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Talkback: Japanese knotweed

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
How many 'biocontrol' successes have there been compared with any failures/disasters?
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  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    My brothers garden is full of the stuff and he has tried everything to get rid of it!!! He has now got some weedkiller that you put down the hollow stem to see if that will kill it off, nothing will grown near it.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    We have a small patch of Fallopia and I have found that regularly pulling it up is gradually weakening it and I predict that eventually I will win.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Have dug every bit of this beautiful weed up.I THINK , Have tried pouring weedkiller down the hollow stem which has helped but would like to know how long before it rears its head again.
    I think the only possible solution is to dig all the earth up and replace with fresh topsoil.
    Not really a job for a weakling . Someone find me a MAN
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I don't think this article makes it clear that the control of Japanese Knotweed must be undertaken in consultation with the Environment Agency, as the waste itself is classified due to the plant's ability to regenerate from the smallest fragments. It is really important that it is controlled in the proper manner, as it is people ripping it out with the best intentions who are causing it to spread.

    (I don't work for the EA by the way, but I am an environmental scientist who has had to do some research into the issues around the plant).

    See http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/31364.aspx for more info.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Aaargh This plant has caused me long hours of research and much work. On the bright side you can actually eat the young shoots: http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Knotweed.html
    I found a blog that encouraged me to persevere just when I thought I was going to havw to give up http://gardeningbloggers.com/theruralgardener/2009/05/
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Yes, as Amy says, this was my main problem. I asked a question at the above blog site and it was her advice that led me to get in touch with the local countryside officer at our council. Unfortunately, the comments seem to have gone from the older blogs now.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I think who ever introduced the japanese knotweed should be made to spend their days digging it up and as for importing the japanese insect to help control it I think they've done enough damage. look at the Lady bird problem,being eaten by imported bugs and our squirrels dying from desease imported by none british sqirrels.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    There is a sure fire way to eradicate Fallopia that does not fragment any tissue capable of regenerating: remove by picking all but the top leaf of each stem as soon as the new season growth is producing leaves. The plant stemd grow taller and taller but cannot photosynthesise. Over a period of years the stand will grow weaker and thinner and native plants can grow between the clumps because there is no foliage cover to shade them. Although this method is no quicker it involves only the samr effort as frequent digging, no herbicide use and no problem with composting the leaves.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Have saved all the pieces that i could find and intend on burning same when they have dried out.As i realise that like bindweed it reproduces from every little bit.
    In future I will follow smflyman's advice and pick the leaves off.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Many years ago (about 20),I admired a beautiful, prolifically growing plant with handsome leaves, in a friend's garden. It did a great job of screening out the neighbours, so she gave me some pieces for my own garden. Hoever, I was devastated when it all died off as I am very green fingered. Little did I know then ( and neither did she), that it was Japanese Knotweed! Perhaps I saved my garden from a terrible fate, but can't believe that this now pernicious, but still, in my opinion, majestic plant, succumbed to my best attempts to establish it, and withered away. So what did I do wrong ( or right)? Perhaps if I could remember I could bottle it up and become a millionaire overnight. Now for my sins I have Mare's Tail...HELP!!
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