How to Prune/Maintain BAMBOO plants and keep them under control

[@gardenerstale]

ORIGINAL VIDEO: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/oarXoXyrgqamY7c Here is the link to the first video which shows you how to divide and plant bamboo and install a root barrier to prevent your bamboo from spreading. Hope you find this helpful 👍

[@finsallmylife1979]

outstanding and very informative 1 of the best old himi bamboo videos found

[@gardenerstale]

Hey fins all my life thanks very much for your comment and kind words glad you found this informative. Happy gardening 😁👍

[@gingerdavidson4151]

VERY NICE!!! THANK YOU FOR THE LESSON!!! I WANT A BAMBOO SCREEN FENCE NOW!!😊

[@gardenerstale]

You are very welcome thanks for leaving a comment. I really like using bamboo in this way in the garden I think it looks really effective. Do check out my other bamboo videos in the playlist, there is one on installing a bamboo screen from purchase to plant 😁👍

[@rusticnashville]

You are a delight to watch, and learn from. 😊

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Rustic Nashville thanks for the comment I really appreciate that feedback 😊

[@marissamalinao7922]

This is a very useful video especially to teachers handling TLE. Good job and keep up the good work.

[@gardenerstale]

Hello Marissa thanks so much for your kind words glad you found this useful. I do have another bamboo video coming out soon so stay tuned 😁👍

[@RichardAStonemasonNOTfreemason]

A very informative and enjoyable watch my friend. The process and end result of the original plant pruning was quite captivating. Many thanks for the demonstration.

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Richard thank you so much for your kind words glad you found this enjoyable you are most welcome. 👍

[@ceebee.h]

This was so helpful, thank you.

[@itouchtheskyilovetrentino]

Thanks for showing with us how to prune bamboo plants. Very helpful video. Cheers from the top of the mountain.

[@gardenerstale]

Hey ITouchTheSky you are very welcome thank you for your kind words 👍

[@rusticnashville]

SUPER SICK!!! 🫣🥰😍❤️👍✌️👍🤞🤞🤞❤️👏👏👏

[@gardenerstale]

Thanks so much I have two more bamboo videos I will release this year so keep and eye out 😁👍

[@tabithaspeaight2273]

This was very helpful. I am planning to us bamboo as a shade and sound barrier on the south wall of my office.

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Tabitha thanks for your comment glad you found it helpful, it will do a great job for you once established. There are lots of different varieties so look into it to find the right one for your situation 👍

[@debrasails5045]

This video really helped and gives me hope I can maintain and control mine here in the PNW where it grows like crazy! Now I have to find your video on how to install the root barrier 😊

[@gardenerstale]

Heloo Debra thanks very much for the comment. Absolutely you certainly can look after your bamboo just may need more time to get it back under control. Link to the first video is in the video description box. All the best 😁👍

[@B30pt87]

@debrasails5045 I'm in the PNW too, and watching this video and the one from a year before gave me the confidence to plant a line of running bamboo without fear. He demonstrates the root barrier in the original video, and it's pretty easy really. Just thick plastic, not the extensive/expensive custom barriers I was told to buy.

[@rick1862]

Thanks for the information and demo! I have bamboo i will remove some clumps from and transplant over next to my new sundeck where extra privacy is needed from drivers by in the alley who might be able to see over 6 ft fence. Cheers!

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Rick you are welcome glad you found it helpful. That sounds like a great idea it will also help to soften the perimeter fence and out last it! 👍

[@theaussiebartender]

Great tips. Cheers mate!

[@gardenerstale]

Hey mate thanks for the comment glad the video helped 👍

[@elizabethfindlay1389]

Hello, thanks for the videos on the bamboo, I’m really enjoying them! I’m looking at getting some non-invasive clump forming fargesia bamboo to plant out in my garden. Would you recommend installing a root barrier for this non-running bamboo plant? Thanks!

[@gardenerstale]

Hello Elizabeth you are most welcome thanks for the comment! It depends on where they are being planted. If they are on a boundary line or near a building, pathway or patio then I would recommend as it is a lot easier to spend the extra bit of time now putting in the root barrier rather than later (if it thrives and spreads) digging it out and trying to cut it back with limited access. Also if it is in a flower bed then it would complete with the other plants and would be hard to reduce in size without damaging the other plants when digging so would advise for a root barrier in that situation as well. However being planted in a large garden on its own as a feature then it is not necessary as you can easily access it from all angles to split it and reduce the size every few years. Hope this helps 😁👍

[@cynthiacisneros1694]

Very useful, thank you❣️Cindy from Houston Texas

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Cindy your most welcome thanks for the comment glad you found this helpful 😁👍

[@bwrecondo]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@gardenerstale]

Most welcome thanks for commenting 😁👍

[@joshellis8848]

I have a bunch of bamboo that was saved from someone's garden clearout. It suffered a bit from being pulled out and left on a hot driveway, but starting to grow back now. Should I cut back the old canes with no leaves as low to the base as possible?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Josh, sounds like it will do fine with some monitoring. I would cut back any dead canes or very large canes so the plant can put the energy on the root growth to establish itself and make sure to give it enough water and a mulch on top to stop the soil drying out and being exposed. Hope this helps 👍

[@kevincraig2695]

I have mine in a trench lined with metal barrier as it borders the neighbours garden and I didn’t want it encroaching. I am relocating so need to take some of them.

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Kevin hope this video helped splitting is a great way to keep the main bamboo but allow you to take a decent size plant to relocate. Metal is a great option to prevent it from spreading thanks for sharing 👍

[@commonsenseprevails]

Very informative thank you for sharing ! Could I ask a question please? I've just bought 5 black cane bamboo pots off Gumtree and they stand approx 6ft tall from the bottom of pot. What is the best way to prevent them from growing too tall. I want to plant them adjacent to fence but don't want 30 ft plants :)) I think they really need removing from pots as they look very cramped. So if I split them and repot into a larger pot, would that inhibit their growth do you think ? I only want say 12ft. Thank you.

[@gardenerstale]

Hello, your very welcome thanks for commenting. I would definitely recommend re potting them if they look cramped either splitting them and putting in a similar sized pot or leaving it at that size and putting them in a bigger pot. By re potting you are encouraging growth which I understand you don't want but you are keeping it alive and healthy which is essential. It's hard to restrict their overall growth as like all plants they will grow to their size which is dictated by their variety and growing conditions. Ideally you would want to get a smaller variety rather than black bamboo. However you can prune the tops out to restrict their overall height (if your happy with the formal straight look) just make sure you cut down to a leaf, and you can remove canes that are very tall. I discuss this pruning method on my newest bamboo video. Also by growing in pots that does restrict the overall height it can grow to (similar to a goldfish in a fish tank it only grows to the size it can in the tank). Lastly you can root prune where by each year you take it out the pot and reduce the root ball size then pot it back in the same pot and fill the missing space with compost, this is a very good way to keep the plant smaller and not needing to buy bigger and bigger pots each year (similar to bonsai). Hope all this helps 👍

[@commonsenseprevails]

@@gardenerstale Thank you so very much for a well in depth reply ; reply appreciated sir. We have started to repot. I've cut the root ball in half and repotted back into the original pots with fresh compost and Bone meal. Only time will tell but we'll continue repotting tonight. Fingers crossed. Thank you again.

[@gardenerstale]

​@@commonsenseprevailsyour most welcome happy to help out. All the best hope it goes well 👍

[@StillInLuck]

Hello! Love this video just wondered what barrier you used? I saw grow bags infused with copper to restrict them getting too big and escape, I’d really appreciate your thoughts?

[@gardenerstale]

Hello Still In Luck thanks for your comment, I used a thick pond liner as the root barrier for this bamboo I find it works really well and it's plyable so easy to install. I have never used those bags, it sounds a good concept but unsure on what the other materials are within the bag and the longevity of them if they would rot over time so would be worth looking into. 😁👍

[@امةعربيةواحدة]

Hi buddy, it is now mid September, I have a large pot containing black bamboo, the majority of the canes are dead but some fresh ones are sprouting, can J cut back all the dead ones now? And also can I use bamboo fertiliser this time a year for all the bamboos in pots? (I have 4 of them) and when is the best time to use Bamboo fertiliser or feed? Many thanks, Maz

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Maz, yeah definitely cut back the dead canes so the bamboo puts the energy into the new canes growing. Yes a fertiliser feed now will help it while it's still growing and to help it over winter. I would recommend a fertiliser feed in spring when it really needs the nutrients to put on new growth for the year. Hope this helps 😁👍

[@امةعربيةواحدة]

@@gardenerstale Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@Ithicala]

Thanks super helpful. 😊

[@gardenerstale]

Hey glad you found this helpful thank you for your comment 😁👍

[@setthestandardsimracing8689]

Hi great video I need some help if possible I was given some bamboo last year but I had to cut the roots out from underneath his fence I managed to get loads of rhizomes out with shoots on it we planted in our garden it went crazy now its not really growing this spring, the leaves are turning brown I water every 3 days, the tallest bits are around 6ft now last year the tallest bit was 1 ft max do you think I need to change the soil its in a 9ft long planter with 2ft of gqrden soil, our soil is very nutrient rich anything we plant thrives in our garden usually which is why I can't figure out what is wrong here? I am going to prun it today hoping this works any help would be much appreciated 🙏 oh yh and I fed it 3 weeks ago when I noticed the browning on the leaves, but nothing seems to have changed so far. I'm on the east coast uk

[@gardenerstale]

Hello SetTheStandard thanks for your comment. The soil in the planter will be fine I would recommend to change it after 5 years. Could it be over watered has the planter got sufficient drainage in the base? To tell this dig up a part of the root to see if they are starting to rot. Equally could be too dry as planters can dry out quickly. Yes it would be a good idea to prune out all the dead canes and leaves has anything changed in the surroundings light levels, temperature, wind etc?

[@setthestandardsimracing8689]

@@gardenerstale I will check tomorrow simple answer really but I honestly didn't think of digging it up 😂 much appreciated. It definitely isn't under watered as I water every 3 days or so religiously. Hopefully its just spending energy on the roots atm ?

[@gardenerstale]

Yes do have a look also it will help you evaluate what's going on. It would be very unusual for the leaves to go brown and it spend energy on the roots it would want to put on more leafy growth so it can get additional food from photosynthesis 👍

[@The_Pro_Procrastinator]

Great video. I had no idea it was possible to grow bamboo so successfully in the UK so you've inspired me to give it a go. What do you do with all that harvested bamboo?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Nigel thanks very much for your comment so glad to hear your going to give it a go it's such a giving plant! I use the canes in a variety of ways around the garden and vegetable area from plant supports and structures to woven fencing and markers your imagination is the limit with bamboo 👍

[@Bettercallsoren]

Which and where did you buy that root barrier? Seems very thin compared to the ones I'm finding?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Soren the root barrier I use in the video is an up cycled thick pond liner off cut that I had which works great for this variety of bamboo. The specific root barriers you can buy are thicker and more expensive which may be necessary for some vigorous bamboo varieties but not needed in this situation. Hope this helps. If you check out my previous video on bamboo you will see the root barrier being installed. 👍

[@heath2694]

Thank you thank you, again!!

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Heath your very welcome again thanks for commenting I appreciate it 😁👍

[@kathybluxome5514]

Which type of bamboo is best for fishing poles and garden stakes?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Kathy the best bamboo variety I have come across for garden stakes would be the Arundinaria Japonica nice tall straight canes grow from this plant. For fishing poles there is a variety commonly know as the fish pole bamboo which is called Phyllostachys Aurea it is in the same family as the bamboo in the video (Phyllostachys Bissetii) but is a lot thicker and stronger. Hope this helps 😊👍

[@markrowley16]

Question about this......am i able to cut back from the top to keep it at a sensible height?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Mark absolutely if you take a look at my video on modern bamboo screening this is something I discuss and show you where to cut. Hope this helps 😁👍

[@blenderbenderguy]

Can you root cuttings that you prune off? Thanks!

[@gardenerstale]

Hey blenderbender you can it is very popular with plants like "lucky bamboo" however the easiest and most successful way to propagate bamboo I find is by rhizome cuttings from the base of the plant as they already have developed roots and can be planted directly in the soil. Hope this helps 😁👍

[@Toybamboo]

cute bamboo bro !!!

[@gardenerstale]

Thanks 😁👍

[@patsyriggs3915]

Nice video thanks but my bamboo plants in different areas are all scorched and no green anywhere.. are they dead ?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Patsy thanks for the comment by the sounds of things the canes have all died however the root system could still be alive and can grow new canes. My recommendation would be to cut all the dead canes down to the ground loosen up the soil around the roots (if compacted to allow water to pass) and give a good water (a liquid feed would be great). Then monitor the area and water accordingly to give it the best chance to come back to life. Hope this helps 😁👍

[@patsyriggs3915]

@@gardenerstale many thanks much appreciated. I was afraid if we cut them it would stop them growing tall.

[@siobhanparle]

Hi thanks for your video - very informative!! :) You said in the video not to cut the top off Bamboo? Please can you advise why you shouldn't you cut the top off? I have just bought a Bamboo that is nearly 2 metres tall. Thanks for any advice

[@gardenerstale]

Hi Siobhan your very welcome. Yes this point has come up before, so in this video I was explaining a pruning technique to keep it looking natural and flowing. However if you need to take the height down to create a square hedge look then you absolutely can as well. Cut to a leaf to reduce die back and it can regrow from that point to thicken up. If there are any really thick canes that are very tall these are best taken out at the base as cutting their size down in half for example the probably won't survive so the plants energy is best spent elsewhere on new canes. Hope that makes sense I have another bamboo video coming out soon that I have addressed this point so stay tuned 😁👍 My pruning technique I was explaining in the video is the naturalistic approach but if your happy with it being flat and more of a hedge look then by all means cut the top off. Make sure its the young growth and you cut back to a leaf to reduce die back. If it is a thick bamboo shoot that has gone above the 2.5m you require then I would recommend taking that cane completely down to the groun

[@Displays.1234.]

Just one question do you know what type of bamboo it is, I need something like that for my edge.

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Paul thanks for the comment it's a Phyllostachys Bissetii highly recommended this bamboo gets to a nice size but not too invasive so great on boundaries. I have done another video on this bamboo about splitting it the link is in the description so if you buy large potted bamboo you could split it to get two plants for the price of one 👍

[@Displays.1234.]

@@gardenerstale just another question, do you think this bamboo would be easy to control in my edge, definitely need to plant something like this to get some privacy in my garden..

[@gardenerstale]

@@Displays.1234. Yes absolutely it's one of my favourite varieties as it gives that evergreen tall screen but can be controlled relatively easily as the stems and roots don't get too thick. The other video on this shows me installing the root barrier and splitting it and this is exactly one year on from then so a quick bit of thinning and cutting back this year and it's under control no need to worry about intrusive rhizomes and shoots popping up everywhere 👍

[@spearageddon3279]

Any type if "clumping" bamboo will maintain a 5-6' max footprint as the rhizomes only shoot out about 6-12 inches each ... while the invasive "running" bamboo rhizomes will shoot 10 to 20 feet each and take over an entire community if not controlled. Yours appears to be a clumping type. 👍👍 I just planted several over the past two weeks (in Florida here), thus how I landed on your page. Very informative, thank you for sharing your tips! 😊

[@gardenerstale]

@@spearageddon3279 great informative comment thank you hope your bamboo is doing well 😁👍

[@rusticnashville]

I am not getting that big of a ball, if hardly any…Digging from my waterfall edge…transporting to edges of my pond. I hope they make it! Digging is hard! 🤷🏼‍♀️🤞

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Rustic Nashville, it sounds like they have a smaller root structure to the ones I am digging in the video. This is probably because there are rocks around your roots so they cant spread as far. Bamboo plants are extremely tough though so even getting a small amount of roots on them they can survive, as long as they like their new location. Yeah sounds like you have your work cut out for you, fingers crossed it all goes well 😁🤞

[@nativedee4458]

Hi im new to learning about bamboo. What bamboo is this and is it climbing or the one that grows in rows. Think u hava saud its clumbing

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Native Dee this is Phyllostachys Bissetii and it is more of a clump forming bamboo variety so a lot less invasive hope this helps 👍

[@tobba748]

Very informative; what time of year is ideal for this?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Tob ba thanks for your comment I find doing this in the spring the best time as you are past the colder season so you won't get die back and ready for the new years recovery and growth 👍

[@MrMadder83]

I’ve took some out of the ground and potted it keeping as much root intact as possible but most of the leaves are turning or turned brown what’s best to do trim the leaves or leave them may I ask ?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Mr Madder sounds like you have done everything right depending on the time of year it was done the bamboo could haslve gone into shock from the move it is still alive but sends all nutrients back to the roots in a survival attempt so it can re grow from there. I would recommend removing all dead or dying leaves and canes put it in a shady location and keep the soil damp. Hope this helps 👍

[@Galaxy_Eyes321]

I did the same thing. I dug up a group from the forest that are only about 18" tall and potted them together. I'm wondering about putting them in a bigger pot and giving them a nutrient booster.

[@detectndig9619]

Thankyou, can you recommend a decent pair of secateurs to use please.

[@gardenerstale]

Your very welcome, its down to personal preference and what type of plants you use them for but I like felco secateurs 👍

[@leebartlett1755]

Hi what variety of bamboo is it? also does the root barrier need to be round the back also or not?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Lee it's Phyllostachys Bissetii and in this situation I didn't need to put a root barrier at the back due to the deep foundations of the brick wall will restric it as this clump forming bamboo isn't very invasive. 👍

[@allisonkirkwood1449]

Hi, can you give me some advise how to keep them healthy to establish them in my garden please? I bought from garden centre in pots but they aren’t looking very healthy ⭐️

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Alison sure happy to help. They maybe pot bound in that case it is worth splitting them into two other pots or potting it up into a larger pot. When you do this loosen the roots so they are able to spread into the new area. You could also consider giving them a mulch or liquid feed to help replenish any nutrients they maybe lacking? Hope this helps 👍

[@allisonkirkwood1449]

@@gardenerstale Thank you so much for replying. Ive done what you described and fed them with super phosphate and I topped them a little. Lets hope they come back green, thanks Allison

[@gardenerstale]

@@allisonkirkwood1449 Sounds like your doing a great job let me know how they progress as I would be interested if they don't produce new leaves. Another point maybe to re position them somewhere to recover 👍

[@ollvebranch]

I’ve bought a fargesia rufa. Going to grow it in a narrow raised planter along a wall to block off a neighbours upper storey window. Heard what you said about leaving the tops. However, why can’t I chop off the top to level off to form a hedge, since I only need 2.5m of growth - not 3m, which I know is it’s natural height? Won’t it just fill out?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Ollve Branch thanks for the comment. I am glad you brought up this point so the short answer is absolutely you can keep it at 2.5m by cutting off the young tips at the top. My pruning technique I was explaining in the video is the naturalistic approach but if your happy with it being flat and more of a hedge look then by all means cut the top off. Make sure its the young growth and you cut back to a leaf to reduce die back. If it is a thick bamboo shoot that has gone above the 2.5m you require then I would recommend taking that cane completely down to the ground and letting the other foliage fill in. Hope this helps the Fargesia Rufa is a lovely plant and the tips do naturally arch when it's mature so by you cutting them off will help keep it straight 👍

[@ollvebranch]

@@gardenerstale Thanks for the quick reply. What a relief, I was really worried there for a moment! I’m new to all this, but did research thoroughly before forking out on X4 of these from a plantsman over the weekend, to plant this week. They’re already about 1.5m tall, in 5-10L pots. From watching your videos and what I’ve read now is the best time to plant. I’m going to divide them before planting to fit in the narrow space. I would welcome a TiP on the BEST SOiL MiX. Also, should I add mycorrhizal fungus, since bamboo seems to gallop away by itself? I am also toying with adding clay pebbles as a base to help with aeration and water retention. I’ve been doing this with all my wall/baskets with excellent results. I live right on the south coast in a sheltered small urban garden and I’m experimenting with vertical planting to maximise my space. The bamboo will be wedged trough-like along a low wall. There’s 3ft fencing behind, (with additional trellis to help, ‘tie-in’ the bamboo and keep it where I want it); and a retaining log roll border edge to the front - to create the, ‘trough effect.’ I’m busy re-sewing garden grade felt planters to fit this space and put the bamboo in! I’m keeping my fingers-crossed it will work.

[@gardenerstale]

Sounds like you have some good size specimens. If you have some mycorrhizal fungi it would benefit the bamboo however it certainly isnt needed as bamboo is very hardy and grows fast. Yes clay balls would be a good idea or crushed terracotta pots (you can pick up broken ones for free). Bamboo are not too picky when it comes to a soil mix as long as it drains well and has a lot of humus matter and nutrition in the soil. That's a good idea to have the trellis to tie it in as you said it is in a narrow space so you are growing it thin it may blow out of place in high winds. I am unsure the longevity of those felt planters but hope it all goes well for you. If you find my content useful do subscribe as I will be posting lots more useful content and how to's as well 👍

[@ollvebranch]

@@gardenerstale Thanks. I’ve had all the same questions myself, but it actually looks really good. Time will tell if it works, I guess. Planters are approx 35cmHx50cmLx20cmD. I’ll keep an eye on them, possibly lift them out every 2-3 years to replace, “slice” a cross-section off the root system, (if it’s, ‘pot-bound’ - which I saw done in a video); divide and replace/refresh soil. Yep, the placement is a bit of an experiment, but what’s life if you don’t try something that hasn’t ever been tried, every now-and-again! Love your videos btw.

[@gardenerstale]

Sounds like a plan let me know how it all gets on. Absolutely if your not making mistakes your not trying enough new things. Thanks for the support 👍

[@misfitmaik6213]

Great video🤌

[@gardenerstale]

Hey misfitmaik thanks for the comment glad you found it helpful😁👍

[@JK-tr2mt]

Which bamboo species do you have? I'm presuming its a clumping bamboo, but which name/species? I'v'e got clumping Fargesia's [Robusta, green/yellow, black, also Jiuzhaigao, red(dragon)/black] in my garden, which should grow to 3-4 meters which I need for a screening barrier. PS: You seem to have a nice soil (loom?). I've got a heavy clay soil :( So I've used compost at the root base level and for top soil. Hopefully it should be helpful for growth. I've also added a grass growth mixed in with my compost.

[@gardenerstale]

Hello JK11 it's a phyllostachys bissetii which is more of a clumping variety. That will make a nice screen with the different varieties. Yes I am fortunate with the good loamy soil at that part of the garden. Yes to the compost anything to give it a boost and help aid with drainage in your clay soil such as stone chippings as you don't want it to rot if you have heavy rainfall 👍

[@Marc-lx1qj]

@@gardenerstale thought bisseti was an aggressive runner?

[@gardenerstale]

@@Marc-lx1qj you will find mixed information about it, where I am in a colder climate it is clump forming however in hotter climates it can become more of a running/spreading variety due to the conditions. Hope this helps 👍

[@SimonHargrave]

I know you mention about not topping them but is this ok to do if you want to keep them from growing too tall?

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Simon thanks for the comment I have actually done an updated video on this topic of how to reduce the height of bamboo do take a look if your interested. In this video I say don't cut the top of the bamboo if you want a natural looking bamboo plant, as by cutting the top it causes growth from the point you cut so needs to be regularly topped in the future to keep its shape. Hope this helps 👍

[@charlesuk5358]

My neighbor has Bamboo which has arrived in our garden from under the fence, it seems to have spread quite far, how can i remove it, tempted to spray as i need to clear the area, but do not wish to kill/harm the neighbors parent plant.

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Charles thanks for your comment I would recommend digging down and cutting the roots back to the boundary line. Then on the boundary line install a root barrier as I have infront of the bamboo to stop it spreading. Hope this helps 👍

[@charlesuk5358]

@@gardenerstale Thank you will give it a shot

[@larrythelepp]

How tall is this bamboo and how long did it take to get that high? Great videos. I watched your other video on splitting bissetti bamboo

[@gardenerstale]

Hey William thanks for your comment and kind words glad I can help. The new shoots from last year (previous video) have reached about the 4/5m hight this year (in this video) as its a mature plant in a sunny spot with great soil conditions it can put on a huge amount of growth in a relatively short time. The overall hight of the bamboo is 6 meters in some areas now so it's just getting it to that mature stage where it is thriving rather than surviving. A good feed and water is always good during the peak growing season as that's when you will get the root system to establish and then enable it to be able to support a much taller and larger plant so it can put that growth on because it knows it can support and sustain it. Also if you are able to cut any of the plants/trees around to get more light in (I understand sometimes this is not possible). Hope this helps let me know how you get on 👍

[@larrythelepp]

@@gardenerstale that's great thanks. There is a first floor flat window that I hope will be covered one day by my bamboo. I also plan on putting some bamboo barrier around the back of the plants just in case it creeps to close to the neighbours foundations. Problem with my bissetti is because of the neighbours house it is in shade and only gets around 2 hours afternoon sunshine so hopefully its enough for it to grow. I fertilise with chicken pellets and compost and it is a lovely luscious green so appears to be doing well after 2 years but is lacking the taller culms. Mine are around 2.5 metre...

[@gardenerstale]

@@larrythelepp You are very welcome. Yes the bamboo is a fantastic screen for buildings and windows. You should be ok without the root barrier as I have never found this variety to grow in the foundations of buildings as it does like moisture so the roots will naturally grow in the direction of the soil/wetter ground. Yes that is not a huge amount of sunlight during the day but it will eventually get there with the height. It sounds like you are doing the right thing with feeding it so keep up the good work 👍

[@larrythelepp]

@@gardenerstale that's good to know. Saves me a big job of digging behind with barriers. I'll keep an eye out for wandering rhizomes and chop them manually instead. Thanks for your advice by the way.

[@lighthousephoto7143]

I'm thinking of replacing my hideous cypress with a couple of these

[@lisas5913]

I cut culms that are criss-crossing each other too

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Lisa thanks for the comment yes that can look very efficient seeing lots of straight canes at the base as well 😁👍

[@atlas13388]

I had watched your 1st video which was very well done! As well as this one. Thanks for another great well explained video! 🙏 Question though, how far do you think the barrier should go? Are you worried that it may eventually grow under & up? Also you have a brick wall on the other side. Is that a potential issue down the road? Like it growing into the cracks & whatnot? I think I have a very similar bamboo that I've been growing and have split into now three 20lb fabric planting bags. Id love to do exactly what you have done here. I'm in the tropics so no winters do you think mulching is just as important? 🤔 Thanks again for your video and the massive energy you must have put into it and the help you have given. Aloha & mahalo 🤙

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Atlas thanks so much for your kind words your most welcome 👍 For this variety in my climate and soil it won't grown under the depth of the root barrier however depending on the soil type you have and variety it maybe worth adjusting the size. With the brick wall behind it is very small but have a good concrete footing which will act the same as the root barrier for this variety of bamboo however if you have a very invasive bamboo I would not advise planting near brickwork or hard standings. That sounds like it will work well you could split the three bags into 6 to make a thicker screen. I have a video coming out soon on growing from containers to ground so look out for that one. I would always mulch not just to protect roots but moisture retention and its a slow feed for the plant as well. Once again your most welcome really appreciate the comment 😁👍

[@ramadaskn4330]

Have we to water the Bamboo too frequently.

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Ramadas K N, water the bamboo plant to get it established as and when it needs. It depends on your soil type and climate at the time but recommend to keep the soil slightly moist until it establishes long enough roots to uptake water from the ground itself (usually takes a growing season). Hope this helps 👍

[@imrebotos5274]

👍

[@gardenerstale]

😁👍

[@shanyialexander]

👍🏼

[@gardenerstale]

Thanks Shanyi Alexander 😁👍

[@satriani03]

What type/name bamboo is that?

[@gardenerstale]

Hlo Satriani03 it's a Phyllostachys Bissetii 😁👍

[@prettyzen2]

Can u easily enough dig bamboo out? Ours looked beautiful along our fences for 7 years but our hot dry climate has really taken its toll on it😔

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Melz I could in this good loamy soil however if its very hot I wouldn't recommend doing it until it cools down or you get a period of wet weather. A good tip to keep your bamboo and other plants moist is to break up the soil, water it, then put a thick layer of mulch on top to prevent it from evaporating it keeps the moisture in and prevents it from washing away. Hope this helps 👍

[@mattboutonnyc]

what is the name of that bamboo???

[@gardenerstale]

Phyllostachys Bissetii, commonly known as Bissett's Bamboo

[@anothenymously7054]

Have you or anyone in the comments tried using animals like goats or sheep to naturally maintain bamboo to keep it from spreading

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Garrett thanks for the comment that's a great suggestion, I have not ever considered animals to maintain it. Goats or sheep maybe able to prune back leaf growth and eat young emerging shoots coming from runners however I feel the roots will still spread. It could encourage the runners to spread more because I have seen it when I have been to a garden where the owner had bamboo shoots coming up in the lawn by continuously cutting the shoots off with the lawn mower it caused the bamboo to spread all over their lawn area. If you look at panda's in the wild they do help with the spread of bamboo by distributing the bamboo seeds across the forest and stimulating bamboo growth by browsing on it. Would be interesting to see what the outcome would be with goats though 😁👍

[@annemarita4259]

Why in the world do you need a root barrier? Wouldn't it make much more sense to grow Clumping Bamboo instead, so you wouldn't have to worry about your bamboo going wild on your garden and half of the neighbors too? People get Running Bamboo and then complain about it taking over their yard?!!!! Of cours it does!

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Anne sometimes a root barrier is a great option for people who want to keep their bamboo low maintenance as it's simply like putting it in a really large pot. This is a clump forming bamboo but it really thrives here in the great growing conditions hence why a root barrier was installed. I understand your thoughts on running bamboo they are very invasive however some people really do like those varieties for colour shape size etc so in that case a root barrier is almost essential. 😁👍

[@Dcc333]

He has such a cute butt 😊

[@pabloelizaga7667]

so true

[@gardenerstale]

You know the job advert: "Gardener wanted must look good bending over" need to fit that bill 😂👍

[@gregorybankord]

Less yapping more action

[@gardenerstale]

Hey, apologies if this video wasn't to your liking. I try to include as much information in my videos as possible on the subject I am showing so the viewer has a full understanding. I do appreciate that sometimes this does mean a lot of talking before and after the actual "how to" of the video 👍

[@hvostikhvostik5254]

I hate bamboo

[@gardenerstale]

Hey Hvostik what's not to like about bamboo?

[@hvostikhvostik5254]

@@gardenerstale my Neighbour have a bamboo in they yard, that bamboo take all my yard too ☹️now I have to digging my yard to get all those roots from the ground

[@gardenerstale]

@@hvostikhvostik5254 sounds like it's the neighbour that's the problem! Some bamboo varieties are invasive so do spread while others are more controlled. You should speak to your neighbour as in the UK there are encroachment laws that it's the neighbours responsibility to prevent the spread and control it if its on your side. Hope this helps 👍

[@CTTH100]

@@gardenerstale I love how fast it grows! I'm in the U.S. with Graceful clumping ones. I am having an issue in preventing grass from growing all around the bases. Would pine need mulch help? I tried some wood mulch but the grass grew right through it.

[@gardenerstale]

@@CTTH100 that's odd that the wood chip didn't stop the grass (all wood chip is very much the same pine, oak, etc once it rots down so any will do but pine bark mulch will last longer). The wood chip should work as long as you put a thick enough layer on top. It will cut out all the light and prevent it from growing I would recommend a good 3 inches (cut the grass nice and short before applying). Hope this helps 👍