Bamboo Newsletter 5

Welcome to the 5th issue of the Bamboo Inspiration newsletter.

Summer and Bamboo

The focus of Bamboo Newsletter 5 will be on the summer months, caring for bamboo during this season, followed by a look at some of the other bamboo products that compliment this time of year. If you are in a country where it is not summer, I do hope that this newsletter will also be of benefit to you, even if it is for future reference.

Summer and Bamboo Plants

Although it is usual to plant bamboo in the spring, it is also acceptable to plant during the summer provided you will not be disppointed if you do not see very much growth until the following spring. You will also need to take a little extra care of the plants to make sure they do not dry out if the weather does get hot.

You can plant bamboos at practically any time of the year if you live in a mild climate. In countries that have harsh winters they need to be planted as early in the year as possible to enable them enough time to get established and to harden off in time for the winter weather. Keep it in mind that when planted later in the year they may need some winter protection

Planting and Caring for Bamboo Plants in Summer

Position / Location

Be sure to note the different species requirements in relation to shade, sun, weeds, water, and wind. Make an assessment on the amount of spare time you have to care for the plants when choosing species and position in the garden.

Sun

Larger bamboo species will grow faster and thrive in full sun but some smaller species will benefit from more of a dappled shade when it is hot and protection from high winds. This is particularly relative to young or smaller plants.

Water

Although bamboo plants may not need lots of water, they will need some access to water, the amount being dependent on specific requirements of the species. Bamboos do not do well in waterlogged conditions. Essentially, check the water supply in the area you are looking to plant the bamboo, if it is a wet area be sure to pick species that do like a lot of water, if it is an exposed and dry location pick a species that prefers full sun and not very much water. If you have, or are considering, container bamboos the watering regime will be different so please see my section on container bamboo plants for more information.

Weeds

If you have a lot of weeds around your plants they will compete for the nutrients and water. Do protect your younger plants, smaller species, and newly planted bamboos, against being taken over by weeds until they are established and strong.

Spreading

Species of clumping bamboo are better if you are not looking for a bamboo plant that will spread out of the area allocated to them. Thamnocalamus and Fargesia are hardy species of the clumping type and will not spread. These can also be planted in a container. The majority of other species of hardy bamboo that are of the running type, can spread via underground rhizomes. Be sure to check the spreading habits of the species before you buy them. If you already have an aggressively running type of bamboo please see my sections on pruning and control and containment for tips on maintaining aggressive spreaders.

Spacing

This is a quick guide to how to space your plants to allow the bamboos to reach their full potential. Any gaps will soon get filled as they establish.

Approximately 3ft apart - Dwarf species
Approximately 6ft apart - Shrub size species
Approximately 10ft apart - Tall bamboo species
Between 15ft and 25ft apart - Giant and timber species

Planting

Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball, and double the width.
Mix part of the dug out soil with some compost at a 50/50 mix.
If the plant is in a pot, ease it out gently and do not damage the roots.
Place the root ball into the hole, checking the level of soil is at the same level as the ground.
Support the culms while you fill the hole gently with the soil/compost mix, press down so it is is in the right position and planted fairly tightly.
Water the plant until the ground is well soaked
Ensure that the new planting doesn't dry out on hot days during the summer period to enable it to establish a root system that will support it for many years. Mulching is great to help retain some moisture in the soil, around 3-4 inches of wood or bark chippings for example.

Stakes

If the species you are planting is one of the taller ones, it may be a good idea to give them a stake until they are established. This will ensure they do not get uprooted in any high wind and will prevent damage to the roots. You can put short stakes on three to four sides of the plant, and to steady them tie a rope to the culms. This can be removed once they are established. It will depend on the size of the root system and if the plant is in a sheltered or exposed location.

Mulch

Bamboo is a forest plant and as such will do best with a good layer of mulch covering its roots that will also protect the roots from the cold or heat. It's a good idea to leave any fallen leaves under the plant as they also help with maintaining moisture in the soil, as well as recycling natural chemicals needed by bamboos to maintain growth and health. If you think fallen leaves are unsightly, plant a shade loving and low ground cover plant, the leaves will fall through and be hidden from view.

Grass is high in silica and nitrogen and therefore good mulch. Other mulches include, manure that is not fresh or too hot, tree chippings, or commercial compost.

Bamboo Products for Summer

Here are a few links to bamboo products covered in sections of my website that are related to the summer season...

Bamboo Inspiration Web Site

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