What is the Best Fertilizer for Bamboo?

Bamboo is an excellent container plant. It provides an upright, evergreen screen for many applications. We have developed a specialized container for growing bamboo called the Sugi Bamboo Planters as our flagship offering. They provide containment for up to 10 years before the bamboo needs to be transplanted.Â

Other options include galvanized metal stock tanks, cedar boxes, and large fabric pots (Root Pouch).  ‍

Bamboo can be planted at any time of the year in areas with mild climates, such as the maritime Pacific Northwest. In colder parts of the world, bamboo should be planted outdoors early enough to allow it time to establish itself and harden off sufficiently for surviving its first winter. If the bamboo is planted late in the year or in a cold climate, one should mulch the plant heavily and provide extra protection from any cold and drying winds. Even in very cold climates, an established bamboo grove with a heavy layer of leaves covering the ground will have soft and friable soil during periods when the surrounding soil is frozen hard and deep. In very hot climates, where summers routinely reach over 100 degrees, it is best to wait until fall or spring to plant bamboo, unless it can be planted in a shady area or given some kind of protection from the sun..

Many types of fertilizer work well for bamboo. In general, apply a high nitrogen grass or lawn fertilizer once in early spring (shooting season is February through April), and again in the summer, to match the two main growth seasons of bamboo. If using more mild, organic fertilizers (which we recommend), apply at a higher rate so that the bamboo gets enough nitrogen. Follow application directions specific to the type of fertilizer you use to determine how much to apply. You can usually find directions on the fertilizer label. If you want healthy, attractive, and vigorous bamboo, you should fertilize two to three times per year.

To further improve the soil, provide a 2-3 inch layer of compost or aged manure around the base of the plant, and outward where you want it to spread, for a natural source of plant food, and good medium for the bamboo to spread into. You can control the direction of your bamboo spreading habit by providing it with rich, fertile soil.

We recommend annual root pruning as the first option for control. Additionally, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) bamboo barrier of 60 mil thickness (or 80 mil depending on the species) by 30 inch deep can be used for rhizome control. With the exception of very light soil, the bamboo rhizomes are usually in the top few inches of soil. However, when the rhizome encounters an obstruction it will turn and sometimes go down deeper. It is important to avoid loose soil or air pockets next to the barrier or the bamboo may go deeper than you want and could potentially go under the barrier. When filling the hole after placing the barrier, tightly compact the soil next to the barrier. Any soil amendments must be added only in the top foot or so. You must NOT encourage deep rhizome growth if you want to contain the bamboo.

If the bamboo planting can be surrounded by a shallow pruning trench 8 to 10 inches deep, this can be a cheaper and easier method to control its spread. You just need to check a couple of times a year in the late summer and fall to see if any rhizomes have tried to cross the trench, and cut them off and remove them. Checking for spreading rhizomes is very important, and it must be done whether you are using barrier, a trench, or a combination of both.

Spacing and Growth Rates

Bamboo should be spaced 3-5 feet apart to form a dense screen. The faster spreading types can be planted farther apart if you are willing to wait a little longer for the screen to fill out. If you want an immediate screen, some types can be planted very close together as long as they have some space to spread in width. Most bamboo will not suffer from being planted nearly back to back, but their growth rate may be slowed. If you prefer a full size bamboo grove with less emphasis on dense screening, planting at wider intervals is recommended (5-10 feet apart or even 20 feet in some cases). Starting from a small size, most bamboo will reach mature height within five or six years. As a very general rule, hardy clumping bamboo will gain about 1-2 feet of height per year and spread a few inches per year, whereas the running types will gain about 3-5 feet per year, spreading outward at 3-5 feet per year. Height and spread rate is variable depending on the species and climate. Feel free to contact us to discuss details about your project. Visit this page for an example of a clumping bamboos growth rate in a series of photos over a few years.

Although most people have an idea of where they want to plant their bamboo, one should keep in mind that most large bamboos (Phyllostachys) do best with five or more hours of direct sunlight. They must be given ample water, fertilizer, and protection from competitive weeds. They will benefit from a windscreen and light shade when first planted as well. This is especially true of smaller plants. Fargesia, Thamnocalamus and Sasa do well with light to moderate shade. In fact the Fargesia and most Thamnocalamus are happier with some shade during the hottest part of the day. Fargesia and Thamnocalamus are the hardiest of the clump type bamboos. They can be planted without fear of spreading. Most other hardy bamboos can spread by their underground rhizomes and this must be taken into account when planting them. We recommend annual root pruning as the first option for control. Also, a barrier of 60 millimeters by 30 inches deep, HDPE (high density polyethylene) can be used for rhizome control.

One of the most fascinating things about bamboo is the exuberant growth of the new shoots each spring. For the bamboo grower, this is the equivalent of a colorful spring flower. Some bamboos can only be identified by the color and shape of their new shoots. Each year we hope for larger and more numerous shoots. Â Some types are edible as well, and large enough to provide a reliable vegetable crop each spring.

Bamboo is a giant grass and achieves new heights every year by sending up new and larger shoots each spring. Usually starting between April and June, the new shoots emerge from the ground and reach their full height in approximately two to three months. A young bamboo that is about 8 feet tall with four canes, for example, may produce three additional new shoots in the spring that grow to 10 feet within two months. Next spring, it may produce about five to ten new shoots that could reach 15 feet. Fast forward four years: the same plant is now sixty canes strong and up to 30 feet tall.

Soil selection for optimized planting

Most bamboo are happiest in a moderately acidic loamy soil. If your soil is very heavy, you can add organic material. The material can be dug into the soil where you intend to plant the bamboo, but you can also mulch very heavily and let the earthworms do the work, building a berm of nutritious soil (which also helps with bamboo control). Bamboo is a forest plant and does best if a mulch is kept over the roots and rhizomes. Spread two or more inches of mulch in the area around the bamboo and where you want the bamboo to grow.Â

It is best not to rake or sweep up the bamboo leaves from under the plant, as they keep the soil soft and moist. Leaves also recycle silica and other natural chemicals necessary to the bamboo. If you find dry leaf mulch objectionable, a low-growing shade-tolerant groundcover plant that will allow the leaves to fall through to form a mulch without being visible will work.Â

Almost any organic material is a good mulch. Grass is one of the best organic mulch materials as it is high in nitrogen and silica. Homemade or commercial compost is also great. Hay and manure are both good mulches too, but they are often a source of weed seeds, so that can be a problem. Any kind of manure works, if it isnt too hot. Limited amounts of very hot manures like chicken are OK if used with care. At our nursery we use a large amount of chipped trees from tree pruning services. This can harbor pathogens that may affect some trees or shrubs, but the bamboo loves it.

*We sell a blended organic compost, from Teufel Soil Products that has all the essential nutrients including active microbes, worm castings, kelp meal, and composted manure and bark shavings. We have been using this product for several years and it has been consistent in quality and has produced great results for our bamboo. ‍

Bamboo is an excellent container plant. It provides an upright, evergreen screen for many applications. We have developed a specialized container for growing bamboo called the Sugi Bamboo Planters as our flagship offering. They provide containment for up to 10 years before the bamboo needs to be transplanted.Â

Other options include galvanized metal stock tanks, cedar boxes, and large fabric pots (Root Pouch).  ‍

Best Fertilizer For Bamboo In 2023: Top 8 Picks From Experts

FAQ

What kind of fertilizer is best for bamboo?

In general, apply a high nitrogen grass or lawn fertilizer once in early spring (shooting season is February through April), and again in the summer, to match the two main growth seasons of bamboo.

Is Miracle Grow good for bamboo plants?

We also suggest treating newly planted bamboo with Quick Start Miracle Grow based on the directions on the bottle when planted and again at the correct interval listed on the bottle to avoid transition issues and get the roots moving.

How do I keep my bamboo plant happy?

Lucky Bamboo plants prefer bright, indirect light and high humidity. They can be grown in soil or water and are considered low-maintenance plants.

Is coffee good for bamboo?

Other home remedies such as coffee grounds also provide untold amounts of nitrogen. It is simply distributed in the root area or added to the watering water. A mix of coffee grounds and bone meal provides all-around care.