How to Grow Giant Bamboo

Giant bamboo grove

Giant bamboo is an amazing plant to grow. Huge stands will develop quickly, with tall towering culms measuring up to 7 or 8 inches in diameter. Once around them, you feel like you have entered a tropical forest with the rustling of the leaves and tightness of the straight growth. If you live in climate zone 7 or below, you should have no problem growing giant bamboo.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Locate a position in your yard where the bamboo will have at least a few hours of sunlight and preferably a natural border. The border can be a driveway or stream or pond, or even a mechanical boundary that you install underground.

2. Choose a variety that you like from a local or online nursery. There are several species available, including one that the Chinese use for eating, the Moso. Some flower, some have interesting stripes and all are hardy to 0 degrees or below.

3. Dig a hole at least as big as the root ball of your bamboo plant. Rough up the sides of the hole so that the roots will have an easier time spreading. The soil must be well-draining, or the roots will rot in wet conditions.

4. Insert the plant into the hole so it is sitting at the same depth as it was in the nursery. Replace the dirt that you removed previously from the hole and tamp it down to remove any air pockets. Mold a slight impression around the plant so water will flow toward the plant and not away from it.

5. Water the giant bamboo well at planting and then often during its first year. Let the soil dry out between watering but not for long periods.

6. Mulch the giant bamboo with good organic composted mulch of 4 to 6 inches for healthy growth. The mulch will help retain the moisture in the soil.

7. Control the bamboo by removing any shoots that spread out from the base. This can be accomplished by mowing, clipping, cutting with a spade or any similar method, but all of them are only as effective as they are consistent.

Resources

• JM Bamboo Nursery