Japanese Knotweed update 14 May 2017

The big clump

 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.

Japanese Knotweed update, 7th May 2017

Here's the update from 7th May showing progress of the Knotweed at our chosen location. Video first...

The easily recognised clump now has more green leaves apparent than dead canes. Many of the stems are now at or approaching full height.

Closer view

Fresh growth next to the track which had been mown and trampled down are now making a recovery

Side view with a second clump now well established further up track

Japanese Knotweed update - 1st May 2017

Happy May Day!

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

Click on the video below to see more

Japanese Knotweed update - 22 April 2017

Have missed an additional week, it's now April 22nd.

Heavier population of green leaves appearing amongst dead growth from 2016

New red shoots turning to green

These stems twice the height they were two weeks ago on 9 April

 Here's the latest video taken at this location.

Japanese Knotweed update - 9 April 2017

One week on, it's now April 9th and the Knotweed is becoming more visible from a distance.....

New green leaves appearing amongst dead canes from last year

Stems next to track now about 40cm in height (15 inches)

Deformed yellow leaves show the stems are growing faster than the leaves can open out

More and more fresh red stems appearing at the side of the track

Will be back again next week to see how growth has progressed.

New Japanese Knotweed 2017

Japanese Knotweed is one of the four worst problems that can affect residential property. It changes in appearance during the year. March is the month when the first signs of growth can be seen. During this year, 2017, I will post images of the Knotweed at regular intervals so that you can see how it changes and how quickly it grows. Please feel free to leave a comment. You're welcome to join in!

These photographs were taken on 24 March. The tall cane-like material in the background is last year's Knotweed, which died back in the early autumn. Looking carefully at the ground, the first new shoots can be seen:

Tall cane-like branches of last year's Knotweed, which died back around October / November

First new shoots just poking though the ground

Fresh leaves and stem have a reddish tint

10cm high new shoots of 2017 Japanese Knotweed

Watch this 45 second film from the same location on 24 March.
Have you seen any Knotweed yet this year?



Now let's move on a week to 1st April 2017. No significant changes, but the shoots are taller, perhaps twice as tall as the week before in some places.

Slightly higher shoots than last week

Thin spindle stalks and triangular leaves of new shoots

Red shoots with leaves about to open out

See also the video below: