Japanese Knotweed Problem

Yeesh. I don’t envy you.  I was thrilled to move from a place that had them something awful.  I heard a little segment on NPR last year (one of those “edible weeds” type segments they often have), and the woman was talking all about eating these like they would be the next ramps.

tanner

in Mortgage 12 years ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

Newest Oldest

madstuy | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5117 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4937 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177572"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BzKRRsk0m2xrXjSgOfmFIQtNRDmpQX/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "franksciarrone@me.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/madstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:26:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177572)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Has anyone had any luck removing Japanese Knotweed from their yards? It stretches into about a half dozen or so backyards in my neighborhood. There seems to be a concerted effort on the part of most of the newer homeowners to eradicate it but it’s pretty well entrenched from years of free wheeling growth. I’m going to spray Round Up but wondering if there’s a more effective treatment or product to use. I realize that it may be a problem for a long time to come but would appreciate anyone’s insight. Species name is fallopia japonica. It is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species

mab | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3071"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "mab"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBPyYttzaEkcUzBW0jyUEEE44GM8lW1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "mab"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "mab726@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(59) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/presidentresident/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:39:01"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "mab"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3071)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I have the same problem, except that none of my immediate neighbors care because they’re not gardeners like I am. I’ve tried Round Up by cutting the stalk to about four inches above the ground and pouring it directly into the hollow of the stalk. Pulling the weed out of the ground soon after it emerges is a better idea, but you need to get the entire root system with it, as well. I may be fighting a losing battle all by myself, but I’d still be interested to know if anyone else has tried any other effective solutions.

wiley | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4945 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "54363"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "wiley"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B6zL3fpD9G5zYTuDmVyD3Hthi/Yhrx0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "wiley"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "wileynyc1@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/wileynyc1/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:16:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "wiley"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(54363)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You might look into a product called speedzone – It’s for broad lieaf plants – I’ve not used it for knotweed but in all my uses it has been very effective.

marie-helene | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5117 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176719"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "marie-helene"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BIVcO0Xh5D6Ybw3Kkoe3etYzz.aU0/."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "marie-helene"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "ediblepetals@about.me"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "http://www.edible-petals.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:24:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "marie-helene"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176719)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Round Up is the right product.  Just spray the leaves, it will kill the plant.  Since there is probably a very extensive root system (across several backyards), they will come back.  It would take years of consistent applications by you and your neighbors to eradicate the colony.

madstuy | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5119 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177572"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BzKRRsk0m2xrXjSgOfmFIQtNRDmpQX/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "franksciarrone@me.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/madstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:26:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177572)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thank you Marie-Helene!

Arkady | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4945 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5120 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’ve found that it takes more than one application of Round-Up but it does work.

Guest User | 12 years ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "195523"

My husband and I have been battling it as well, starting last spring. Once we figured out what it was, I found this article to be most helpful: http://landscaping.about.com/cs/weedsdiseases/a/knotweed.htm. We naively decided, however, to try to dig it up. Well, the roots go down at least 3 feet and you have to sift through all the dirt you dig up to pull out any roots, because even a half-inch root remnant will start to regrow. We also placed metal flashing, typically used on roofs, along the fence line between our yard and our neighbors so their knotweed wouldn’t reinfect our yard. Yes, we went kind of crazy, and it was exhausting. Although we did not finish digging up our entire yard, where we did dig it up it has not grown back. We’re hopeful to finish digging up the yard this year so we can finally start creating something more than a big mud pit. The photo shows you what goes on underground. It’s unbelievable. I’m not sure I can recommend what we did, but it does seem to be working.

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/516f0bda8e8a5-processed-photo.jpg

snowman2 | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5121 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5122 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14869"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "snowman2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "jfss"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "j_marali@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/snowman2/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:35:01"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "avQfeZT53sOUsEBETk2c"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "jfss"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14869)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It had taken over the back of my garden that had been untouched for many years.  Took me several years of Roundup and digging – yes, way down – but I eventually got rid of it all.  Be persistent.

madstuy | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5123 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5124 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177572"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BzKRRsk0m2xrXjSgOfmFIQtNRDmpQX/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "franksciarrone@me.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/madstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:26:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "madstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177572)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thank you for your words. I will definitely be persistent!

daveinbedstuy | 12 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5130 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I have them in PA.  Not so much of an issue given where they are.  I’ll try the Roundup on the leaves.  I saw Bobby Flay grill some of the tender top shoots once on his show!!!!