Does 'RoundUp' work on ALL plants?

[Peter Jason]

I want to get rid of moss & lichens on my slate roof. Also does it kill
bacteria, which are plants evidently?

[V_coerulea]

I think Roundup is overkill for all of these. Not to mention that the runoff
onto foundation plantings would be sure to create a disaster. Pool
chemicals, Porch & Deck cleaners, and Clorox would be easier, safer and
better to use than Roundup (not to mention one heck-of-a-lot cheaper). The
moss will still require a stiff brush to get it off the slate once it's dead
by any means. It doesn't just let go and float off with the next rain.
Leaving the dead moss there is just making a nice fertile place for new
spores to germinate once conditions return to normal (after a few heavy
rains). Regular spraying with any of the above will insure inhospitable
conditions. Use pool algaecide at about 1-2 Tbsp/gal; clorox at 5-6 oz/gal;
porch & deck cleaners come in spray bottles ready to use or dilute
concentrates according to the bottle. An easy way to do this would be to buy
a hose-end proportioner where you fill the bottle, screw in onto the end of
the hose, and spray your roof from the ground. Make sure it can reach that
far before buying it.
Gary

Post by Peter Jason
I want to get rid of moss & lichens on my slate roof. Also does it kill
bacteria, which are plants evidently?

[Peter Jason]

Thanks. I do know about the Clorox method and the other which is the
application of C12 quaternary compound (supposed to leave a retardant film
on the slate surface), but the only reason I have not tried these is
because I fear my gutters corroding. But I will try the Clorox method after
the Roundup (applied yesterday) works or not works. ncidently I have just
had my drains routed for roots (there were plenty) and the plumber said that
the terra-cotta drains were cracked and that I should flush some copper
salts down the toilet to dissuade future root infiltration. Before the
plumber arrived and while the drain was still backed up I emptied some
Roundup into it in the hope this might kill a large length of root.
Anyway, now I have a bag of copper sulfate next to the toilet and I throw
about half a kilo down the bowl twice a week followed by a half flush.

Do you know if this sort of thing works well?

Post by V_coerulea
I think Roundup is overkill for all of these. Not to mention that the
runoff onto foundation plantings would be sure to create a disaster. Pool
chemicals, Porch & Deck cleaners, and Clorox would be easier, safer and
better to use than Roundup (not to mention one heck-of-a-lot cheaper). The
moss will still require a stiff brush to get it off the slate once it's
dead by any means. It doesn't just let go and float off with the next rain.
Leaving the dead moss there is just making a nice fertile place for new
spores to germinate once conditions return to normal (after a few heavy
rains). Regular spraying with any of the above will insure inhospitable
conditions. Use pool algaecide at about 1-2 Tbsp/gal; clorox at 5-6 oz/gal;
porch & deck cleaners come in spray bottles ready to use or dilute
concentrates according to the bottle. An easy way to do this would be to
buy a hose-end proportioner where you fill the bottle, screw in onto the
end of the hose, and spray your roof from the ground. Make sure it can
reach that far before buying it.
Gary

Post by Peter Jason
I want to get rid of moss & lichens on my slate roof. Also does it kill
bacteria, which are plants evidently?

[Jim Stewart]

Post by Peter Jason
Thanks. I do know about the Clorox method and the other which is the
application of C12 quaternary compound (supposed to leave a retardant film
on the slate surface), but the only reason I have not tried these is
because I fear my gutters corroding. But I will try the Clorox method after
the Roundup (applied yesterday) works or not works. ncidently I have just
had my drains routed for roots (there were plenty) and the plumber said that
the terra-cotta drains were cracked and that I should flush some copper
salts down the toilet to dissuade future root infiltration. Before the
plumber arrived and while the drain was still backed up I emptied some
Roundup into it in the hope this might kill a large length of root.
Anyway, now I have a bag of copper sulfate next to the toilet and I throw
about half a kilo down the bowl twice a week followed by a half flush.
Do you know if this sort of thing works well?

Copper sulfate is the best thing for roots
in the drainpipe. It does work, though it's
illegal in many places here in the US.

Marine life is highly sensitive to copper and
since treatment plants don't remove it, so
keep that in mind and don't use more than
necessary.

I think that Roundup has to be applied to green
leaves and activated by sunlight. I doubt it
did anything in the drain.

My parents lived on the Pacific coast and had
a big moss problem on their roof. My dad used
rock salt and said it worked well.

[Peter Jason]

Post by Jim Stewart

Post by Peter Jason
Thanks. I do know about the Clorox method and the other which is the
application of C12 quaternary compound (supposed to leave a retardant
film on the slate surface), but the only reason I have not tried these
is because I fear my gutters corroding. But I will try the Clorox method
after the Roundup (applied yesterday) works or not works. ncidently I
have just had my drains routed for roots (there were plenty) and the
plumber said that the terra-cotta drains were cracked and that I should
flush some copper salts down the toilet to dissuade future root
infiltration. Before the plumber arrived and while the drain was still
backed up I emptied some Roundup into it in the hope this might kill a
large length of root. Anyway, now I have a bag of copper sulfate next to
the toilet and I throw about half a kilo down the bowl twice a week
followed by a half flush.
Do you know if this sort of thing works well?

Copper sulfate is the best thing for roots
in the drainpipe. It does work, though it's
illegal in many places here in the US.
Marine life is highly sensitive to copper and
since treatment plants don't remove it, so
keep that in mind and don't use more than
necessary.
I think that Roundup has to be applied to green
leaves and activated by sunlight. I doubt it
did anything in the drain.
My parents lived on the Pacific coast and had
a big moss problem on their roof. My dad used
rock salt and said it worked well.

I have had a lot of luck killing the green moss that grows on old concrete
in damp places. I mix denatured alcohol and water 50/50 and just spray
this on when the surface is dry.
It kills all within a week and leaves the concrete 'bleached' white.

Perhaps Vodka (neat) would work too.

[Sean Houtman]

Post by Peter Jason
Thanks. I do know about the Clorox method and the other which is
the application of C12 quaternary compound (supposed to leave a
retardant film on the slate surface), but the only reason I have
not tried these is because I fear my gutters corroding. But I
will try the Clorox method after the Roundup (applied yesterday)
works or not works. ncidently I have just had my drains routed
for roots (there were plenty) and the plumber said that the
terra-cotta drains were cracked and that I should flush some
copper salts down the toilet to dissuade future root infiltration.
Before the plumber arrived and while the drain was still backed
up I emptied some Roundup into it in the hope this might kill a
large length of root. Anyway, now I have a bag of copper sulfate
next to the toilet and I throw about half a kilo down the bowl
twice a week followed by a half flush.
Do you know if this sort of thing works well?

You probably don't need to use that much copper sulfate at a time,
and I would suggest checking with your local laws about dumping
Roundup down the drains. Here in the US, it is illegal to do that.

Sean

[Peter]

Jeys disinfectant fluid kills moss. Mix as directed on the tin.

Post by Peter Jason
I want to get rid of moss & lichens on my slate roof. Also does it kill
bacteria, which are plants evidently?