Planting

Once the appropriate species has been selected, one must prepare the site for planting. Soil preparation includes loosening the soil, adding any necessary amendments, and placing the plant in the hole. This should be rather simple but is often the most overlooked aspect of the process. If the soil does not drain well, or is heavy due to clay or compaction, add coarse sand or other drainage/aerating amendments.

Bamboo responds well to supplemental watering, so the incorporation of organic material, such as compost, to all soil types to assist with moisture retention and drainage is very beneficial. Fertilizers can be added to the backfill material, since bamboo are heavy feeders.

Plant during a cool rainy season, if possible, or just before this can be predicted. As a general rule of thumb, bamboo planted just before their active shooting period transplant more enthusiastically than those planted during the fragile shooting stage (leading to shoot abortion and easily subjected to mechanical injury). Once new shoots have hardened off and culms have branched and leafed, plants are easier to handle and transplant.

The depth at which to plant the new plant is not as critical as with other plants. Deeper planting can help stimulate dormant buds on basal nodes and also anchor the plant from rocking significantly from winds. Clumping bamboo exhibit “tillering”, common in many other grasses, this actually is encouraged by deeper planting. However, if soils do not drain quickly, new plants should be set higher, on a mound. Alternately, if soils are fast draining, set plants in a shallow depression and create a “saucer” around the top of the hole to hold water near the root zone.

After the new plant has been back-filled, soak the plant several times and top-dress with an organic mulch to conserve water and keep the soil temperature consistent. The frequency and amount of watering after planting will depend on site conditions, i.e. soil texture, sun exposure, wind exposure, competition from nearby roots, air temperature, etc. Some bamboo will quickly roll their leaves, indicating drought stress, but this can also be a reaction to strong sun. Best advice is to investigate the actual soil moisture content and water accordingly.

Please note: Bamboos come in two forms clumping and running. Running bamboo needs to be contained, click here to learn more.

Watering

Bamboo respond to water, no question. This is especially important upon establishment of new plants. Adequate water will ensure survival, and more water will bring larger, faster development. Again, site conditions prevail. Regular watering throughout the growing season, especially during new shoot season, brings the best results. Most temperate bamboo appreciate a minimum of an inch of water per week, during active growing months.

Staking

Newly planted bamboo sometimes require staking, particularly if they are of the taller growing types, like Phyllostachys. Since these plants have not established a cohesive network of rhizomes to support their height, wind can wreak havoc and topple over the new specimen. Use three or more posts and connect with strong rope between the culms, breast-high, with some “give” to allow gentle swaying. Take care to protect the surface of the culms with some soft cloth or burlap, so scarring does not occur. Using bamboo canes as staking helps some in camouflaging the artifice, and aesthetic considerations can add interest to the staking rather than detract from the clump. Tight control of the culms can lead to breakage, so be careful not to secure the plant too tightly. This is especially true in areas that experience snowy winters.

After the first year, any staking can be removed, as the rhizomes have taken hold and a healthy root system should be enough to hold the plant up. Part of the process of establishment in the first year is growth that is somewhat “limp”. Typically, larger stature bamboo like Phyllostachys take at least 3 or more years to attain some maturity (in cold areas, it may take 10 years to reach maturity). The first year, new shoots may emerge as wispy, grass-like branches, not the desired strong-as-steel vertical culms. There is no sense in trying to stake these culms, rather tolerate them with appreciation, as they are collecting and storing food for the future culms, and should not be removed until future year’s growth supplement the planting. Once the root system has developed extensively, stored lots of carbohydrates, can the planting produce impressive size culms. Be patient. As fast as the fastest-growing- plant- in- the- world can grow, sometimes this takes time.

Fertilization

Bamboo are grasses, and grasses thrive on good nutrition. They are also adaptable, and can be neglected and still survive. However, if you want your bamboo to thrive and flourish annual applications of slow-release fertilizers, composted manures, or any organic topdressing will bring happy bamboo.

Mulch protect bamboo roots from extremes in temperature and soil moisture, and the breakdown of organic mulch benefit the soil structure and provide important nutrients. The natural annual shedding of the bamboo leaf canopy provides the perfect mulch. Do not remove these leaves; they provide all the necessary nutrients the bamboo need.

Once established, bamboo are incredibly resilient and drought resistant. They are survivors. They tolerate neglect, abuse, and extremes. If all the vital characteristics were explored upon selection, such as cold / heat / sun tolerance, and if initial watering requirements were met, bamboo are a very long-lived plant and will be a part of the landscape for many decades.

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