How to Grow Bamboo
Planning the site
Bamboos are considered as giant grasses. Giant does not mean giant as big as 10 feet or 15 feet. Bamboos can grow as high as 20 feet to 40 feet. Choose a site that will accommodate its potential for high growth. If you are planning to plant running bamboos, choose a site that is not near a pond or a stream.
Preparing the site
Choose a soil that has a pH content of 6.0. Bamboos love to grow on acidic soil. Dig holes that are twice as big as their containers. When closing the hole, fill it with half soil and half supplementary compost. If planting running bamboos, place them in 8-10 foot center. If planting clumping bamboos, plant them more closely.
Required Materials
Materials required in planting bamboo are the basic gardening materials. Bamboos that are grown in containers can be bought. You may use these to start growing your own bamboos in your landscape.
Watering Requirements
In the first year of the bamboos’ growth, they should never dry out. Keep it watered daily if possible. If you see your bamboo leaves rolling up and forming tubes, they indicate that they are too dry. Water them right away.
Nutrients Required
Usually, bamboos love the feel of full sunlight. They grow quicker that way. However, there will be times that those bamboos would love some shade when it gets too hot.
When feeding the bamboos, give fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen to stimulate bamboo growth.
Seasons
The best season to plant bamboo is during springtime where the soil temperature is usually above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This soil temperature is good for the bamboo in establishing its growth.
Expectations
Planting bamboos take a lot of patience. You will not be able to appreciate the growth in height of the bamboos for the first two years. However, on the third year, you will begin to see why bamboos are called the giants of the grass family. This will be possible when they reach their full maturity.