Invasive purslane
Question
How can I get rid of the purslane that has invaded our vegetable garden? Even two applications of herbicide have not destroyed this little succulent plant! The problem has been going on for at least two years.
Answer
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is an annual plant with succulent stems and leaves and insignificant flowers. It was introduced to Canada as a vegetable (the leaves are edible) before taking off and becoming a weed. Each plant produces up to a million seeds annually, and the seeds can live for decades. However, they require exposure to sunlight to germinate. Weeding brings the seeds to the surface and causes a new generation of purslane to grow. There can be several generations of this fast-growing plant each year.
To eliminate purslane, pull up and destroy the plants and cover the soil with at least 4 cm (1.5 inches) of mulch. Without light on the ground, the seeds cannot germinate. If you pull up a purslane plant that is already flowering or seeding, it is essential not to leave it on the ground: it can continue to disperse its seeds even when pulled up.
Maple tree under threat?
Question
My maple tree, which I planted about 15 years ago, lost a significant portion of its leaves a week ago. Is this due to drought?
Answer
Probably. Trees produce far more leaves than they need to survive. Leaves lose a lot of water through transpiration, so when water is scarce, trees protect themselves by shedding excess leaves.
A year of drought generally has no long-term consequences for well-established trees, so you don’t really need to take any action, especially during this period of water restrictions. However, next year, why not remove the grass around your tree (grass is a competitor that steals some of its water) and replace it with mulch, which, unlike grass, helps the soil retain more water? This will make your tree less prone to this problem in the years to come.
Please note: a tree that loses its leaves in large quantities may also be suffering from disease, parasites, or chronic water stress.
Larry Hodgson has published thousands of articles and 65 books during his career, in French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil on July 10, 2010.