Addicted to Bamboo

10 years ago

Over the years I have used this web site form from time to time. I enjoy the information here. I have the urge to buy more and more varieties of bamboo. What is stopping me, buying more would cause me to redo my lawn irrigation along with bringing in micro irrigation for the dry months. Even if I had the irrigation solved, I would take my time on planning out the layout. I have thought of dividing my 1/2 acre back yard up into 'rooms' by rows of bamboo. Its lots of planning. I also want to see what is better for my liking, asian lemon or gracilis.
I have 6 different types of bamboo in the ground. All of them are bambusas. Vulgaris (common), Vulgaris-Vittata (common painted), malingensis (sea-breeze), Eutuldoides Viridi (Vittata) (asian lemon), Chungii, textilis gracilis. So far the asian lemon and the vulgaris have hit their max sizes. I have to say the asian lemon is very nice as it grows perfectly straight and is slightly open. I hear the gracilis is the same way but a smaller clum.
I have 2 different types in pots, runners. I have Pseudosasa Japonica (Arrow Bamboo) and Phyllostachys Rubromarginata (Red Margin). I have no intentions of putting these in the ground. I would like to bring the arrow boo into my house. I think it would look nice if I could get some large planters and 10 gal nursery pots full of the stuff.

Like I said, I have used this site before but I do not think I ever really introduced myself.

The photo is vulgaris, you are not able to see all of the new shoots, they are hidden in the grass. I counted 10 new shoots today.

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Comments (3)

kudzu9
10 years ago
Nice plants. I've sometimes wished I was in a warmer climate so I could plant more clumpers.

Two points:

1. Why don't you plant a runner or two with a barrier in place?

2. It's not a big deal to add irrigation for bamboo. You would just need to tap into the nearest irrigation line, add a $5 pressure reducer fitting, and run 1/4" drip tubing, which can be easily buried an inch under the soil level. Just take a shovel and chop a narrow line that you can press the tuning into...no major digging.
botanicalbill
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks.
Since I live in a climate that allows me to grow the clumpers, I have decided to stick with them in the ground. This way I wont have to deal with a barrier. However, when I buy the vacant lots next to me, I will re-consider this idea.
As for the irrigation, I already run the micro irrigation to the boo. I currently have all of it on one zone. For the amount of bamboo I want to plant, I will probably need three or so zones. On top of that, when I put in my lawn irrigation, I spaced the sprinklers too far apart. So, over all, my irrigation all around needs an overhaul. I am thinking this fall or spring to do the irrigation. I have a 16 zone open source sprinkler controller. I can buy extra boards and expand 8 zones per board. With all of my planning, lawn, shrubs, and bamboo, I will use 14 zones.
The irrigation I used for the boo is the irrigation line (dedicated zone), ball valve, sediment filter, pressure reducer, and 1/2 inch black flex line. At each clump I put an adjustable, up to 10gph, micro sprinkler. I would guess I have about 300-400 feet of 1/2 line and a micro sprinkler at each 3rd foot.
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kudzu9
10 years ago
Wow...that's quite a system. I live in the Pacific NW, so my watering needs are less. I can see why you want to plan out this project.