-
Step 1
You can identify the Abyssinian bamboo by its bright green, zigzag-shaped culms. It is an evergreen, which means that this plant does not turn color or loose its foliage in the fall. It does spread, so make sure there is plenty of room for this bamboo. It can grow to 30 feet in height.
-
Step 2
Plant the Abyssinian bamboo in a sandy to clay loam mix with a pH of 6.5 to 8. It should be planted in part shade to full sun (i.e., the plant should have more than six hours of continuous sun per day.) It tolerates heat and humidity quite well.
-
Step 3
Fertilize young Abyssinian bamboos with a fertilizer that contains extra phosphorus to encourage root growth. Once the plant has established itself, fertilize once every few years with an all purpose fertilizer. If a soil test comes back showing that it needs a nutrient, you can use a specialized fertilizer.
-
Step 4
Prune the Abyssinian bamboo as needed, removing old or dead wood. Prune for old or dead wood in the spring and then as needed throughout the growing season. If you do not want the bamboo to spread, pinch off the new growth as it comes up.
-
Step 5
Water enough to keep the soil moist, but not drenched. Give the Abyssinian bamboo about an inch of water per week. Be sure to water it deep enough to reach the roots and to promote root growth.
