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Original poster

Japanese Knotweed

31 replies

wgll · 17/04/2023 19:04

Panicking ... slightly

Bought a house in November. Survey was done around October time, no concerns around Japanese Knotweed. Saw the place in the Summer, nothing visible.

Came back from Easter break and there's a single stem on our back fence (about 30cm) that I'm worried is JKW.

Has anyone had this situation and could advise what to do?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
mmmmmchocolate · 17/04/2023 19:19

Have you got a picture? If it is it needs to be treated, I’m assuming it’s not too near your house? But don’t worry too much 😊

Keepthetowel · 17/04/2023 19:20

It’s not that bad, get some weed killer and spray regularly. It will go away.

Original poster
wgll · 17/04/2023 19:30

Thanks Chocolate, urm it's about 10M from our house 😣

Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed
OP posts:
cathyandclare · 17/04/2023 19:40

Just whack some concentrated glyphosate on it and repeat, if you catch it early it’s easy to control. I found a single sprout across the drive from our house and went in hard and it went very quickly and has never come back (over 10 years now)

Newgirls · 17/04/2023 19:43

Yes that looks like it. Blast it as others say and keep an eye - it does go away. Don’t put it in garden waste bin. Black bin in a bag if you have to

Peekingovertheparapet · 17/04/2023 19:44

Is it coming from next door? If so they are committing an offence by allowing it to spread. And will also need to manage theirs.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 17/04/2023 19:44

I don't think that is knotweed - the stem goes from side to side (bad explanation but I took a photo of some somewhere and I will try to find it)

LuckyDipForTheEuro · 17/04/2023 19:45

I agree once leaves are out douse with glyphosate and if you are diligent it can be eradicated within a year or two. Friend inherited a forest of the bastard things but killed it off this way without having to dig out the foundations as some people have to. Five years on I don't think they've had a resurgence.

vipersnest1 · 17/04/2023 19:55

Looks like bindweed to me - use weed killer as PP have said or otherwise you'll have to sift every bloody square inch of soil if it multiplies like I had to.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 17/04/2023 19:57

This is knotweed - do you see the way the stem goes?

Japanese Knotweed
KnickerlessParsons · 17/04/2023 20:26

I don't think it's knotweed either. Could it be a particularly strong shoot of bindweed? 

KnickerlessParsons · 17/04/2023 20:27

Like this

Japanese Knotweed
MereDintofPandiculation · 17/04/2023 20:29

cathyandclare · 17/04/2023 19:40

Just whack some concentrated glyphosate on it and repeat, if you catch it early it’s easy to control. I found a single sprout across the drive from our house and went in hard and it went very quickly and has never come back (over 10 years now)

If that doesn’t work, you can try with less concentrated glyphosate. Glyphosate works “from inside” by disrupting growth. Too heavy a dose and you can kill the tips rather than get deep into the system.

or try breaking a cane off and pouring some weedkiller down the hole

Greentree1 · 17/04/2023 20:33

If it is knotweed complain to the estate agent, someone knew. Could be Russian vine which is also a pain, or various other climbers. Wait to see if it flowers, but I would register your complaint just in case.

MereDintofPandiculation · 17/04/2023 20:33

That does look rather slim for JK. It’s not bindweed, though.

tailinthejam · 17/04/2023 20:35

The shape of the leaves and growth habit looks more like hedge bindweed than Japanese knotweed to me. Which is still a nuisance to get rid of, but not a nightmare.

PuppyPerson · 17/04/2023 20:36

Having battled it for a couple of years I would say from your photo that definitely is JKW. As others have said, pull it up immediately, pour some glyphosate where you pulled it from, and keep a very beady eye. You can beat it. Don't panic! I wouldn't touch glyphosate or any chemicals like that for the garden usually, but JKW is a different matter sadly.

dodobookends · 17/04/2023 20:38

What's the other side of the fence? You need to have a good look over there.

GretaGood · 17/04/2023 20:45

Can the public buy strong glyphosate nowadays?
You have to coat the leaves with the glyphosate and it is absorbed down into the roots and the whole plant (hopefully) killed so I wouldn't pull it up. Instead treat it.

Run4it2 · 17/04/2023 21:00

Looks like bindweed to me as well

BucketList101 · 17/04/2023 21:01

I'm not sure it's knotweed. Knotweed normally has a flat back to the leaves. Yours is a v shape.

orangeflags · 17/04/2023 21:27

@GretaGood yes you can it's made by Gallup.

PuppyPerson · 17/04/2023 21:32

It's the red tinge to the stem of the main plant and on the leaf stems which is distinctly JKW I think. I've not seen bindweed with any red colouring before?

Redbone · 17/04/2023 21:43

I’m inclined to think that is JK . The roots have a distinct red tinge too. The best time to treat with glyphosate is in August by injecting in the stems. Let the growth die off and then dig up the dead plant and roots and burn if you can. If there is loads next door I suggest you report to the council .

Redbone · 17/04/2023 21:46

I should have added can you get a knowledgeable friend to check for you on site or Google more pics of JK ?