Bamboo Planting Depth Question

15 years ago

Hello!

I'm designing an urban garden/greenroof with a soil depth of 12"(not including drainage layers).

Does anyone know if bamboo will thrive in 12" soil depth? (Most info says soil depth should be 24"... but it never says why.)

Any reason that bamboo would need more depth to do well? Seems like with the shallow root system, it would be perfect.

I am thinking of clumping cold-hardy bamboos: Fargesia or Thamnocalamus -- as I've heard of running bamboo destroying greenroofs. It would be planted in spring, with a large rootspread area (5 - 6') , insulated, and secured/staked during it's first year or so.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Comments (4)

mersiepoo
15 years ago
I'd be surprised if my bamboo actually goes 24 inches into some of the soil we have around here, a lot of it is solid shale 10 inches down. I do have phyllostachys however. I haven't grown the clumping type or any p. varieties on a roof so can't help you there. I'd just wonder about the height as well as how good it would be anchored in the soil in case of high winds.
hello_c_j_here
15 years ago
I've dug several varieties here in NC and they seem to be right around the 18 inch depth.
Blessings,
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silent1pa
15 years ago
In my experience they will survive just fine but .... All the varieties I have ever handled grow strong enough rhizomes to puncture through roof epdm eventually.
robberg
Original Author
15 years ago
Silent1pa, Even clumping bamboos will puncture EPDM?