Japanese Knotweed

[fbcpmike]

At least Triffids were of some use.
This hybrid supposes knotweed is cross pollinating with the Russian Vine, any geneticists out there like to comment ?. I thought it could only be polinated with it'self and that there were no male knotweeds ouside of Japan.

If it gets the vines speed of growth and the knotweed resistance to control we really will be in the brown stuff !.

[Diane]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

Just in case you thought it - Japanese knotweed - had gone away. I've just been listening to a prog. on Radio 4 and apparently there is now a hybrid cross between the knotweed and Russian Vine. Whatever next? Trifids?

We were listening to this programme in the office. Someone called to tell us it was to be on.

I agree with fbcpmike, it will be hard to control if it spreads like the vine, which presumably is also an alien!! The JK that we see around the country are female plants. New growth is purely by rhizome spread, which is why it's essential that every trace is removed when treating the area to get rid of it. A piece the size of a fingernail is enough to get it on the march again.

[henrya]

Quote
Just in case you thought it - Japanese knotweed - had gone away. I've just been listening to a prog. on Radio 4 and apparently there is now a hybrid cross between the knotweed and Russian Vine. Whatever next? Trifids?
Endquote

Radio 4 are really on the ball, aren't they? This hybrid has been in cultivation in Britain since 1872, and first found in the wild in 1954.

henrya

[henrya]

Quote
Radio 4 are really on the ball, aren't they? This hybrid has been in cultivation in Britain since 1872, and first found in the wild in 1954.
Endquote

Whoops, got the wrong hybrid - the above refers to the one between JK and Giant Knotweed. The one between JK and Russian Vine has been known since 1987. Though hybrid seed can be quite common, seedlings have difficulty surviving winter.

henrya