[Jettaway]

This is prob more a question for Chris Scott, by for anyone that has or is using it.

What's this stuff like? Does it really do what it says on the tin? Also does it need a 6 hour dry window after applying. I'm looking at using it after paving jobs.

[BDCS]

High horse at the ready 

[chris scott]

Chikara is not licensed for hard surfaces due to run off.
Guessing you don't have a ticket for spraying weedkiller in general it's the least of your problems  
I have heard it works well and  i have heard it is better if it rains  shortly after application. As it does not work by contact with the foliage as does Glyphosate so it wont wash off .  
Flazasulfuron ..the active ingredient in chikara works by "wrapping" itself around the seed preventing germination.

As it is illegal for you too use it i could not offer you advice as i might be aiding and abetting. I believe the criminals amongst us who do use it spray the job with glyphosate before washing (spot spraying the weeds only as blanket spraying is banned) wash,then after resanding spray Chikara.
They then "maintenance" spray Glysophate/chikara mix every 3/4 months to keep the area weed free.
As i say this is only what i have heard on the criminal grapevine and no way endorse it myself.

[Jettaway]

Thanks for the info Chris.
P.s.  who said I don't have a ticket.

I've found it online for about £90+ vat. Is that about a reasonable price?

[chris scott]

Thanks for the info Chris.
P.s.  who said I don't have a ticket

I was guessing....most don't.

[BDCS]

High horse back in its stable till the next time  Is this chickory stuff in a tiny pot which you only use a few grains and costs about £16 ?

[Jettaway]

Its in a small pot, 50g and 250g(I think) but I found it at 92+vat.. 16 would be a lot nicer though lol

[chris scott]

£90 quids worth does about 2 acres!
High Horse was sold to a man called Terry Esco ....Thats what the cheque said.

[Jettaway]

Im still pondering whether or not to get some. I'm planning on using it as a selling point over my local competition, but am undecided if it will help me secure enquiry - jobs ratio or whether customers just expect a clean drive and that weeds will come back in the short term

Thoughts anyone 

[chris scott]

My advice would be that you tell your customers..... You will never prevent weeds growing back regardless of what your competition tells them... but in addition to the cleaning service you offer you can help maintain their driveway for ££££ per visit  (or  as part of the cleaning  service you are then "adding value" to your self over the competitor). You recommend every 2/3 months for block paving to keep it looking good.
A back pack blower,moss and weed killer will keep most growing things at bay during the summer.

[Jettaway]

Thanks Chris,
I still haven't bought any yet. I think I might though and as you say, offer a top up coat for £££ after 3 months or so.

How heavy do you need to apply it, is it just a light spray over the blocks or do you need to really damp the surface with it?

[chris scott]

If you can see it has dampened the surface you have possibly used too much! Use a back pack sprayer to apply .....then wash it in with a fine spray with an adjustable nozzle .

http://www.lssystems.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_387_388

[Jettaway]

I didn't realise it needed washing in too. Thanks Chris

[Jettaway]

I finally got some and used it,

Looks just like water, for some reason I expected it to be a milky colour. Hard to believe such a few granules stretch so far. We'll see how good it is. I've still got about 10l mixed up in my sprayer.

[chris scott]

It should quite cloudy.

[Jettaway]

Oh.. I'll have another go tomorrow. Mixed up 4g to 16l of water.

Although filled water first then added granules, didn't realise you add half water, then granules then toc it. Could be due to that

[Roland S]

Oh.. I'll have another go tomorrow. Mixed up 4g to 16l of water.

Although filled water first then added granules, didn't realise you add half water, then granules then toc it. Could be due to that

how did you get on with this, worth the money?

[Jettaway]

Hi mate, sorry for the delayed reply, been a busy week.

Ermm.. Im sceptical to be honest. I did a test area in my back garden about 3 months ago and I noticed at the weekend that there were some fresh young weeds coming through. However I did apply it quite thin and the area is surrounded by greenery and is like a wind tunnel. Although my front block paved area it is still completely weed free with no sign of any life.

I have had no call backs from jobs I have used it on. I would say give it a try.

[chris scott]

You will never stop weeds completely. In my experience it probably reduces weed grow to about 10% of what an untreated area would be.

[Roland S]

Hi mate, sorry for the delayed reply, been a busy week.

Ermm.. Im sceptical to be honest. I did a test area in my back garden about 3 months ago and I noticed at the weekend that there were some fresh young weeds coming through. However I did apply it quite thin and the area is surrounded by greenery and is like a wind tunnel. Although my front block paved area it is still completely weed free with no sign of any life.

I have had no call backs from jobs I have used it on. I would say give it a try.

hi

thanks for the reply. i'm going to sit down when i have time and see if it works out much cheaper than an all in one like path clear. i but the glyphosate by the 5l can and that works out much cheaper. do you know if chikara has a shelf life?