Thistles.

[Cnwch]

I have a field that's intended for a late cut of silage. Unfortunately, there seems to be quite a lot of creeping thistle coming up in places. Do I "top" them, and hope that there wont be too many in the silage? Do I spray them and hope that they die back before I take a cut (in about 6 weeks), or can I "top" them now and spray what is left (approx the bottom three inches).
Your advice please,
Many thanks,
Cnwch.

 

[Exfarmer]

Spray now, but check the harvest interval.
Topping will remove your target

 

[milkloss]

I’d spray but do not use mcpa as it will severely check the grass growth. Use thistlex and the grass won’t know it’s been sprayed.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Spray

 

[neilo]

Spray now with Thistlex and forget about them. Harvest interval is on the label, which is 3 weeks iirc.

 

[Oat]

If they are creeping thistle, then unless you cut them at exactly the right time, they will just regrow and possibly grow even more above ground parts
With spear thistles, it is much easier to get rid of them by cutting

 

[Pond digger]

If they are creeping thistle, then unless you cut them at exactly the right time, they will just regrow and possibly grow even more above ground parts
With spear thistles, it is much easier to get rid of them by cutting

What is “exactly the right time”? I just assumed they couldn’t be killed by cutting.

 

[multi power]

What is “exactly the right time”? I just assumed they couldn’t be killed by cutting.

Cut thistles in July
Spear thistles are easy to kill, creeping are not so easy

 

[Oat]

What is “exactly the right time”? I just assumed they couldn’t be killed by cutting.

I think it is related to when they are actively growing and putting the most energy into above ground growing, and less into the roots. I seem to vaguely remember it is when they are starting to flower.
But as others have said, the best/easiest control will be from spraying them

 

[deleted user 837354]

Spray them, don't fudge about. Cutting them first is only useful if they have advanced beyond the target growth stage, meaning you will have to wait for them to regrow again.

If using ThistleX make sure plenty of water volume is used.

 

[neilo]

If topping could do anything more than a cosmetic job on creeping thistles, organic farms would have a chance of controlling them.

 

[deleted user 837354]

If topping could do anything more than a cosmetic job on creeping thistles, organic farms would have a chance of controlling them.

I think if you cut sow thistles enough they seem to give up, but spear or creeping thistles I'm sure it is only cosmetic.

 

[tepapa]

I think if you cut sow thistles enough they seem to give up, but spear or creeping thistles I'm sure it is only cosmetic.

Spear thistles are biannual so will die if cut at right time, too early and they will regrow.
Creeping thistles are annual and will spread by rhizomes if cut.

 

[caveman]

What is “exactly the right time”? I just assumed they couldn’t be killed by cutting.

Cut a thistle in May. It's money thrown away.
Cut a thistle in June. It's still cut too soon.
Cut a thistle in July. It's sure to die.