Solved Is this Japanese Knotweed?

That's not good news, sorry Jack.

This is Japanese Knotweed. There is a slight zig-zag in the branches.

 

Hi Sheal, thanks for your picture. I’ve just discovered the shoots which are reddish purple and asparagus like. In my ignorance I cut off the top of one and it is already cane like with a hollow centre. I’ll photograph tomorrow and ask for confirmation if it’s what I think it is. I’m trying to be positive as the area where the shoots are appearing is small. On the other hand I’d obviously like to be rid of it. As I mentioned earlier I’m planning to build a house - my plot is on a country road and thankfully I don’t have neighbours to placate about this. As for building I’m still in the planning stage and even then I’m in no desperate hurry to start, probably a couple of years away so at least I’ve got time on my side to deal with this.

 

If it’s jap weed you need to employ a professional who will have injection kits to kill of the weed. It’s not cheap but you should be able to find someone local who can check it out for you and will follow the regs in place for situations like this.
Small stems can’t be injected but can be sprayed.

 

Hi Liz,thank you for replying. I have a great distrust of some folks who call themselves “professionals” based on experience of botched jobs over the years from a variety of them! (Usually means hitting sales targets and expensive warranties are involved - call me cynical) I was delighted to find this forum and seek advice from people who really know their stuff so I’m open to all suggestions in my fight.

 

There are some good tradesman out there, I do understand though it’s hard to find good ones.

 

Hi @Jack2020 there was an academic paper published from Swansea university in 2018 that compared different ways of treating knotweed. They found the best treatment was to spray twice - once in the full growth period of June/July, and once in the autumn (between Aug and Nov) when resources are moving back to the rhizome. They said that although a high does injection program in the autumn was actually better, it took far more labour and glyphosate. They tried a range of different methods of control over a period of 3 years on large areas, so are fairly confident of the results. Unfortunately, even 3 years wasn't enough to kill it completely.
I have some knotweed in some land I own, and am applying the technique (wearing full PPE of course). Some is near a watercourse, so I am just using injection on that.

 

Hi folks I’ve attached a photo of what I think is Japanese Knotweed in its early growth. I’d appreciate your confirmation if yes or no.
Thanks!

 

Hi Caroline I read that report just this afternoon! I must admit after reading I didn’t feel quite so bad. I’m now coming round to accepting that if I can keep it from spreading Ill be content. If I can eradicate completely - very good. I can only try.....!

 

Sure looks like it to me.
That is a very good article above.
I am sure you can get rid of it.

 

Thanks for confirming ( really ! ). Ok now I know my enemy. Onward with the Rock Salt, Roundup......

 

Good luck Jack. Let us know how things progress please.

 

Thank you, Sheal, I certainly will.

 

Hi @Jack2020 for one patch which was in my field (not actually the garden) I did the spraying twice last year with commercial glyphosate at the specified dose. It hasn't turned up in that area this year - not even nearby... I was able to be very thorough because it was an isolated clump. I think that knotweed is a thug but not quite a triffid - we can beat it with consistent and repeated dosing, provided you can apply the glyphosate to most of it. Goodness knows what will happen if glyphosate is actually banned.

 

Hi Caroline, that’s really good to hear, very encouraging. I just received Glyphosate for tree stump removal today so I’m good to go. My growth is in a small area which in time, probably a couple of years, will be my car parking area so I’ve got time on my side to deal with it. Also think I mentioned previously I’m in a rural area so thankfully no nearby neighbours to contend with.
I can only try!