As if being infested with horsetail wasn't bad enough..

[Methe]

Now I've got Japanese knotweed popping up through my rhubarb.

I'm beginning to think the the world doesn't want me to have an allotment I can use!

Any advice?

[kathycam]

Ugh poor you, are you sure that is what it is? You better let whoever runs the allotment know about it. It may need to be controlled by the council. And that means nasty chemicals. We had some at a permaculture place I went to, and they couldn't get out of it.

[kathycam]

from Fallopia japonica - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the UK, Japanese Knotweed is established in the wild in many parts of the country and creates problems due to the impact on biodiversity, flooding management and damage to property. It is an offence under section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to "plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild" any plant listed in Schedule nine, Part II to the Act, which includes Japanese knotweed. It is also classed as "controlled waste" in Britain under part 2 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This requires disposal at licensed landfill sites. The species is expensive to remove; Defra's Review of Non-native Species Policy states that a national eradication programme would be prohibitively expensive at £1.56 billion.[7]
The decision was taken on 9 March 2010 in the UK to release into the wild a Japanese psyllid insect, Aphalara itadori.[8] Its diet is highly specific to Japanese knotweed and shows good potential for its control.[9][10]
In Scotland, the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force in July 2012 that superseded the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This act states that is an offence to spread intentionally or unintentionally Japanese knotweed (or other non-native invasive species).

[Methe]

Definitely JK unfortunately. There's a patch in the graveyard behind our site and some on the next door plot which is un let at the moment. I suppose it was only a matter of time before it spread my way.

[Raybon]

Red devil

Cut thick stems down to about 30 cms, poke a bit of wire down hollow stem and wiggle it about. Carefully pour a good weed killer into the hollow and leave, should die back completely. Keep a close eye to make sure it hasn't returned or popped up elsewhere.

Our unwelcome guest is transported by the canal running alongside us, so no chance of the council being able to treat it without polluting the water......this worked for me after only one dose.

Good to show other folk what to look out for.

[Methe]

Would that kill the rhubarb Raybon?

[Methe]

I mean as it is literally poking up through one of the crowns.

[Raybon]

I would have thought not, as you are limiting the poison to that root system only.....but I can't say for sure, sorry!

[Greenleaves]

Better to lose the Rubbarb Methe than your plot. You really ought to tell your site rep about it though as it is an invasive species

[Methe]

I guess you're right. How quick does it spread?

[alldigging]

We've got knotweed growing in an alley near here. Got back tonight to find the kids have been in trashing it and dragging bits out on to the grass verges. ((

[Greenleaves]

How does Japanese Knotweed spread? - Leicester City Council

try this link Methe

[Raybon]

Forgot to say, burn the bits you cut off!

[mrgrower]

Are you sure its JK? we have it behind one of the gardens outside the allotment seems to be sticking to that area at the moment though.

Lets know how it goes and as has been said best loose a Rubarb than your plot.

[Methe]

Absolutely 100% knotweed. I had a good look at other plots today and most have it to some extent. I'm going to call my council lady tomorrow and see what they want me to do with it, if anything. Thankfully it's in an area I had penned in for a seating are so not too much of an issue crop wise but not be able to moved the rhubarb though for fear of transplanting some jk root with it.