The best way of undoing Japanese knotweed
sir – Researchers have concluded that there is no way of successfully eradicating Japanese knotweed (report, April 26). I disagree.
Returning to our home after an absence of three years, we found that Japanese knotweed had taken hold in the garden. Our solution was to pull up and burn every plant, then check every day for new growth and destroy it.
This was especially important during the late summer into autumn, as the plant could not be allowed to photosynthesise and manufacture nutrients to be stored in the underground rhizomes.
We used no chemicals, and our dogs were free to run in the garden.
It was a long battle, but after three years we were totally free of the plant and it has not returned in the 30 years since.
Richard Knisely-marpole
Buxton, Derbyshire
SIR – I agree that Japanese knotweed is stubborn. For many years we had a patch that kept on no matter how many times it was mown.
Several years ago I made a determined effort with Glyphosate, spraying it on the plant four or five times a year. After three years it gave in and I’ve not seen it since. Jonathan Haynes
Oxford
SIR – Have the researchers not tried seawater? It works on triffids.
John Brandon
Tonbridge, Kent