Bamboo Care
Selection of the site
Select the position for your bamboo carefully. Most bamboo is reasonably well behaved, like the clump forming bamboos of the genus Fargesia, Phyllostachys and Semiarundinaria. Height is probably the most important factor you will need to consider, as well as the amount of sun received - contrary to popular belief, not all bamboo likes to be in full sun! Fargesias in particular are partial to a bit of shade.
Some bamboo, as you will doubtless know already, are rather rampant spreaders and will often need plenty of space or containing to prevent them from spreading too far. Mostly these are of the genus Sasa. Containing can be done by planting into a large pot, although this means extra watering and feeding, or by sinking barriers to a depth of approximately ½ metre all around the plant.
Planting
Dig a large hole, twice the depth and spread of the rootball of the plant, this will give the bamboo open ground in which to establish itself over the first few years. Dig in plenty of organic matter, (we use mushroom compost or well-rotted manure) particularly if your ground is sandy or poor in nutrients. Plant the bamboo so that the rootball is buried maybe an inch (2-3 cm) under the surface as this will provide stability and help retain water. Bamboo will survive almost anywhere, but will do exceptionally well if given plenty of healthy nutritious food and water.
Aftercare
Water your bamboo well until the plant is established and feed every other year in late spring (i.e. after the first shoots have emerged and reached full height), preferably with a mulch of well-rotted manure or a multi-nutrient feed.
With Phyllostachys and Semiarundinaria bamboos, which have more open groves with strong outstanding culms, every two to three years remove the smaller, weaker canes. This leaves the more upright stronger culms to show off their best and allows more light into the centre of the grove. With Fargesia and other clump forming bamboos this is usually not necessary, although the new Fargesia utilis with its strong sturdy culms may need a little attention. Some dwarf bamboos may benefit from cutting back to the ground in mid-spring as the new growth appears to help promote leaf growth and vigorous shooting.
