onions in st. augustine

[melanieb3]

I have wild onions in my st. augustine. I was told by Green resources to use Speed zone, and they told me to mix 1.5 ounces in a 5 gallon sprayer and it would take up to 2 weeks to kill it all. Is this gonna work? A fiend of mine told me that he mixes 4 ounces in his 5 gallon sprayer....Now I'm wondering if I used enough speed zone to kill the onions...hmm...

[Smallaxe]

More is not better.
I would talk with somebody at Lescos or similar reputable dealer.
2 different friends saying 2 different things, kind of sounds like this forum.

[RAlmaroad]

I used to own property on Ocean Isle Beach--Know Shallotte well. Which Speedzone did you use. You should used the Southern Speedzone (Red I think). I'm not totally sure that ANY of the Speedzones are really safe for Warm Season Grasses. The Dicamba in them bother me. Too much and the grass is dead. St. Augustine is a little more tolerent to salts and 2-4D but I personally think it is iffy at best. I never use it for anything. Those wild onions are easily pulled unless you have an infestation or try a little Atrazine 4-L on them before April. Never had more than 2-3 onions in any lawns.

[melanieb3]

it is an infestation. I already sprayed. Green Resources is the store that sells to the lawn care companies around here and they told me Speed Zone... my husband did it, I don't think it was red though..not sure. I'll have to check... at any rate, I hope it doesn't kill my grass!

[hmartin]

Metsulfuron is waaaay better than any 2-4d based product like Speedzone for wild onions.

You need to spray onions in early to mid winter, or you will be seeing them again next year.

Spraying a high rate of a 2-4D based product like Speedzone will severly damage St. Augustine.

[scweedman]

Your are a little high on your rates but with the cold weather you should be fine if
he didn't spray to heavy. Next time go with 1 ounce per gallon

[melanieb3]

How is 1.5 ounces for 5 gallon higher than 1 ounce for one gallon?

That's why I was asking if since he only used 1.5 ounces for a 5 gallon sprayer, will it kill the onions and not hurt the St. Augustine?

[scweedman]

I read it wrong
You should use 1 ounce per gallon.
Your mix was weak and nothing will happen.
Step on the onion first then spray it.

[Hoots]

Speedzone GREEN label bottle is the correct one. It is labeled for St. Augustine. Check the label and go from there.

[melanieb3]

yeah so nothing happened. the bottle says to use .55-1.5 ounces of speed zone per 1,000 square feet and 1-5 gallons of spray per 1,000 square feet. Now, am I not correct that if you use 5 gallons per 1,000 square feet, then you should use 1.5 ounces of speedzone in that 5 gallons of spray???? Am I missing something..I will admit i'm not the brightest person in the world....maybe it's supposed to be 1 ounce for one gallon. Now I'm confused...by the way, the spray he used with only 1.5 ounces killed ONLY thistle....and NOTHING else.

[Think Green]

Melanie,
The onion has an oily sheath and water will bead on the surface. Did you or your husband use a sticking agent?
Yes, stepping on the onion or cutting the grass before will sever the onion blade and allow the chemical to enter the shoot to the root easier. It will take less to absorb the chemical that way. Works the same way with wild garlic too! A sticking agent will aid in the adhearing of 2-4D or Speedzone.
The sulfonylurea chems are pricey but do a good job too! What you got will work and will require another application. Try 1 oz. per gallon next time.