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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Wednesday - December 12, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Getting rid of King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum)
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I ranch approximately 1500 acres of land seven miles southeast of Marble Falls , Texas . At present, the land is inundated with King Ranch Bluestem; which as you know, kills by smothering all other natural range grasses. The cattle will not eat it unless they are starving to death. Do you have any suggestions as to how I might get rid of the the King Ranch Bluestem and save my good grasses? Any information you have will be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER:

Well, Mr. Smarty Plants has some bad news and some good news. The bad news, of course, is that it isn't going to be easy getting rid of KR bluestem. The good news is that we have a timely answer for you since we had a similar question less than a month ago about eliminating this pest, albeit on a smaller scale. However, large-scale or small-scale, the strategy is the same.
 

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