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Bamboo root barrier

m5y2zcfggmgcos71-bm5y2zcfggmgcos71-b Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi

I was wondering if submerging a heavy duty black plastic planter could keep some bamboo contained in the ground and allow it to grow into a nice small clump for a small garden?

I have some unhappy fargesia rufa in a too small container. How big do you think it would need to be to allow it to reach a decent height?

Do you think I would need to keep a good few inches of planter above the soil level to stop runners escaping above the soil?

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I've grown various bamboos in dust bin sized containers but always above the soil level - never had a problem with root runners.
    If you want to sink the container well below the surrounding soil level, if the container base is in place (other than a few drainage holes ), I'd think you could get away with it.
    There are "root barriers" on the market which people use with varying success to contain any runners.
    I've not grown your particular Fargesia but hopefully someone else here has and can offer appropriate advice  
  • gunndabadgunndabad Posts: 35
    Fargesia is a clumping bamboo so won't send any runners out.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    ^ gunndabad is correct, fargesia species such as rufa have pachymorph roots (clumping) so won’t send out long runners, like leptomorphs, but it’s still a large plant that will ultimately develop into a substantial metre or so wide clump.

    It’s more about the space you allocate it to ensure it’s happy rather than a running issue that needs to be contained. If you want to plant in a sunken container, look for one similar to your photo that’s wider than deep and get as wide a one as you can find or fit in. It would probably be fine in, say, a 60-70cm wide one for a good number of years.

    There are other fargesias like black panda, asian wonder etc., that take up less space, but that’s because they tend to be very much slower-growing - and rather more expensive! Bear in mind that the growth pattern of rufa is a cascading fountain shape so it will take up more space above ground than below.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have many bamboos growing in our garden in different areas. Yes some are clumping while others are runners...HOWEVER all of them will do what they want to do and GO.
    We have to keep on top of their growth even though we have put what we thought were restrictors.
    We use the cut bamboos in the garden and offer them up to our garden club but we are always aware that our bamboos will do what they want to do. Just keep checking!
  • m5y2zcfggmgcos71-bm5y2zcfggmgcos71-b Posts: 2
    Thank you. Some food for thought
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