Killing liverwort is not an easy thing. This plant has a tendency to regrow.
However, in this article, I will show you step-by-step instruction on how to kill, and prevent liverwort from growing.
What is Liverwort?
Liverwort is a flowerless, spore-producing plant. This plant is distributed worldwide, mostly in the tropics. It grows flat on the ground or rocks or trees, because it doesn’t have the tissue that most plants have to carry water throughout the plant
Liverwort was named because it was thought to resemble a liver.
Liverworts do not have true leaves, stems, and roots as vascular plants. They have leaflike structure, stemlike structure, and rhizoids.
The leaves of leafy liverworts grow in two distinct rows, one row along each side of the stem, facing upward. They do not have a midrib.
Most liverworts are small, measuring from 2–20 millimeters (0.08–0.8 in) wide with individual plants less than 10 centimeters (4 in) long.
Liverworts can spread and propagate themselves with tiny sexually-produced spores and asexual propagules. The flat green leaf-like body of the liverwort spreads horizontally across the media surface by dividing into two branches at apical notches.
Why Does Liverwort Grow on Block Paving?
Liverwort like to grow on block paving, because it prefers environments like moist soil, and damp rocks.
Your block paving is an ideal place for a liverwort to thrive. This plant prefers high humidity, high nutrient levels (especially nitrogen and phosphorus), and high soil moisture. They grow even better in shaded areas.
Even if your block paving isn’t especially moist, some liverworts are adapted to dry, and hot environments.
They like to grow on rocks, so block paving, and high moisture is the best combination for them to thrive.
How to Get Rid of Liverwort on Block Paving?
Killing liverwort on block paving isn’t simple. Even if you use some chemical solution, it can regrow after some time. Because of that, here is the step-by-step effective method of getting rid of liverwort for good.
1. Apply Vinegar, Salt, and Dish Soap Solution
2. Hoe the Soil Surface
3. Apply Baking Soda into the Cracks
4. Use Polymeric Sand to Prevent Liverwort Growth
Before we begin, you should know that hand-pulling the weed is not recommended, because plant parts containing gemmae may break off and spread the weed.
1. Apply Vinegar Solution
The first thing that we need to do is to create conditions that reduce the chances of the spores germinating. To do that, we need to use a vinegar solution. Mix 0,5 gallon (1,8 liters) of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), 2 cups of table salt, and 1 tablespoon of concentrated dish soap. Pour the potion into a spray bottle, and spritz the liverwort surface deeply.
This method draws the moisture out of plants, causing them to die thanks to acetic acid. As a result, liverwort will turn yellow, or brown, and will die within 24-48 hours. Remember to use safety goggles, and gloves to prevent skin damage.
2. Hoe the Soil Surface (Optionally)
It’s not easy to hoe the surface on block paving. Sometimes it’s just impossible, so this step is optional.
Once the liverwort dies off, hoe the soil surface until it becomes friable and loose, to encourage it to dry out. Hoeing from time to time prevents liverwort from regrowing. If you can’t hoe, you can use mulch instead to keep liverwort at bay.
3. Apply Baking Soda
The third step is to prevent liverwort from regrowing.
To do that, pour baking soda all over the paved area and then sweep it into the cracks. It will overload new weeds with salt, causing them to die quickly, and leech into the soil, slowing down the growth process. You should do this treatment once a month if you don’t want to see the liverwort again.
If you don’t want to use it regularly, do this just once, and take the 4th step.
4. Use Polymeric Sand
Polymeric sand is made up of fine grains, to which manufacturers add a mixture of specific additive particles. When put in contact with water, this substance acts as an ultra-powerful bonding agent that strongly binds together concrete elements.
That way, you use polymeric sand to fill the joints between pavers to lock the joint together and prevent weed growth. Additionally, it makes your block paving a hostile place for pests, like ants.
You can buy the polymeric sand here on Amazon.
FAQ
What Herbicide Kills Liverwort?
The most effective herbicides that kill liverwort are:
- BroadStar
- SureGuard
- Tower
- FreeHand
- Rout
Will Roundup Kill Liverwort?
Roundup is an effective solution in killing liverwort. It dries off the plant, but doesn’t prevent it from regrowing.
Will Bleach Kill Liverwort?
Bleach should kill liverwort within 48 hours. It’s based on peroxides, and chlorine, so it will wilt the plant, but regrowth of liverwort is possible.
Does Iron Sulphate Kill Liverwort?
Iron Sulphate is effective in killing liverwort. Applying it on the surface of the liverwort will make the plant brown, and it will die within 24 hours. However, it’s not guaranteed that the liverwort won’t regrow.
Sources
study.com, mdc.mo.gov, en.wikipedia.org, horticulture.oregonstate.edu, sciencedirect.com, rnzih.org.nz, inchcalculator.com, techniseal.com, hunker.com, greenhousemag.com