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Complete novice advice

ghh227ghh227 Posts: 7
in Plants
Hi.

I have just bought 35x 1.5m high bamboo for screening a part of my garden. They have all been tied together with ribbon half way up the plant. I have then on my deck at the moment as I won't be ready to plant them for another few weeks.
I am watering them early morning and at night, but I have kept them tied up. Should I untie them? How long can they stay in these pots without dying?

Thanks.
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Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Goodness me...that's a lot of bamboo if you don't know what to do with them. Just make sure you add a root barrier or they will ruin your garden and your neighbours'. They're really thirsty plants so make sure they don't go dry. But maybe add a photo so other forum members can advise further. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • ghh227ghh227 Posts: 7
    I'm planning to make planters out of timber to plant them in (similar to the image). I have attached an image of the bamboo.
    Any advice on what I should be using to plant them would be appreciated.

    Thanks.






  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    I think they'll be OK for a while in the pots and tied up, especially as you are watering them regularly. The key thing is not to let them dry out. Can you get them into shade?

    In terms of planting medium, it needs to be loam-based, so top soil or John Innes no 3, with maybe some multipurpose compost or grit mixed in for drainage.

    Good luck with you project!
  • ghh227ghh227 Posts: 7
    Thanks very much.

    I'll try and move them to a shaded area on the plot. Can I just buy tonne bags of topsoil?
    How much compost would I add to 1 tonne of topsoil?
    Is there anything else I need to add and is there anything else I need to do on an ongoing basis?
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    If you buy top soil there’s no need to add anything.
    how will your plants drain or are your  boxes on the soil. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ghh227ghh227 Posts: 7
    Thanks Lyn.

    I have been told to line the planters with plastic and cut slits into it. I may decide to dig out the stone and plant directly into the earth. Will they grow quicker and be less maintenance in direct earth?
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    What variety are they?
  • ghh227ghh227 Posts: 7
    I think they are Bisset. It says Phyllostachys on the tab.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2021
    Hi there, you've got some very healthy specimens there!  I have been growing several varieties of bamboo over the last 15 years or so and can confirm that they will definitely be happier planted in the ground. 

    Because of their long canes and a comparatively large combined leaf surface area, they are very prone to drying out in a pot and need constant watering in hot/dry/windy weather.  The leaves will curl towards the centre and then go brown and not give you the luxurious green screening which I suspect you are hoping for. 

    If you have a suitable place, enrich the garden soil with some compost (I use a 50:50 blend of multipurpose compost and John Innes no 3 but this is because of my very sandy soil - yours may be more water retentive and only need a bit of multipurpose compost).  Once planted, add a few handfuls of blood fish and bone to the surrounding soil area and water daily until they are well established.  This is important during the hot/dry weather of summer.  (You'll know when they need water by the look and colour of the leaves.)

    Check the name of the bamboo you have on a search engine to see if is clump forming or non clump forming.  If it is the latter you will need to incorporate a root barrier as another poster has mentioned.  Don't be worried, once these plants are established they will be easy to care for and a real feature of your garden.  This link from the RHS should help you: How to grow bamboo / RHS Gardening

    Good luck and enjoy your plants!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • ghh227ghh227 Posts: 7
    Thank you very much for that detailed reply.

    It states on the tab "Bamboo Aurea (running variety). The plot that I'm developing is on a hill and pretty wet.

    Should I plant them 1m apart or 1/2m? I have enough for 1/2m and do want it to be pretty dense as I'm trying to hide a horrible 100 year old garage in the neighbours garden.

    Thanks.
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