Bamboo, a symbol of good fortune in Asian cultures, is a beautiful grass that adds much to home gardens. The tall stalks with slim evergreen leaves are actually considered a grass. There are about 2,000 varieties of bamboo and the different types can grow to diverse heights. One kind of bamboo is known to grow almost 100 feet tall. Ordinarily, most bamboo plants average less than 14 feet tall and some types are small enough to be grown indoors or on a patio, in shallow pots.
These grasses are rapid growers and some types will produce up to 20 feet of new greenery in a year. Bamboo is excellent as a privacy screen, but select the variety carefully and get a type that won’t easily invade the neighbor’s property. The stalks are strong and woody and are very useful in other parts of the garden as stakes and trellises.
Selection
When selecting bamboo, make sure to research the variety. If buying from a garden center or getting plants from another person, ask plenty of questions so the plant will be right for the climate and intended purpose. There are hundreds of varieties of bamboo and their characteristics are suitable for many different things. Smaller types are good for containers. Other varieties are good at withstanding winter cold. Consider how much sun the bamboo plot will get and if necessary get a type that can tolerate part shade.
The main concern with bamboo is whether to select a clumping or running type. Clumping bamboo grows in a compact plant, is more easily contained and will spread only a few inches each year. This type is better for privacy screens or in other situations where quick spreading bamboo might cause problems. It can also grow densely and block out some noise. Clumping bamboo also grows well in pots, making it an excellent choice for a patio plant. Running bamboo is best for large areas. It can spread several feet or even yards during a growing season. This makes a charming border for streams and ponds and the water will stop it from spreading.
Planting Bamboo
Consider the plot where the bamboo will be planted. There should be plenty of room for it to spread. Like most plants, bamboo prefers rich, well-drained soil. Loamy soil that is slightly acidic is best but the plant can adapt to other soils. Bamboo can tolerate part shade but does best in full sun.
Plant bamboo at any time the soil is likely to remain above 40 degrees for a long enough time for the plant to establish roots, which takes about 4-6 weeks. When planting the bamboo, dig the hole twice as wide as, but only as deep as the container. After putting the plant into the hole, make sure the soil is at the original level that it was in the container. Water the bamboo regularly so the plant doesn’t dry out. Wait until the plant is established before fertilizing it or it may be burned.
Controlling Runners
Some bamboo with runners can be very invasive. Running bamboos are propagated by rhizomes, which are shoots that grow horizontally underground and then come up to the surface. Rhizomes mostly grow in late summer to early fall. Building a containment system will help control these shoots. If edgings are used that should be buried at least a couple of feet underground. Wide sidewalks can also help contain bamboo. An easy way to remove rhizomes is to dig a ditch that is at least a foot deep and 4-5 inches wide. Fill it with mulch and periodically draw a strong stick through it. It will bring up any errant runners and make them easy to trim off.
Watering and Maintenance
Bamboo needs sufficient water and the leaves will roll up into a tubular shape when the plant needs it. Fertilize the plant early in the year, in February or March, for best results. At about this time prune out some of the oldest growth so that light and air can get to the new shoots. The leaves from the previous year will drop in the spring. Let them lie around the base of the plant because they provide both mulch and nutrients. Also in the spring, new shoots emerge and new leaves replace the old ones. Proper maintenance should keep the bamboo healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Resources
Growing Bamboo from the Gardeners Network
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