Balsam starting to flower

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Two points.

First. As I understand it the main problem is the erosion of the banks in water courses.

Second. Just because it is useful to us as beeks the wider UK picture has to be considered, and there seems to be evidence of its environmental damage.

It would be a difficult world if every minority interest could dictate what it wanted.

As a fisherman and beekeeper I can honestly say I've argued with myself on this subject! Himalayan balsam is a pain as it is such a vigorous invasive plant - but if it didn't have an affinity for river banks or shallow roots I'd have no problems with it - It's fairlly pretty compared with Knotweed and apart from spreading everywhere - so what - we can deal with that. But because it is so shallow rooted and it kills off most other deep rooted plants essential to riverbank stability and therefore a riparian ecological disaster it is a big problem.
Looking forward to the balsam flow on my river now as my honey last year was primarily balsam and superb (have a balsam apiary lined up for next year)

 

[aberreef]

All the balsom I saw on my travels yesterday was nowhere near flowering, only about 1/2 grown so far

Bramble has just started to flower around my apiary so hopefully a chance of a crop yet. Rain forecast for the entire week though

 

[The Cumbrian]

I've argued with myself on this subject! Himalayan balsam is a pain as it is such a vigorous invasive plant - but if it didn't have an affinity for river banks or shallow roots I'd have no problems with it

That is basically how I feel about it. However it can't be guaranteed to remain away from water courses if allowed to flower freely away from them.

While easily removed it is left to others to volunteer and remove it (in most cases).

 

[Swarm]

I've heard a lot about erosion but witnessed very little. Plenty of HB in these parts and much more a bit further West. Vast swathes of it but not much evidence of erosion or crowding out.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I've heard a lot about erosion but witnessed very little. Plenty of HB in these parts and much more a bit further West. Vast swathes of it but not much evidence of erosion or crowding out.

Early days yet just wait a few years

 

[simonwig]

Hi

We can't have our cake and expect to eat honey. If we object to environmental damage that (potentially) harms bees - insecticides, herbicides, reducing 'weeds' that provide pollen (OK not everyone does object, but I certainly do) then the beneficial alien species should also be objected to.

Himalayan Balsam, to quote the Environment Agency, "Himalayan balsam plants grow in dense stands that suppress the growth of native grasses and other flora. In autumn the plants die back, leaving the banks bare of vegetation, and therefore liable to erosion."

What's more, "Himalayan balsam is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow this species to grow in the wild."

Now I know there are some who think anything to do with government is corrupt and to be ignored - but my perspective is native wildlife is to be preserved and protected, which (and as I write this it sounds slightly xenophobic) means control of alien species.

Simon

 

[VEG]

So who exactly is checking all the land that it grows on and is taking them to court for 'allowing it to grow" loads of it around my area and loads on council owned land.
Can I ask also what is regarded as "the wild" in this case.
If it is not "the wild" then is it still an offence to let it grow there?

Just asking as there are rules there but who enforces them, as far as I can see no one.

 

[Hawklord]

Due to the lack of rain last year it didn't grow very well.

 

[Les]

The lad in the next allotment to me has tried his best to get rid of all things ‘not native’ to the UK.
He has managed to remove – by himself amongst other plants thousands upon thousands of Balsam plants around our allotments. I joke to him that it costs him plenty of jars of free honey. He now has a full time job and finds little time to eradicate all things not native and the Balsam has to a certain extent recovered.

 

[simonwig]

Can I ask also what is regarded as "the wild" in this case.

Well according to the guidance, "the wild" is “The diverse range of natural and semi-natural habitats and their associated wild native flora and fauna in the rural and urban environments in general. This can also be broadly described as the general open environment.”

You can grow it in your garden, so long as you keep it under control.

As for who enforces it - well no-one really, sadly!

Simon

 

[madasafish]

You can grow it in your garden, so long as you keep it under control.



Simon

Hmm that statement qualifies for joke of the week

I had two HB plants in my garden last year. The bees loved them and they were over 2 metres tall due to the heat and rich soil.

This year I have spent hours removing literally thousand of small plants from everywhere within a 10 metres radius of where the plants were last year.. and as some seed landed in the compost heap... they popped up in odd places.

I am determined to have none flower in my garden this year. Control is a real pia. If that's two plants I shudder to think of more..

 

[simonwig]

I think you've just got the 'invasive' bit of the problem!

 

[Hivemaker.]

Attractive lttle flowers to the bees this Balsam, its spread quite effectively in the last 170 years with the help of man,wonder how they mange to control it in its native land, with all the damage it causes.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think you've just got the 'invasive' bit of the problem!

Exactly! as I said, looks nice, bees love it, gives great honey but unfortunately it shouldn't be here - I know we'll never get rid of it all but it does need controlling. I've seen it go from nothing to blanket coverage in five years or less.

 

[simonwig]

Attractive lttle flowers to the bees this Balsam, its spread quite effectively in the last 170 years with the help of man,wonder how they mange to control it in its native land, with all the damage it causes.

In it's native land there are lots of natural controls, various beatles, catapillars and diseases that keep it under control. It causes no where near the damage there that it does here due to the lack of natural controls. See http://bit.ly/Lu26zC for a video of scientists researching for natural controls that might be of use in the UK.

Simon

 

[The Cumbrian]

In it's native land there are lots of natural controls, various beatles, catapillars and diseases that keep it under control. It causes no where near the damage there that it does here due to the lack of natural controls. See http://bit.ly/Lu26zC for a video of scientists researching for natural controls that might be of use in the UK.

Simon

This is the problem with all introduced species.

Rabbits aren't native to the UK and can be quite a problem and we have many of the natural predators etc. Take them to a place like Australia and the wreak havoc.

 

[VEG]

The problem if they introduce these natural controls will be if they jump species imagine the introduced insect taking a fancy to some other commercial crop

 

[The Cumbrian]

The problem if they introduce these natural controls will be if they jump species imagine the introduced insect taking a fancy to some other commercial crop

Agreed, however the search (as I understand it) is for a species specific control organism. There are a number of biological controls used in gardening which haven't caused any problems, so it *may* be achievable.

 

[VEG]

Are they trying to do this with knotweed as well?

 

[The Cumbrian]

Are they trying to do this with knotweed as well?

As far as I know - Yes