Successful musk thistle control depends on the prevention of seed
production. A single plant can produce up to 20,000 seeds that can
remain viable in the soil for up to seven years.
Seeds may mature
even after the flower heads have been cut from the plant. If mowing
is used to prevent seed production, flower heads should be collected
by hand and burned.
Mechanical, biological and chemical control methods have all been
used on musk thistle, with varying degrees of success. The effectiveness
of these methods, alone or in concert, depends on various factors
such as the time of treatment.
Introduction
Successful musk thistle control depends on the prevention of seed
production. A single plant can produce up to 20,000 seeds that can
remain viable in the soil for up to seven years.