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Bamboo Planter Concerns

richardaballrichardaball Posts: 8
in Plants
Hi,

I have planted Phyllostachys bissetii in raised planter as shown below to eventually create a screen to block the view of the houses behind. The planter is 4.8m long x 0.5m across x 0.6m depth.

I thought this was clumping bamboo and have since learnt that it is running bamboo.

I am concerned that it will get out of the planter. Do you think it's possible to get under the planter considering it's depth or will it remain inside?

There is no bamboo barrier lining, it's a wooden planter. What sort of maintenance can I expect to keep it contained in the planter?

Thanks.

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited August 2020
    They tend to spread horizontally in the ground, hence bamboo root barriers tend to be about 600mm deep. So in theory the sides of your container should contain it. I would want the reassurance of a permeable geotextile lining the planter though. I would keep a clear area around the planter and keep an eye out for any runners that do manage to escape. There is a high chance the bamboo will bust the container open as it grows and it's roots fill out the available space, but I suppose you can cross that bridge when you get to it. Have you set up an irrigation system for it? I have some in pots and they need watering quite a bit - and those are in shade, yours are in full sun by the look of it.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • richardaballrichardaball Posts: 8
    Loxley said:
    They tend to spread horizontally in the ground, hence bamboo root barriers tend to be about 600mm deep. So in theory the sides of your container should contain it. I would want the reassurance of a permeable geotextile lining the planter though. There is a high chance the bamboo will bust the container open as it grows and it's roots fill out the available space, but I suppose you can cross that bridge when you get to it.
    Thanks for your fast feedback.

    I think I'll dig up the bamboo every couple of years and trim the rhizomes to prevent it getting to the point that it breaks the container. It will be a pain to do but a cheaper option that replacing the container.
  • richardaballrichardaball Posts: 8
    Hi All,

    This is my bamboo now, 2 years on ... some tall shoots have just sprung up this march and I am just waiting for them to fill out at the upper end to provide a screen.

    Do you think the short, small diameter stems that have already opened up are going to grow taller or do you think I should get rid of them to allow for taller ones to sprout and create the screen that I want above the top of the fence?

    Have the tall ones only shot up that tall to break through the foliage of the smaller ones and get the sunlight they need?

    How do I look after the tall ones and keep them coming?

    Thanks

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    As above, the canes do all their growing in a single season and tower above previous years growth. You can thin out the older canes if you wish but you won't get any new canes until next spring now. I tend to leave them until the new growth gets crowded.
  • richardaballrichardaball Posts: 8
    Here is my bamboo now, I've cut so much away to thin it out, pretty much all the original and anything that wasn't taller than the fence.

    I think it's better now, less water required/wasted and it serves it's main purpose as a screen to block out the houses behind.

    I think I am going to check it once a week and any new stem that is less than my thickest stem I will just cut it at dirt level.

    One question, when it's windy the bamboo bends quite a lot, any tips to keep it supported? It also flops after rain or snow, I guess due to the weight.

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2022
    That looks great!  I prune all my bamboo like that in July every year - I like the regimented look!  I would not worry about bending in the wind - the canes will not break  and will regain their vertical position once the wind dies down. 

    Rain does make them bend more though, due to the weight of water on the leaves.  I prune all the leaves from the lower third of each cane to expose the size and colour of the canes and also trim back some of the other heavier side shoots and leaves.  This helps to reduce bending when wet, although sometimes a helping hand is needed. 

    I wouldn't consider using any support, it would detract from the regimented look and bamboo canes are  traditionally used to support other plants!

    You'll find that the new canes are produced during a six week period starting in May.  After that no new canes will appear until the following year - no need to check weekly!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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