Lawn & Garden - Bamboo Plant Care
About Bamboo Plant Care
Introduction
Bamboo is a forest plant with more than 1,200 known species. And because it has many different species, it is difficult to discuss specific bamboo plant care rules that apply to all types.
Like other house plants, bamboo require well-drained soil rich in nutrients, sufficient light, adequate humidity, and fertilizer. With just a little care and attention, bamboo plants have an amazing ability to thrive and delight.
Soil
Most bamboo are happiest in a moderately acidic loamy soil and do best when mulch is kept over the roots and rhizomes. Almost any organic material is good mulch. A low-growing shade-tolerant groundcover plant and other organic materials like compost, hay and grass can be used as mulch. Bamboo leaves are also considered to be good mulch as they keep the soil soft and moist and can supply necessary natural chemicals necessary to the bamboo plant.
Climatic Condition
bamboo can be planted at any time of the year in areas with mild climates. In colder parts of the world, bamboo should be planted outdoors early enough to become established and to harden off sufficiently to survive their first winter. To protect the plant from cold and drying winds, soil must be covered with heavy layer of bamboo leaves to provide heavy mulch.
Considerable yellowing of leaves followed by leaf drop often occurs during spring time but this should not cause alarm, because bamboo are ever green and renew their leaves each spring.
Water
It is important to find the plant’s natural rhythm to determine the correct water requirement of the bamboo plant. Lack of sufficient water especially during hot weather is the leading cause of poor growth for new bamboo plants and may even lead to its death.
Over watering, on the other hand, causes the new culms to rot at the base and can eventually kill the plant. But once the bamboo plant has matured and has reached its optimum growth, it will survive with much less irrigation.
bamboo do best with ample water, especially during their growing seasons. Newly planted bamboo need frequent and liberal watering, usually twice a week during mild weather, and perhaps even daily during hot or windy weather. Plants less than 5 gallon pot size must get at least ½ gallon of water while for plants over 5 gallon size, more than 1 gallon is advised.
Fertilizing
Bamboo plant grows rapidly and it must be fed regularly on a timely routine. Fertilizer not only helps bamboo obtain its optimum growth but it also makes bamboo plant a healthy attractive vigorous plant. Bamboo responds well to lawn food which is high in nitrogen. Fertilizer must be applied in a small amount often rather than a lot at once.
Pruning
Bamboo like other plants must be pruned to maintain its attractiveness and to keep it looking at its best. Bamboo culms live only to about 15 years and it is recommended that older unattractive culms be removed once a year. It may be trimmed in topiary fashion, which is topping the culms, removing some lower branches and shortening some side branches. Culms and branches that have been cut will not grow back but will grow more leaves. Bamboo may also be cut to form a hedge which can be best done after the new culms grow to full height in the spring or summer.
Very tall and slender bamboo should be staked to prevent wind from uprooting them and damaging newly formed roots.
