Japanese Knotweed - how to kill?

Thanks a lot, need to brush up on my botanical knowledge.

Summer2020 wrote: »

Thanks a lot, need to brush up on my botanical knowledge.

Maybe also not just assume your neighbour is growing noxious weeds.

Danzy wrote: »

Go to Google play store and search for PlantNet, it's an app that will exam a photo and tell you what the plant is.

Very useful app thanks

Would any of you be put off buying a property that had knotweed growing on the site? I’ve seen a property I’m interested in with knotweed growing about 30 feet from the building. The costs for getting professionals in seems prohibitive but some of you here seem to be having success removing it yourselves. Am I mad to consider buying it?

Mooooo wrote: »

Yes, if going for mortgage as far as I know the bank won't give one if it's on the site

Sorry should have said I’m a cash buyer.

zac8 wrote: »

Would any of you be put off buying a property that had knotweed growing on the site? I’ve seen a property I’m interested in with knotweed growing about 30 feet from the building. The costs for getting professionals in seems prohibitive but some of you here seem to be having success removing it yourselves. Am I mad to consider buying it?

Personally, I'd have my surveyor check to ensure that foundations and other structural elements have not been impacted already. If that passes muster, then I'd want a healthy discount on the price, and would be happy to proceed and factor in remediation as a priority item.

zac8 wrote: »

Would any of you be put off buying a property that had knotweed growing on the site? I’ve seen a property I’m interested in with knotweed growing about 30 feet from the building. The costs for getting professionals in seems prohibitive but some of you here seem to be having success removing it yourselves. Am I mad to consider buying it?

Hi there. I am very successfully treating a fine batch of JKW which is across the road from my house. Thanks to all the help I got here ! Only a tiny patch grew this summer and that was because I just couldn't get near it due to overgrowth of briars last August. First spray was in August 2017 if memory serves me right and it was towering up over my head, I almost got lost in it. So not bad going. I keep a close eye on it though.

Would you actually have to get rid of this patch of JKW or could you just treat it ? Is it in the way of putting in a septic tank or extension ? If not you could just treat the area and cordon it off to ensure you don't disturb the soil.

I was a bit panicked at first when I saw JKW so close to me but now I'd actually be interested in buying that field if it came up for sale ! I'd say go for it if the price is right !

zac8 wrote: »

Thanks for that, very helpful. It wouldn’t need to be removed as its not in the way. Some of it is growing near a boundary so it probably means its also in the adjacent site which is owned by Coillte. That’s probably a bigger concern.

if you can be sure that its in the Coillte site, I'd imagine they'd be willing to eradicate it and all its outgrowths/spread..

bifl wrote: »

Have I left it late enough to go spraying with roundup. I know the roundup says wait till Aug/Sept and flowering and 1-1.5m high. Mine are small however on first year growth so at best 30cm high some are 15cmideal and less, I'm wondering will they flower at all and I've left it late enough in the year to spay.

Ideal time because the plants will be starting to store its food in the roots before the tops go into senescence. Great weather right now with the high pressure over the country and threat if rain reduced..

Nekarsulm wrote: »

I'd hit it now.
Weather is good and fairly settled, and any I'm watching has lots of greenery still.

So don't worry about waiting for flowering, as I say mine might be too small even to do that