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.

Trimming roots on Golden Bamboo

NekkyNekky Posts: 40
in Problem solving
I have 3 bamboo plants that I'd like to give some tlc.

Unfortunately I haven't looked after these much till now(pruned for the first time ever) and need some advise on optimising the growth season.

I've been feeding them weekly with miracle gro liquid food, pruned for the first time today but wondering if I need to do something with the roots. They seem to have maintained the shape of the original pot I bought them in even though the existing pot has plenty room to grow into.

Would it be helpful to cut-off of the thick roots that are wrapped around it ?


neede

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Are you growing them in a pot? Why are you pruning them back?
    The roots don't need pruning back unless you want to restrict the growth.
  • NekkyNekky Posts: 40
    I'm growing them in pots. The one next to it in the photo. I haven't had much growth or spread in the 5 years I have had it, so wondering if it it is rootbound.
    The pruning I did was to cut off alot of dead branches that were no longer producing leaves. I definitely don't want to restrict growth.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    I think that they don't like being in a pot but if it is the only way you have to grow them then a bigger pot would be better.
    What about a large square type one and then the roots would have more room.
    Surprise about little growth in 5 years but again it could be due to the pot.
    All our bamboos are in the ground and whilst when first planted they sulked they soon did get going and are magnificent specimens now.
    We haven't had to buy any bamboo poles for staking for many years.
  • NekkyNekky Posts: 40
    I'll be honest in that until now, they've had very little care (never fed, rarely watered).
    I originally got them to provide some screening but was warned by my neighbour that it's roots could invade other gardens.

    Not sure if it makes a difference but I think the one I have is Phyllostachys aurea.

    How do you control yours?

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have the main ones curtailed by metal/rubber surrounding the plants and are always very vigilant so that any that move out we cut back immediately.
    We love the bamboos but know that they will move through their rhizomes into areas we don't want them to do so.
    They can be contained in the ground but you have to keep an eye out all the time. They pop up where you don't expect them. Cutting back will reduce them...at least that is what we have found.
  • NekkyNekky Posts: 40
    Too scared to plant into the ground so I'll probably try a larger pot and experiment with dividing it at some point. I'm hoping to start seeing good growth now that I feed and water regularly.
Sign In or Register to comment.