Author Topic: Japanese knotweed anyone? (Read 8114 times)

David R · « **on:** May 02, 2005, 10:14:51 »

I have not got it on the allotment - would have given up, sold my house and moved to iceland if I had!

However, interesting thing I saw on the net the other day - apparently its edible :o

It can be used as rhubarb. This could be the answer to the nations woes. Does anyone have it on their allotment?

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2005, 19:46:39 »

Poor you Dominique, and welcome! Don't cry too much :( Am I right in saying Japenese knotweed should be reported to the council and they have to get rid of it, or was that a dream I once had???

redimp · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2005, 20:13:18 »

I do not think it is a dream - Japanese knotweed is public enemy number one and has relegated the colorado beetle to an also ran. However, having said that, Councils can be a little slow to pull their fingers out with problems like these.

gavin · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2005, 20:39:44 »

Hi Dominique - that is a disgrace that you were given an allotment with Japanese Knotweed.

It spreads incredibly fast, and will not allow anything esle to grow in that ground. How big is your patch of JKW?

Is it part of a much larger infestation invading from around about you? If it is, I hate to say this - especially as I'm guessing you've put in an awful lot of work in the last few months - but I'd be looking for another plot? I can't imagine a worse weed - but maybe others can pop in and say I'm being unnecessarily apocalyptic?

Just a few links for more info (we had JKW on the edge of our last plot - and guess what, the council put a ....... great rotovator through it. DUH! Apart from being illegal.)

The law (huh!) http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/knotweed/jap4.htm
Advice for householders http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/knotweed/jap3.htm

There's also the JKW Alliance at http://www.cabi-bioscience.org/html/japanese_knotweed_alliance.htm

All best - Gavin

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2005, 21:56:09 »

Dumb blonde moment, but I wouldn't know it if I saw it! Have googled, but am still a little vague about what it really looks like! I shall have to investigate!

Roy Bham UK · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2005, 22:16:43 »

>:( All I know is that it is big and bold and can devastate the land far worse than couch grass and you should really report it to Dr Who who may be able to exterminate it, God willing :o :o

shedifice · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2005, 09:53:18 »

I joined the Couch, mares tail and knot weed brigade on the weekend too.

spent ages pulling out the couch and mares tail only too see what I am sure is knot weed coming up in the onion patch. My plot sucks I think. I will prevail though..... Mwwaaahhhhahahahahah.

Lots of diggin to be done........ need to get the missus hypnotherapy though to get her digging on the lottie as she is scared of the spiders! :)

L.

Nigella · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2005, 10:32:04 »

J K is a nasty plant - it grows from rizomes in the ground so is very difficult to get rid of. Bacially when you cut it down / dig it out, the rizomes say criky I'm being attacked and grow faster !! >:(

If you want to get rid of it the best method is to dig it out - you need to dig up to 3 meters down (removing all the soil) and treat with a strong weed killer.

NB it is illegal to spread J K which means that any soil that you remove if you dig it out CAN NOT go to your local tip - under UK law it is classed as special / hazardous waste and must be taken to a special landfill site with the licence to accept it. >:( ??? ???

It can take 3-4 years to get rid of it. Due to the whole legal issues I would advise not to eat it as digging it up without care can cause it to spread which is against the law. :-\

Speak to your council - they may be able to help you or treat it for you. ;)

westsussexlottie · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2005, 13:16:55 »

inject the stems with roundup year after year and it will weaken it (eventually).

aquilegia · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2005, 13:36:17 »

You should report it to your council - it's a notifiable weed.

I've heard that you need to treat it with weedkiller in the autumn so as the plant is naturally returning the goodness to the rhizone, it also transfers the weedkiller, hence killing it quicker than at any other time of the year.

I garden organically, but must admit that if I got knotweed, I would use chemicals. It grows near the station near my office and it's grown about 2ft in a month. yuck.

Charlotte Sometimes · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2005, 14:31:02 »

Knotweed, what a nuissance for you! I have Ground Elder romping through one of my borders. Neither of these two is at all desirable. :P

I'm organic too, but I am thinking of getting some paint-on glyphosate for the Ground Elder. It seems almost impossible to pull it out by hand OR digging (not that there is the space for that where it is growing). I don't feel I have much choice if I want to get rid of it. And I know that even with chemical help it is going to be a case of repeated application. :P :P :P

Mike J · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2005, 23:09:31 »

I haven't got it on the allotment - yet - but do know that it's Public Enemy No.1, along with Himalayan Balsam and some other nasties. I got involved with these on a Conservation Working Holiday a few years ago, when we had to try and eradicate them from a Welsh hillside. This was with BTCV - who are great, and I had some of my best holidays with them - and had some other weeks with them getting rid of that other monster imported by the Victorians - Rhododendrons. Also Ragwort - though I learnt later that this is an important plant for the caterpillars of the cinnabar moth which is the only plant they eat. Anyway, good luck with getting rid of it.

redimp · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2005, 23:50:39 »

Ragwort is only a problem for horses and then only when dried and mixed with hay so hopefully not too much to worry about on your lottie.

PREMTAL · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2005, 03:44:46 »

Hi Dominique,
A friend of mine had a small patch of Kw in the garden of his newly purchased abode, this was a few years ago.

Not being the gardening type he resorted to the Troglodyte solution.

He dug down about 3 feet and got fed up digging down, he then dug a 6 foot circular trench to the same level and had a bonfire in it.

he kept the bonfire going for two days and threw the the roots that he had dug out into the fire.

The result was that he cooked it to death and it never came back up.

I don't know if this would work for a large infestation of this weed but I just thought I would pass it on to you.

PREMTAL

David R · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2005, 09:05:19 »

Konditor and Cook, posh bakers in London are selling JKW tarts "taste like rhubarb" !!!

bananagirl · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2005, 10:06:00 »

Is Knotweed the same as bindweed?? It definitely sounds the same. We have shed loads in our garden and next door and next door and nexr door...I got told once that something in the roots of marigolds inhibits its growth, so I'm spreading marigold seeds like a madman/woman. Don't know if it'll work, but if they are the same thing, give it a go. You'll end up with pretty flowers anyway. :)

westsussexlottie · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2005, 10:11:41 »

I don't think it is the same thing- although I think its spreading habit is the same. I know that Japanese Knotweed can grow through concrete and houses etc....

RobinOfTheHood · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2005, 15:23:40 »

No, it's not the same. Try this link
http://weeds.cropsci.uiuc.edu/images/Japanese%20Knotweed/pages/Japanese%20Knotweed.htm
It shows the early season's growth.

This one shows later growth, and the damage it can cause.
http://www.ex.ac.uk/knotweed/Introduction.htm

We have a small patch about 50 yards from our lottie, sprayed it with glyphosate last summer, it didn't kill it then, but it hasn't come up as yet this year...

gavin · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2005, 19:41:27 »

No :( - bindweed's a very gentle and well-behaved pussycat compared to JKW!

I like your solution, Premtal - something to bear in mind; good for the soul if nothing else ;D

All best - Gavin

suhayb · « **Reply #19 on:** May 07, 2005, 02:55:04 »

u lot are scaring the 'human manure' out of me!
i think i need my teddy in bed with me tonight.

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Author Topic: Japanese knotweed anyone? (Read 8114 times)