Japanese knotweed treatment by stem injection - Station View, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
BlueSky Environmental Solutions were commissioned by Stoke on Trent City Council to eradicate Japanese knotweed growing within the boundary between an allotment and roadside verge at Station View, Meir, Stoke on Trent. Because of the close proximity of the allotment, stem injection treatment was regarded as the most effective way of eradication.
The stem injection system works by delivering a measured dose of concentrate herbicide into the centre of the plant rather than just to the surface. This means the treatment is extremely localised, only ever targeting the plants injected and preventing the environmental risk of drift spray, run off or contamination of watercourses and other sensitive vegetation. The weed will also absorb the concentrate into its rhizome (root) at a much faster rate than with folia spraying, providing a quicker resolution to the problem.
Although stem injecting is more labour intensive than conventional spraying, treatment times are significantly reduced and therefore eradication is quicker and more cost effective, as indicated by the recommended Japanese knotweed treatment schedule below:
Spraying – This should take place 4 times per year for a total of 4 years. The initial spraying should commence in May when the plant is 3 foot tall, and the final spraying should be in September just before the plant dies back for the winter. The two other sprayings should be within these dates during the summer.
Stem Injection – This should be carried out once a year for a total of two years. This should take place between June and August when the plant is at its strongest to support the treatment. A follow up visit should take place in September to treat any missed stems.
