How to Grow Bamboo

Bamboo has a bad reputation for growing out of control. What a pity, because this elegant, hardy plant is perfect for screening unpleasant views or adding an Asian element to a garden. There are two main types of bamboo: running and clumping. How you plant depends on what type of bamboo you wish to grow.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden Shears
• 5 gallon plastic nursery container
• lawn fertilizer (high nitrogen)

1. Select bamboo plants that are container bound. Unlike other plants, the more crowded the roots, the faster bamboo will grow.

2. Plant bamboo in full sun or partial shade. Running varieties send rhizomes away from the parent plant before sending up vertical shoots. Clumping-types of bamboo will send up vertical shoots from short rhizomes and grow up from the outer edges of the parent plant.

3. Plant running-type bamboo in 5 gallon plastic containers with the bottom cut out to prevent it from going wild in your garden.

4. Water bamboo copiously to promote rapid growth. The more water bamboo receives, the faster it will become established.

5. Fertilize frequently with lawn fertilizer to help establish newly planted bamboo. Related to grass, bamboo responds very well to fertilizer high in nitrogen.

6. Remove dead canes as they appear. Individual canes will live for several years, but should be cut out close to the ground when they die.

Tips & Warnings

• Bamboo is available in hundreds of varieties in many sizes. Check the American Bamboo Society web site for nursery locations.
• Most bamboo grows slowly for the first several years. As the plants mature, growth speeds up.
• Rhizomes will not spread into dry soil.
• To restrict the size of your bamboo, hold back water and fertilizer.
• Bamboo is a messy plant. The leaves drop continuously throughout the year.
• Contain running bamboo with plastic or metal barriers to prevent the rhizomes from spreading. Don't forget to put down barriers on your neighbor's side of the fence too!