|
| I planted black bamboo along my back fence hoping that it would continue along the fence, but it has grown straight out into the yard. Does it grow north to south instead of east to west? Can I move it now? I tried to move a young shoot last year and it died. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by kentuck_8b z8b TX (My Page) on Mon, Apr 26, 10 at 22:40
| Bamboo will grow in any direction that has desireable growing conditions. I've transplanted black bamboo(P. nigra) at all times of the year with success, but the big trick to that is to get enough rootball around the culms(s). Best times for success in transplanting are in early Spring or late Fall, or when the plant is dormant(Winter). During transplanting, do NOT let the rootball dry out before replanting. I think that is the most common reason for losing a transplant. After re-planting, keep watered well. Kt |
|
| I'd like to expand on thing in kentuck's excellent answer. Bamboo is not like other plants: new shoots are too fragile to survive. They do not have a significant root structure, and severing the connection to the main plant is like cutting an umbilical cord. You generally only have luck with a division surviving if you select a mature, fully-leafed out culm with adequate root mass. If I'm doing a division, I typically select a chunk with one or more culms that are at least a year old, and on average I take a root ball about the size of a soccer ball. |
|
| The other thing to note is that the bamboo you planted could also have grown straight under the fence into your neighbor's yard (or whatever is over there). Besides upsetting neighbors, it's also one of the reasons bamboo has such a bad reputation with many people. You should take steps to avoid this with either rhizome barrier or rhizome pruning a few times each year. The rhizomes of running bamboos can extend much farther than the shoots indicate. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Bamboo Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.