Is it possible this whole problem is really over watering?

I just found this site. I'll see if picture posting is available and post a few as this problem is in full swing as I type.

I so appreciate any help.

Mike

No, the dessicated leaves will first curl up tight axially to reduce surface exposure to wind and sun. Watering the roots will cause the leaves to uncurl within minutes.

Then you could wait until they leaves curl up again. This will give you baseline of the water requiremnts. It's not enough water to allow it to thrive, but it's enough to keep it comfortablly alive.

Adding a little more water than above will probably remove water questin from the bamboo's growing restiction.

I badly overwatered a new Bambusa tuldoides, had the same symptons as you did, many leaves turning yellow and dropping. The seller told me to stop watering. I removed all the yellow leaves to have completely green baseline. With no more water, the green leaves stayed green until they curled from dryness. Then I started watering again with a much lower volume and frequency. The plant has thrived since then.

Overwatering bamboo in well draining soil I think is pretty hard to do, so I find it hard to believe that your problem is over-watering EXCEPT if your bamboo's soil drains very poorly, remains waterlogged.