Bamboo

Bamboo does prefer a sunny site; however they will tolerate some shade and the Fargesia varieties like partial shade. The stem colour will be more vivid if the canes are exposed to sunlight. They all prefer a rich moisture retentive soil for best growing conditions, they do not like to dry out too much, this would be evident by the leaves curling up tightly (to help prevent any further moisture loss). Therefore if planted in a windy site make sure there is plenty of available moisture to counteract the loss of moisture desiccated from the leaves.

Before planting your bamboo you can enrich the soil with a good well rotted manure or chicken pellet fertiliser. This can be re-applied each spring to feed the developing rhizome. Feed occasionally throughout summer to promote development of new canes.

As plants mature, prune out some of the thinner, weaker canes every few years. This will encourage the production of new thicker canes as well as helping to increase light to the base of the plant. This pruning in particular is beneficial to Phyllostachys species; it will also show off the colourful canes. Fargesia is generally too dense for such pruning.

Generally keep well watered during the growing season and long periods of dry weather (if we have any dry weather outside active growing season!).

Generally trouble free, but sometimes can be prone to root mealy bug; look out for woolly white patches amongst the roots. To treat, water with an insecticide or a soapy solution.

Generally completely hardy and no need for protection.