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Black bamboo

jay.patel661Y-Bcvh-qjay.patel661Y-Bcvh-q Posts: 4
in Problem solving
My black bamboo is thinning and leaves going yellow. Any advise ?

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Yellowing and thinning leaves are typical symptoms of dehydration.  Try watering your bamboo deeply and then keep the soil or compost moist, but not waterlogged.  It looks as if your bamboo is in an enclosed or raised bed, close to your house so it will be in a rain shadow and will therefore not receive sufficient water at the root base through natural rainfall. Heat and exposure to wind will exacerbate water loss also.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • jay.patel661Y-Bcvh-qjay.patel661Y-Bcvh-q Posts: 4
    edited June 2023
    Thank you so much plantminded, how often to I water it ? When I googled it it said these were symptoms of over watering, can that be true ?
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @jay.patel661Y-Bcvh-q You can give bamboo gallons of water a day in dry conditions and still it can be thirsty.
    It is a runner not a clumper and it will lift your pavers in time. Has it been root pruned, I can see a small white box in the corner of your photo is it electrical. Just thought I would mention it if you do use a spade ar some point in the future.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I would also check to see if it is flowering at the moment. I mention this because it's been reported by a lot of people that their black bamboo were going through a flowering event at the moment (although the last was supposed to be in 2008 so one was not due). Flowering for bamboo is an interesting topic in itself so worth reading up on it.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If your soil is dry, these symptoms signal lack of water, if it's wet, yes these symptoms can indicate overwatering too!  A simple test is to use your index finger to sense to what depth your soil is either wet or dry.  If this was my bamboo, I would prune out any spindly, discoloured or unattractive canes at ground level to allow the others access to more light and water.  Although the dead leaves on the surface can add nutrients to feed your bamboo, I would clear these away in this instance and top your bed with some organic matter to help retain moisture, presuming your soil is currently dry and not wet!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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