Uncategorised

Japanese Knotweed originates from the mountainous regions of Japan.  The reason for the extensive root network that’s typical of this species, isn’t just to provide a secure foothold in steep sections – it’s a way of protecting the plant and enabling it to come back to life.

Volcanic activity could result in the resident knotweed being covered in a thick layer of lava for many years.  While the upper layers of vegetation and rhizomes may be destroyed by the intense heat of the lava, rhizomes/roots at depth may be unharmed.  These deeper rhizomes can remain dormant for many years waiting for the upper layer of hardened lava to start to deteriorate and crack. Fissures which form through these deep layers of rock will allow this persistent species the opportunity to re-emerge.  Once it has broken through, the knotweed will slowly push apart the eroding lava layer by forming its dense crown.  Over time the species can break through the layer of lava to re-establish on the slopes once more.

So, as you can see above, a thin layer of concrete is no match for this rock specialist.

If you’re concerned about Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other Invasive Weed, why not take advantage of our range of FREE Identification options or Get in Touch for help from our team?

The nights are getting shorter, the days are getting longer. It’s that time of the year when plants are waking up from hibernation, ready to take in rays from the sun and some April showers.

 Japanese knotweed however is a light sleeper and rhizome is already bursting with energy to take on the world.  Pictures are from a roadside stand in Kircaldy. The red shoots are a tell-tale sign of life and will soon be metres high!

Time to think about management plans for control and eradication.

Contact KleerKut now for intelligent advice about Japanese Knotweed Removal.

Japanese Knotweed is a very robust perennial shrub.  While originating from the mountains of Asia taking root in rocky slopes covered in volcanic ash it is equally happy to take its chances on the sandy saline shores of the North Chanel –it’s really quite an amazing range of conditions when you think about it.

It is no wonder that it is a tricky specimen to get under control when it is this robust and adaptable.

For information about getting Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other Invasive Weed, under control why not Get in Touch ?

Love it or hate it, mature Japanese Knotweed can be an impressive sight in the right environment.  You can understand why this specimen was planted throughout historical gardens and estates across the United Kingdom. It fits well into beautiful and impressive landscapes and mature gardens.

If you’re concerned about Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other Invasive Weed, why not take advantage of our range of FREE Identification options or Get in Touch for help from our team?

While the roots of the established Japanese Knotweed are safely dormant meters below ground.  The dead canes above provide a spectacular display during sub-zero temperatures.

These canes are not viable and will start to break away in the new growing season as the new stalks push through and mature.

This is a great time of year to organise the removal of your Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other Invasive Weed, why not take advantage of our range of FREE Identification options or Get in Touch for help from our team?

Unlike Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed flowers early in the growing season usually during late June or early July.  The plant flower head can be up to 0.5 metres wide and is formed by flat topped clusters of tiny white flowers which are held in umbels. The tiny flowers are short lived, each forming a small seed.

As you can see in the image, each flowerhead can produce many seeds which will disperse as the plant dies over the course of the summer.  Seeds are discharged and can be carried some distance from the source plant.  Single plants can produce up to 50,000 seeds per specimen and these can remain viable for many years.

So, the important message here is that just one plant allowed to flower and discharge seed can go a very, very long way! 

Even if Giant Hogweed has flowered and dispersed seed there are still options for a specialist to get the situation back under control.  If this might affect you then why not Get in Touch for help from our team?

Late in the growing season, around August, on well-established Japanese Knotweed you will start to see flower buds emerging from the nodes/leaf joints.  Over several weeks these will lengthen, and the plant will start to flower, displaying small fronds of creamy white flowers which hang down from the leaf axils.

Japanese Knotweed can look quite spectacular at this time of year, but this is the best time to treat the plant with herbicide.

At this moment in time, the plant is putting all its energy into seed production prior to dying back for winter which makes it an ideal time to apply herbicide to the foliage.  When the Japanese knotweed enters senescence, all the nutrients from the above ground vegetation are drawn back down deep into the root network to ensure the best survival of the specimen through the winter months.  Herbicide applied at this time will also be drawn down deep into the root network; allowing for maximum effect.

If you’re concerned about Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other Invasive Weed, why not take advantage of our range of FREE Identification options or Get in Touch for help from our team?