be killed by the weed killer), it would then first have to be cut off (taking all the precautions mentioned above into account). become.

Final Tips

But just cutting off is never enough to fight the giant Bärenklau. Because the roots remain in the ground, the assertive perennial is even capable of forming mostly unnoticed emergency flowers, which then also ensure propagation.

A campaign against the Hercules shrub should not be carried out alone if possible. Contact your local plant protection office: in many communities the state road construction offices are already in place fighting hogweed, these organizations also have other pesticides at their disposal Disposal. You may agree on a combined approach with the contractors in the municipality.

Characteristics

Type/Family: wild perennial. Belongs to the acanthus or bear claw family (Acanthacea)

Maintenance effort: Small amount

heyday: July to September with 60-70 long, upright racemes of white, violet or pink flowers with pink caps. Buds are also pink. Flowers are reminiscent of lupins

foliage: Large, up to 35 cm long, deeply cut, spiky, dark green, partly white-edged leaves with high ornamental value. Reminds me a little of thistle leaves

Growth: Bushy, upright strong growth with runners

Height/Width: 90 to 100 cm high, 60 to 75 cm wide

Location: Sunny to semi-shady warm. Light and well-drained, but moist normal garden soil that should not be too nutritious

planting time: Anytime as long as the ground isn't frozen. Can be sown directly outdoors in spring

Cut: Cut back to the ground in spring

Partner: wild perennials

propagation: Divide in the spring or propagate with root cuttings, they will not flower until the following year

Care: Water if dry. Fertilizer not necessary

Wintering: Grateful for winter protection of the rootstock in harsh areas. Container plants are more sensitive to cold than planted specimens

particularities

• Comes from the Balkan Peninsula, but is now native to us and can often be found wild on the edges of forests
• Is also suitable for the bucket
• Leaves were immortalized on stone pillars by the ancient Greeks
• Very poisonus
• Good bee pasture
• Inflorescences can be cut well for the vase; stable and long lasting. Also beautiful as dried flowers

species

• Thorny Acanthus (Acanthus spinosissimus)
• Conspicuous prickly green foliage edged with white
• Spiny Acanthus (Acanthus spinosus)
• Height 90-100cn, width 60-75cm. Blooms in white or purple from mid to late summer

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