How Quickly Does Japanese Knotweed Roots Spread and Grow
Japanese Knotweed is among the most fastest growing plant species that we have in the UK. Japanese Knotweed rhizome will exploit weaknesses and voids in structures and potentially can cause serious damage to buildings and roads that are within its roots vicinity. Educating yourself on this weed is crucial in helping you deal with it.
How does Japanese knotweed spread?
Although this plant produces seeds, it is very rare for these seeds to grow. The Japanese Knotweed spreads fast [primarily by dispersal of the crown, stem, and rhizomes (underground roots) of the plant. These can be spread in various ways the most common being through relocation of soil from an area that was infested by the plant to an area that previously did not have it. It is important to note that the size of the rhizome does not really matter as Japanese Knotweed are known to regrow from rhizomes as small as 0.7g.
How quickly does Japanese knotweed spread and grow?
How quickly does Japanese knotweed spread and grow?
The speed at which Japanese Knotweed spreads is astonishing fast, to say the least. This plant is known to grow as much as 10cm during the summer. This has rightfully earned it the title of the most fastest growing weed in the United Kingdom. Left unchecked, especially during the summer, the weed is going to grow at a very fast rate that will make taming it a tough challenge. Its growth rate also means that during the growing period, the plant might grow as much as one metre in less than three weeks. This brings to the fore the need to tame the plant’s growth once noted in your area.
How quickly does Japanese knotweed spread and grow?
How deep are Japanese knotweed roots?
Japanese Knotweed is not referred to as the most invasive weed in the UK for any flimsy reasons. This weed has an expansive root system that runs wide and deep. We have talked of how fast the stem of the plant can grow during the growing season, but that is not the only wonder of this plant as the rhizomes also have an impressive growth rate if left unchecked. Japanese Knotweed root systems are known to grow very fast, as much as three meters deep and seven metres wide. This, therefore, means that you will need to do extensive digging to uproot the plant entirely.
Can Japanese Knotweed spread on shoes?
It may be a reprieve for us in the UK that we only have the female Japanese Knotweed in the UK, and therefore no seeds can germinate from the plant, but this does not mean the plant can be eradicated easily. Japanese knotweed rhizomes are the main means by which the plant regrows. The sad fact is that just a small piece of the rhizome can be deadly and worse of all, can be spread through shoes. Stepping in an area that has Japanese Knotweed, the rhizomes can get stuck on your sole, and you can move with them to another area. Here, the plant will regrow and spread even farther in that area.
Japanese Knotweed is a highly invasive weed species that needs to be handled immediately the first traces of the plant have been identified in an area. This helps to avoid losses when property value depreciates due to the presence of the weed.