Cultivation

Placed in a suitable location bamboos require only a minimum care and because they are growing rapidly they can make beautiful plants in a few years.

Location and soil  Ideal location is the one with plenty of moisture and sun protected against northern and eastern winds. Tall species require maximum sun, smaller bamboos and high mountain fargesias prefer some shade. Winter conditions are essential as the combination of heavy frost, wind and sun can cause a lot of damage. Bamboos are not particular regarding the soil. They grow equally well in slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil. Rather than pH, physical structure of the soil is more important. Heavier soils hold moisture and nutrients longer but they are slow to warm up. Light sandy soils warm up quickly but lose water very fast during summer months.

Watering  Bamboos require ample supply of water during the active growth but they resent stagnant moisture. It is necessary to provide sufficient water in the periods of drought. Rolling of leaves is a sign of extreme temperature and a shortage of water. Older plants in a good condition withstand short periods of drought without any problems.

Fertilizing  Bamboos, just like many grasses, respond very well to high amounts of nutrients, especially nitrogen. First application of fertilizer can be made in spring  just before shooting. Second application is made when the growth of new culms is completed. Organic fertilizers based on horse or cow manure are preferable but mineral fertilizers with higher amount of nitrogen can also be used. A silicon, an important nutrient,
is deposited in all parts of bamboo. Most soils contain plenty of silicon so any extra addition of silicates is unnecessary.  Winterizing fertilizer (with high potassium) can be used at the end of summer. This will speed up hardening off tissues and help bamboos prepare for the winter.

Mulching  Because bamboos have rather shallow root system, mulching can be very useful. It serves as a protection against drying of soil, growth of weeds and winter freezing. It provides bambooos with important nutrients and humus. Any organic matter can be used from crushed pine bark, branches, old wood to cut grass, conifer needles and straw. The sooner we start with mulching the better. Be generous. Fallen bamboo leaves will replace the mulch on a surface in no time. Do not remove it. Apart from looking natural, dry bamboo leaves contain important nutrients.

Rhizome barrier Running bamboos have a tendency to cover large areas if left on their own and this is not welcome especially in the small gardens. A rhizome barrier can be used for the enclosure of bamboos in a given area. It is a black plastic foil made of HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene) 65 cm wide joined by screws and nuts. Its durability is very high. Growing bamboo in a rhizome barrier is practically carefree. Running bamboos can also be grown without a barrier. In autumn at the end of active growth cut throught the desired border with a sharp spade . Young rhizomes detached from the mother plant are not fully developed at this time and will die. Any extra growth outside the border is removed after shooting in spring.

 

Culling of culms  When they get established and grow up bamboos require only a minimum care and it is culling of culms.  Culms as they get older lose their function and obstruct the development of the new often bigger culms. By removing of the old, thin or damaged culms we let more light inside the plant and thus stimulate the formation of the new shoots. Removal of culms is best done in the period of dormancy. Be careful not to remove more than a third of the total culms as this may affect further development of a plant. For this reason culling of culms is usually started no sooner than 3-4 years after planting. Clumping bamboos are best left to grow naturally.