How to Grow Large Bamboo

People are often surprised to learn that bamboo is simply a type of large grass and not a shrub or tree. Some varieties of giant bamboo grow to an impressive height of 72 feet. Able to form a dense privacy screen in the landscape, bamboo spreads rapidly through a rhizome root system. In addition, the canes of bamboo reach their full height in five to eight weeks. Once planted, bamboo requires remarkably little care; adequate water and fertilizer applications will help the plant spread and thrive.

Tiller
Shovel
Aged manure
Straw mulch
General-purpose lawn fertilizer
Pruning loppers

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a flat, well-draining planting location. Bamboo prefers acidic, loamy soil. It grows best in a location that receives at least five hours of sunlight per day.
- 2
  Plant bamboo in the spring. Till the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Mix ample aged manure into the tilled soil. Consider using a ratio of 50 percent aged manure with 50 percent soil.
- 3
  Dig a hole about 5 inches deep. Lay the rhizome into the hole and cover with soil.
- 4
  Space giant timber bamboo rhizomes 19 to 20 feet apart to offer ample growth room. Landscape bamboo requires a spacing of 3 to 5 feet to form an adequate screen. Apply a 3-inch layer of straw over the newly planted rhizomes.
- 5
  Water the newly planted rhizomes thoroughly. Keep the bamboo evenly moist to encourage growth. Bamboo requires a minimum of 1 inch of water per week to grow well.
- 6
  Fertilize bamboo in the spring using a general-purpose lawn fertilizer. Apply at a ratio of 2 1/2 pounds per 100 square feet of bamboo.
- 7
  Prune bamboo after the canes cease growing. Cut the canes to the desired size for the landscape. Remove dead or diseased canes. Cut the dead canes level with the ground.

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