Normally by mid May, Japanese Knotweed is much greener and much bushier than this, so unfortunately, the Knotweed in the chosen location has not grown as dense and prolific as I was expecting. The young shoots below have distinct yellow stripes and the leaves are limp. The native vegetation growing alongside looks healthy, so it is not likely that it has been affected by any chemical treatment.
Limp and yellow leaves of young shoot
Will return here once more, then will wait for several weeks to see if the Knotweed has bushed out. It is probable that a tree canopy above is the cause of the weaker than expected growth.
By 1st May, the established clumps of Japanese Knotweed at our location are 1.5m in height. Some stalks are almost as high as they reached last year. These are unusually yellow in colour, possibly due to restricted light, owing to a tree canopy above. Unfortunately somebody has mown down the vegetation closest to the track, including the smaller shoots I was monitoring.
New green leaves beginning to dominate the dead stalks of last year
Closer view
Close up of the canes which are over 1cm in diameter and will continue to thicken