Bamboo is categorized as a grass, and requires little attention to keep it healthy. Like any grass, it tends to “wilt” with its leaves rolling up if it gets too dry, but quickly responds to watering. Generally, bamboo is quite thirsty and may require frequent watering if confined to a container too small to accommodate it. However, the roots should not be over watered to the point of constant saturation. By applying normal cultural supplements of water, fertilizer, drainage, and proper light, bamboo will perform beautifully to make a striking addition to any interiorscape or landscape.

There are many different kinds of bamboo available today for interior plantings. Among these are clumping (generally tropical) and running (generally hardy, cold tolerant species). Running bamboo adapts and looks much better in containers than clumping bamboo. CAROLINA BAMBOO sells only vigorous, cold hardy Phyllostachys (running bamboo). These running bamboos are easily acclimated to interiors in pots or large “in ground” planters. Phyllostachys bamboo is used for more interior plantings than all other varieties combined for a good reason: It's strikingly handsome, lasts longer, acclimates more readily, and satisfies demanding client needs.

Important Note: When ordering CAROLINA BAMBOO, order the size you need. In other words, if you want your planting to eventually be thirty five feet tall, order your CAROLINA BAMBOO thirty five feet tall. If for instance you ordered bamboo plants twenty feet tall expecting them to grow further to thirty five feet, you would be disappointed. Bamboo reaches its maximum height in about forty five days during the growth cycle, after which it does not grow taller, ever. If it however is a taller growing species, new shoots in the following years will reach a little higher each year as the root system develops. CAROLINA BAMBOO has the size you need NOW.

Planting
Bamboo is so versatile it can grow in mostly any natural or artificially lighted area. Our bamboo is grown in full sun and partial shade. Ideal lighting may vary, but we suggest 300 to 400 foot candles or more for 8 to 10 hours a day. 500 foot candles for 5 to 6 hours daily may also work well. We also have customers maintaining our bamboo in 300 foot candles.

Bamboo can be transplanted at any time of the year by careful treatment. Bamboo may be purchased balled and burlapped (B&B) or in containers. Many years of experience has shown us that either method will yield excellent results. Bamboo, unlike many tropical plants, requires little effort to reestablish itself quickly. Bamboo purchased B&B is usually less expensive than containerized bamboo. Our B&B bamboo receives special treatment to insure adequate soil moisture during transport and transplanting. We now report successful transplant expectation at 100%.

Generally, bamboo can be grown in practically any kind of container, provided it is the correct size. Bamboo requires good drainage, so when choosing a container, please consider adequate drainage.

Cultivation

When bamboo is young, it should be left uncut. This will encourage strong shoots to sprout every year and will enhance the quality of the leaves. Large culms (canes) should be selectively cut after 5 or 6 years and smaller culms at 3 to 4 years.

When the older bamboo are allowed to remain, the number of new plants are reduced, but they tend to be larger in diameter.

Severe pruning of individual culms is discouraging to their growth and appearance. Bamboo may be pruned at its top in moderation, but this should be done when growth of the shoot is nearly complete and when one or two branches are beginning to appear from the lower part of the emerging culm.

Water

Moisture is the primary necessity in the ideal bamboo environment. Bamboo plants are constantly thirsty and require adequate moisture to perform their best. Water must be available to them year round. Frequency will be determined by the amount of moisture in the soil. Bamboo should never be allowed to dry completely, and should never have “wet feet.” While they require copious amounts of water, they will not tolerate being waterlogged.

Temperature

Cool temperatures are most comfortable to bamboo. Few will do well if exposed to extreme heat for long periods of time. Bamboo also needs good air circulation. They are tolerant to many other variables if sufficient air flow is provided.

Soil

A well drained light sandy soil with copious amounts of organic matter is great for bamboos. Bamboo does not do well in heavy soils that do not drain well. Some of the potting mixes on the market are excellent media for bamboo.

Fertilization

Bamboo consumes a considerable amount of inorganic nutrients from the soil. Although many of the required nutrients are available from a good soil media, artificial supplements will need to be provided because of leaching of natural nutrients. Bamboo likes neutral to slightly Acid PH. During their growth period when they are making new shoots and leafing out, you may feed them as often as once a week with liquid feed. Nitrogen is the element most needed by bamboo, followed by potassium, phosphate, and silicate. A liquid feed of 10-5-10 or similar can be used weekly, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If a concentrated dry fertilizer is used, we recommend a slow release such as Osmocote 18-6-12 or similar fertilizer with a 6-8 month release, to be applied 2 or 3 times a year. Silicate can be obtained by the plants by incorporating bamboo leaves into the soil.

Dormancy Periods

When grown outdoors in cooler climates, bamboo will go into dormancy, at about November through February. These time tables may vary depending on your location. Indoors, however, the dormancy period is reduced, and in some cases disappears. Many varieties actually do better indoors than outside.

When bamboo is dormant, its external growth slows down considerably or stops. Many of the indoor bambusa species will not go into dormancy but will still periodically shed their leaves. If this happens, use the leaves to add to the soil a source of silica. An unduly large amount of falling leaves may indicate dryness of the soil. If kept properly moist, this should not be a problem.

Pests and Diseases

Bamboo is relatively pest and disease free. It is not a host plant for any particular pest, although spider mites may be noticed if these bugs are on other plants nearby. At the time of new shoots, aphids may also be present, but an application of appropriate insecticide will quickly eliminate any pest problems.