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Potential problem with bissetii bamboo in containers

gareth409gareth409 Posts: 3
edited August 2020 in Problem solving
Hi everyone!

I am looking for some advice so thought I would seek some experts  D 

I purchased 4 Phyllostachys Bissetii bamboo to act as a screen. I've planted them in large containers that have organic compost in. Over the course of the past 10 days I've noticed considering yellowing of the leaves and leaf drop and I am concerned this is going to get worse.

I have contacted the supplier and they told me:

'Bamboo need at least two litres of water a day, you cannot over water, and I would suggest the leaf drop is due to not enough water. They really will not need feeding every week as they are already well established plants.'

Is this correct? 

They get full sun until about 3pm every day. It is slightly windy where they are placed. I am making sure they are well watered everyday. I've attached a photo. As you can see the yellowing is occurring more on the left hand side where the bamboo is more exposed.

Any ideas? What am I doing wrong? Or is this completely normal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I should add that my water is quite hard, you can see the white deposit it has left on the right container, would this be a problem?


Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    When you planted them did you plant them at the same soil level as they were in the pots they came in, or are they a bit deeper ... they look a bit 'buried' to me ... I don't grow bamboo so I've no idea whether this is bad for them, but it's bad for many plants.

    Perhaps someone who knows more about bamboo will come along soon ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Do you have two in each pot?
    Probably not enough room.  Phyllostachys become huge plants - above and below ground so they need room.  I think you'll have to separate them or they might struggle over time. Compost isn't enough either if they're staying there permanently. You need a soil based medium. They have big fleshy roots, so they need enough soil to sustain them. 
    You really can't overwater them. If you've not had them very long, they're just establishing so some loss of foliage is to be expected. They do look a bit deeply planted.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gareth409gareth409 Posts: 3
    Dovefromabove said:
    When you planted them did you plant them at the same soil level as they were in the pots they came in, or are they a bit deeper ... they look a bit 'buried' to me ... I don't grow bamboo so I've no idea whether this is bad for them, but it's bad for many plants.

    Perhaps someone who knows more about bamboo will come along soon ... 
    Yes they were planted level with the soil height they came in, I think the buried look is because they have leaves very low down.

    Fairygirl said:
    Do you have two in each pot?
    Probably not enough room.  Phyllostachys become huge plants - above and below ground so they need room.  I think you'll have to separate them or they might struggle over time. Compost isn't enough either if they're staying there permanently. You need a soil based medium. They have big fleshy roots, so they need enough soil to sustain them. 
    You really can't overwater them. If you've not had them very long, they're just establishing so some loss of foliage is to be expected. They do look a bit deeply planted.
    Yes 2 in each pot and I think you may be right that they will need separating soon. Do you have any recommendations on the type of soil?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No - it's just that you need something heartier than compost, which dries out too easily. They aren't usually fussy as to pH, so just some topsoil mixed in with compost, or you can get ready prepped stuff at GCs -  the John Innes formulas. I think No 3 is the one which is suitable for shrubs etc, but I never use them so just check before you buy anything.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yes, I would use John Innes loam-based No 3 planting medium ... I'd lighten it with a little bit of good homemade compost or some multipurpose compost at a ratio of 4:1.

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • gareth409gareth409 Posts: 3
    Excellent, thank you both for the replies. Do you suggest I take them out and replace the mixture or would that stress them out further?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    My instinct would be to divide and replant before they become too established and possibly rootbound in those pots and while the weather is still warm (I understand that grasses shouldn't be transplanted into cold ground, and bamboo is a grass) ... but as I said, I'm not a bamboo grower ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think you'd be ok if they haven't been in very long. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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