Knotweed can green areas in no time at all and visually enhance them. But this requires the right care, because the climbing star has to be kept in check.
The knotweed (Fallopia baldschuanica) manages to green any possible area in no time at all and enhances it with its delicate white floral decoration. The plant is not only vigorous, but also quite undemanding in terms of location and soil quality. Nevertheless, there are not only advantages for the hobby gardener. If the knotweed is not put in its place, it can quickly gain the upper hand and crowd other plants out of the garden.
Location and Ground
Your choice of location is up to you. The knotweed can make friends with a sunny or semi-shady location and even thrives in the shade without any problems. The plant also makes no demands with regard to soil quality. If you want to stimulate growth, a nutrient-rich substrate is ideal.
Note:
It is a deep rooter. Planted outdoors, the roots reach up to two meters deep into the ground.
Knotweed in the garden - pros and cons
As mentioned before, cultivation does not only bring benefits. In the following overview we have compared what speaks for and against the climbing plant.
| ✔ Pro | ✘ Cons |
|---|---|
| • undemanding (location and substrate) • fast growing • easy to care for | • dominant • crowds out other plants • can damage trees and gutters |
The knotweed is rather unsuitable for mixed greening. Since the plant can develop a powerful trunk that can knock down trees or pipes, do not forget to prune the knotweed.
Planting knotweed - step by step instructions
- Set Location
- Note the distance to other plants, downpipes and gutters
- Prepare the ground
- Dig a planting hole twice the width and depth of the root ball
- Insert plant
- Fill substrate
- Press the earth
- Watering knotweed
The provision of a climbing aid is associated with the planting. The knotweed needs this help because it doesn't have suction cups. However, the climbing aid should be installed at least 1.5 meters from trees, gutters, masonry, downspouts and other vulnerable components.
Knotweed as a container plant
If the knotweed is cultivated in a bucket, the plant's growth potential and dominance can be better controlled. However, it is important that you choose a suitable planter. A large planter is necessary, for example, to give the plant the necessary stability. The planter should also be provided with drainage. This will prevent the liquid from accumulating in the planter and causing the roots to rot.
Knotweed care
The knotweed is one of the most easy-care plants in the garden bed. You don't need to water the knotweed because its long roots allow it to obtain sufficient moisture from the soil, even if there is no rain for a long time.
He doesn't need fertilizer either. If you still provide the plant with an extra portion of nutrients, the knotweed will quickly outgrow you and will be difficult to contain. Once this has happened, controlling the plant can become a problem. While you can cut back the knotweed completely, the only way to get rid of the taproots is to completely dig up your garden.
❍ Cut creeper:
The knotweed shows a pronounced joy of growth. With a growth height of up to 30 centimeters per day, you can practically watch the knotweed grow. So if you don't stand by with the scissors, the willingness to grow will quickly take on unimagined proportions. In late winter it is therefore time for a radical pruning.
If the plant is bare, it is also necessary to cut back to promote sprouting and stimulate flowering.
❍ Multiply knotweed:
If you want to propagate the knotweed, you can cut woody cuttings in February. You can combine this with pruning the plant. You can simply put the cuttings in the ground and wait for the rooting.
❍ Overwintering knotweed:
The plant is hardy. In extreme cold, however, it is still advisable to use a cover made of leaves or twigs.
Potted plants threaten to freeze through in winterand to deprive the plant of its food base. Wintering in a frost-free room is therefore very important.