Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Bamboo Trough

Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
in Problem solving
  When we moved in here approx. 11 years ago, I split a large bamboo Fargesia murielae into 4 bits and planted them in this smallish stone trough to give us a wind break and privacy. It's on the end of the terrace, with a 5ft wall drop to the road the other side and a square trellis (now wonky) behind the bamboo. There is a silver birch on the road verge behind. I think, but don't know, that the bottom of the trough is paving, under which is an empty undercroft. The bamboo is totally rootbound which I thought had died over the summer (it wasn't watered much) but there are a very few green leaves on the right hand side. I don't know whether to cut all the canes down to the surface in the spring in the hope it may resprout, kill the roots off with a strong weedkiller or try to hack them out with a saw or axe. I'm not keen on the latter option as I have a dodgy shoulder. Any thoughts please?
North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think that your bamboo is not long left for this mortal coil.
    I don't think weed killers will help, so i think you are going to have to physically remove it from the planter.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    edited December 2018
    I would be inclined to cut it down low, in a couple of months if you still need the privacy, or now if not. If it is going to grow, it should sprout in the Spring and you will have all fresh growth, and not be trying to cut dead stuff out from among it. If it doesn't sprout in the spring, you have saved the weedkiller, and only need a pickaxe to get it out.
    I tend to get a teenager with a strong back in for jobs that need brute strength, but no finesse.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks Punk Doc and Fidgetbones, I was rather afraid you were going to suggest physical removal.  I might try FB's suggestion first though. It's so rootbound, I couldn't get any water to soak in over the summer - I'm surprised the roots haven't forced the wall apart, for all I know they are probably dangling like a triffid in the undercroft but it's not a place where you want to have a look!  I must have been mad to plant it in the first place but you live and learn.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd say that's an ex bamboo Lizzie.
    They need a lot of water. Follow fidget's advice though - nothing to lose.
    What's an undercroft? I've never heard of that  :)

    If it's shuffled off, and you still need some screening, I'd suggest building on the trellis idea if you can, but get some of the really 'close holed' stuff. Even with nothing growing on it, it provides a good screen. 
    If you want greenery, you can always plant a nice climber somewhere nearby and train it across and up the trellis. Roses, clematis etc - whatever your fancy is  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Fairygirl - our house is built on a slope, so the front terrace is about 5-6 ft above the lawn level. An undercroft is the name given to an enclosed space under the house where there's a differential between the back and the front. It's not a cellar as such.
    I agree with the close holed trellis being better, I've used it elsewhere in the back garden but am waiting for the side fence/trellis to blow down before replacing it (OH's idea!).
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ah - I know exactly what you mean now Lizzie. I've never heard it called that  :)
    I have that trellis for climbers too - it's really good, and although it's on a fence, and I have other planting there too,  I find it a good feature in winter. 
    Perhaps you could sabotage it a bit to give OH a wee helping hand  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I don't think it needs any sabotaging - I thought the wind last week might well bring it down, so will wait for the next storm!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
Sign In or Register to comment.