Hub Site Update – BGI Chesham – September 2023

September 2023

BGI Hub Site weather in September

• First 2 weeks of high 20’s/low 30’s ºC.
• Third week we had rain most days and prevailing winds, temps 21 ºC.
• Last week – Temps still between 18/20 ºC, dropping to 11/12 ºC at night. Minimal rain throughout the final week.

Weed Control

All plantings across the BGI/Biomass Connect hub site have come on massively following the weed killing with the Herbidome 350 and strimming in the aisles.

2nd Sept: SRC Willow and SRF Eucalyptus sprayed with Herbidome.
3rd Sept: Weeds around Black Locust pulled by hand.
3rd Sept: 80% sprayed with Herbidome around Sida.
5th Sept: Strimming between Poplar SRC/SRF. Cut grass in the top border, Miscanthus and SRC Borders, strimming Black Locust and SRC Poplar
13th Sept: Measured up acreage for planting SRF seeds, and planning areas for the contractor to Glyphosate then 10 days later power harrow ready to sow AB8 Seed mix
13th Sept:  Weed killing 1m from SRC /SRF perimeters.
23rd Sept: Weed killing SRC Willow bed.
23rd Sept: Applied Glyphosate in preparation for Reed Canary Grass and AB8 mix.
26th Sept: Strimming around Reed Canary Grass and Sida plots

Observations from the Trial Plots

SRF Alder

• Caterpillars are stripping leaves from a couple of the Alder saplings (branches are now bare on a couple of branches).
• All are alive – None have died.

SRF Black Locust ‘Turbo’

• Weeds are under control after 2 sprays with Herbidome over the last 3 months.

SRF Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’

• The Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ is seeing plenty of healthy growth and multiple stems.

SRF Eucalyptus

• The main shoots on some Eucalyptus nitens have snapped. They have broken over the tops of the tree guards in strong winds.
• Weeds are under control after 2 sprays with the Herbidome 350 over the last 3 months.

SRF Poplar

• Weeds are under control after 2 sprays with the Herbidome over the last 3 months.
• Tree Guards are working well protecting the saplings from Glyphosate whilst using the Herbidome.

SRC Poplar

• Weeds are under control after 2 sprays with the Herbidome over the last 3 months.
• Tree Guards are working well protecting the saplings from Glyphosate whilst using the Herbidome.

0.5 ha Miscanthus Giganteus

• Grass weeds were growing amongst the Miscanthus – We have been advised to wait until the crop is dormant in February/March 2024 then spray with 360 Glyphosate and flail/cut the Miscanthus just above the grassweed within 25 hours of application. This is to ensure that no Glyphosate finds its way into the Miscanthus Rhizome.

Sida

• The Sida is growing well, with healthier rhizomes at the top of the plot

BGI Photo Gallery, September 2023

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