How To Get Rid Of Liverwort. Top Solution

If you’re frustrated to know how to get rid of liverwort, there is only one solution: herbicides. Liverworts are one of the most frustrating problems for gardeners because they can grow in nurseries and greenhouses. Unlike other grasses that you can quickly get rid of in the greenhouse, liverworts are related to mosses and have no roots, making removal and control trickier. 

You can always grow plants in the greenhouse and create an environment that won’t support liverworts, but it’s still a great idea to know how to manage them when they arise. More so, liverworts can cause problems in plants’ water uptake and even make an ideal habitat for fungus gnats. Below is a discussion on safely using herbicides and what you can do to prevent liverwort from growing in the greenhouse or garden. 

How To Get Rid Of Liverwort. Top Solution

 

Complete Guide On How To Get Rid Of Liverwort: The Best Solution

 

Solution: Herbicides

Understandably, you probably hate the idea of using herbicides in your growing environment. Diligence and precaution are necessary to use any herbicides, whether they are considered “natural” or “chemical.” Oregon State University emphasizes checking the product’s label, especially when you are using it in the greenhouse. 

 

Natural

Let us discuss first the natural solutions for getting rid of liverwort. One can call these herbicides natural because of their sources. This means that they are generally safer for the environment and other organisms in the area. 

You can seek out biorational herbicides that use at least 20% acetic acid as their main ingredient for controlling liverworts. The other substances that gardeners use include 3% pelargonic acid and 2% oregano oil extract. You can use these natural herbicides with a sprayer, but ensure that you’re practicing precaution with these products and check if they are safe for the other plants in your area. 

 

Chemical

Oregon State University also found the effectiveness of some chemicals against liverworts. They include quinoclamine, flumioxazin, and sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate. However, the emphasis is necessary that some of these chemicals are not recommended for indoor use. 

Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate is the only chemical herbicide that you can use in the greenhouse at 0.1 pounds per square foot. On the other hand, quinoclamine and flumioxazin are not for indoor use, but the latter is a useful solution for container plants in the nursery. Overall, do check the instructions and label of your product before use. 

 

What To Do With Plants With Liverwort?

Sometimes liverworts grow on plants, and unfortunately, you can’t use chemicals to get rid of them. You can manually remove liverworts, but you may end up damaging the plant itself when the infestation is severe. The only solution left for you is to help the plant stay healthy and vigorous. 

Start by checking the soil and if the plant is getting enough water and mulch is necessary. Some gardeners also give seaweed-based feed on the plant to help maintain its strength. If you notice that the space is overcrowded, you must also remove excess foliage or prune to improve the air circulation. 

 

How To Prevent Liverwort Growth

 

Conditions and management

Washington State University mentioned that the ideal growing condition for liverwort is somewhere moist and humid. This is the reason why you may notice more liverworts in your area during late spring or early fall when the weather is damp and cool. One can assume that preventing these ideal growing conditions can help prevent and manage liverwort growth.

Growing in the greenhouse is advantageous in preventing liverwort growth because the weather is not that influential in the area. However, you also have to check your management practices such as watering and fertilizing because an excess of either promotes liverwort growth. You want to skip overhead irrigation and also allow the drying of the soil in between waterings. 

Improve the drainage and hasten the drying of your nursery or greenhouse surface by mulching. More so, reduce the humidity in the area to slow down liverwort growth by ensuring proper spacing and good air circulation. And lastly, do not over-fertilize; aim to incorporate the fertilizer in the soil instead of only applying it on the surface. 

 

Removal on pots and containers

What should I do with the liverworts growing on my pots and containers? Compared to how you’ll manage liverworts on plants, you can physically remove them in containers using cleaners on the surface. Scrubbing the pots and containers can also address liverwort growth. 

 

Conclusion

As a gardener, there will be days where you find other plants that you don’t like growing in your area. One of them is liverwort, so it’s essential to learn how to get rid of liverwort before it affects the health of your desired plants. While you can scrub them off pots and containers, the only solution for getting rid of them in the nursery or greenhouse is using herbicides. 

You can choose between natural herbicides and chemical herbicides, but it’s crucial to check the product’s label to practice precautions and avoid damage to your other plants. You can also grow in the greenhouse to create a controlled environment that’s not feasible for liverwort growth. 

Liverwort thrives anywhere damp and cool, and this can be problematic with the outdoor weather. You can also check your air circulation among plants and how you feed and water them as these factors can affect liverwort growth. 

 

Leave a Comment