Bamboo is easy to care for and versatile. It does not make great demands on the soil, but needs protection in winter.
Bamboo (Bambusoideae) is an easy-care ornamental grass, which can assume impressive proportions in the garden with good care. The giant grass also cuts a fine figure in the bucket and embellishes the balcony or terrace. Here it can also offer privacy protection. The exotic-looking grass is surprisingly well adapted to our climate and survives the winter in the garden unscathed. The vigorous giant grass looks particularly harmonious in Asian gardens and in connection with ponds and watercourses.
Occurrence of Bamboo
Bamboo grows in a broad belt that stretches around the equator from latitude 40 degrees south to latitude 40 degrees north. The bamboo can be found there in tropical forests up to a height of over 3000 meters above sea level.
Most bamboo species are native to Asia, where it is also deliberately cultivated. Incidentally, most of the varieties that we can grow here come from there. In addition, extremely interesting species can be found in South America, Africa and Australia. The diversity there ranges from climbing and hanging bamboo species to tree-dwelling species.
Special features of bamboo
Bamboo is one of the sweet grasses and is represented by over 1,500 species. These in turn are divided into three tribes:
- Bambuseae: woody bamboo species of the tropics and subtropics
- Olyreae: Herbaceous bamboo species of the tropics and subtropics
- Arundinarieae: temperate woody bamboo species
Root System of Bamboo
All bamboo species have a rhizome that grows underground and, like the culms, consists of nodes and internodes. Here, however, two growth forms are distinguished. There are clump-forming rhizomes and runner-forming rhizomes. The latter tend to spread uncontrollably and can even damage masonry or roads. To prevent this, the rhizomes must be cut off at least once a season. Alternatively, the bamboo can also be provided with a root barrier when planting.
Tip: If you forgot to stop the rhizomes when planting, you can also install the root barrier afterwards.
Plant Bamboo
Bamboo is commercially available as a container plant. The hardy plants can be planted all year round, with the exception of periods of frost or hot and dry summer days.
In general, spring is recommended as the best planting time. Then the bamboo has enough leeway to get used to its new location until winter and to form stable roots.
Suitable location for the bamboo
The bamboo feels good in both sun and penumbra. It is important to find a wind-protected location so that the stalks do not bend.
In single plantings, the imposing grass can display its charms. The medium-high varieties have proven themselves for growing in tubs. Small bamboo can be used as ground cover and as an underplant for trees and shrubs.
The ideal substrate for the bamboo
Bamboo is not picky about the choice of substrate. If the soil is particularly heavy and loamy or too sandy, you should still adapt the substrate to the growth conditions of the exotic plant.
In a substrate that is too sandy, bamboo runs the risk of drying out. This is favored by strong summer heat as well as by winter frosts.
Tip: Sandy soil can be consolidated by adding compost and rock flour.
Heavy clay soil Prevents irrigation water from running off. Here you can work in gravel or coarse sand. If you dig the planting hole a little deeper than necessary, a layer of gravel can be used as drainage.
Planting - step by step
The bottom of the planting hole should be loosened up well. Compost, humus or horse manure can be applied to the bottom layer of soil. The soil must be thoroughly cleaned of root weeds. Later, these are difficult to remove. The appearance of bindweed, which wraps itself around the stalks of the bamboo, is particularly annoying.
Proceed as follows for planting:
❶ Remove stones, weeds and root remains from the ground
❷ Water the plant
❸ Dig a planting hole 70 cm deep and twice the size of the plant container
❹ Excavate the earth with compost and Upgrade horn shavings
❺ Install root barrier if necessary
❻ Bamboouse
❼ Fill up the substrate
❽ Press down the soil well
❾ Water the bamboo generously
Water the bamboo correctly
Bamboo plants need plenty of water. Most species react sensitively to being too dry and signal this by leaf fall. Even during the cold season, the soil must not lose moisture. It is watered in winter only when there is no frost.
Fertilize bamboo properly
Bamboo has a high need for potassium and nitrogen. Therefore you should apply appropriate fertilization doses in spring at the beginning of the growing season.
Tip: There are special bamboo fertilizers on the market. Alternatively, a long-term fertilizer for the lawn also meets the plant's requirements.
An organic fertilizer with a mixture of compost or horn shavings also meets the nutrient requirements of the plants in spring. In autumn, lawn fertilizer can make bamboo fit for the winter. The high proportion of potassium makes the bamboo insensitive to frost damage.
An overview of the most important planting and care tips
| Measure | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Find location | • sun to partial shade • sheltered from the wind |
| Prepare substrate | • Fix sandy soil with compost or bentonite • Loosen heavy soil with gravel or sand |
| Casting | • pour plenty of water • also water in winter |
| Fertilize | • Bamboo or lawn fertilizer in spring • Compost and horn shavings annually |
Cutting Bamboo
Bamboo is only cut in its entire height if it is to be cultivated as a hedge at a certain height.
Tip: The cut stalks of the bamboo will not grow any further.
In order to maintain the growth habit of the plant, a pruning in spring is advisable. Old stalks that have lost their shape and shine are removed close to the ground. This creates space for the growth of new, he althy plant parts.
Propagate Bamboo
The bamboo can easily be propagated by division. The right time for this is spring. The plant must first be completely removed from the ground. This gives the hobby gardener the opportunity to check the roots and remove old or diseased parts of the plant.
To get a new plant, the root ball is divided with a sharp knife. theindividual rhizomes sprout reliably and can be transplanted again.
Overwinter bamboo
The winters are usually survived well. To counteract damage caused by frost, it is helpful if you wrap the bamboo in garden fleece. A layer of mulch around the plant provides additional protection against frost damage.
Tip: So that the bamboo does not dry out, the soil should be watered continuously before the first frost.
Protect potted plants from freezing with straw or coconut mats.
Cluster-forming bamboo species
As mentioned above, there are clump-forming and runner-forming bamboo species. Unfortunately, the latter tend to spread out of control if you don't root block them, or if you don't do it properly. Therefore, we would like to introduce you to some beautiful bamboo species that do not form runners.
Fountain umbrella bamboo (Fargesia nitida)
| Bamboo, fountain umbrella bamboo (Fargesia nitida) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 40 - 80 cm a year |
| Growth: | 300 - 400 cm |
| Growth: | 250 - 400 cm |
| Root system: | Shallow roots |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | nutrient-rich, permeable garden soil, no waterlogging |
| Special Features: | predestined for pond banks and streams, decorative container plant, no root barrier necessary, likes high humidity |
| Usage: | single position, groups, group trees, buckets |
Garden Bamboo 'Superjumbo' (Fargesia nitida)
| Garden Bamboo 'Superjumbo' (Fargesia nitida) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 20 - 50 cm a year |
| Growth: | 200 - 300 cm |
| Growth: | 150 - 250 cm |
| Root system: | Shallow roots |
| Location: | Penumbral shade to full shade |
| Floor: | drained, nutritious soil, slightly acidic, from moist to moderately dry |
| Special Features: | Quick privacy protection, no runners, sunny locations only with high humidity |
| Usage: | single position, hedge plant, layer protection |
Cane Grass (Fargesia murielae)
| Cane Grass (Fargesia murielae) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 20 - 40 cm a year |
| Growth: | 200 - 300 cm |
| Growth: | 100 - 250 cm |
| Root system: | Shallow roots |
| Location: | Penumbra |
| Floor: | drained, nutritious soil, slightly acidic, from moist to moderately dry |
| Special Features: | Clump-forming, therefore no rhizome barrier necessary, sunny location only with sufficient humidity |
| Usage: | Container, hedge, group plant, single position |