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Advice re Overwintering Potted Bamboo

louisxivlouisxiv Posts: 33
in Problem solving
Hi there

I'm seeking advice regarding a raided Bamboo plant I bought in the summer. Now we're nearing winter I'm concerned re its survival. As the photo shows it has yellowing leaves which then fall and it's becoming a bit sparse. Is it ok for the leaves to do this?

I have a few options in mind:

1. I have bought a plant cover which can be tied around the braided base of the pant and I have mulched the plant as best I can with fallen leaves. I also have the option of bubble wrapping the pot.

2. I can bring it indoors to a room that alternates between being cold and warm, depending on whether hearing's on.

3. I have an unheated shed with a window and a raised bench so it could go in there with or without mulch, cover etc. It will be cold in there too though.

4. Leave it alone!

Any help appreciated. Same goes for the Lupin behind!

Thanks
M


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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Can we have a clearer picture please ... I can't see the leaves clearly even when I zoom in, but that looks more like a willow to me.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • louisxivlouisxiv Posts: 33
    This better?


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It certainly looks more like willow than any bamboo.
    Either way - it needs a bigger pot and loads of water. Neither of those plants like being dry. Terracotta, in particular, dries out very easily. It'll need soil, not compost, as a growing medium too.  :)

    The lupin will just die back and re appear next year, assuming it doesn't get eaten by slugs when it emerges. Not great for pots long term though.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • louisxivlouisxiv Posts: 33
    Nothing stays dry long here in the winter! It would make sense if this is indeed a willow. Do you think I should take it inside? Or into the shed? Or is it likely to survive outside?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're a million percent hardy. They aren't evergreen though - willows. Bamboo is different. 
    A potted plant is totally different from one in the ground, so watering is essential when they're in full foliage, regardless of the climate, because the rain doesn't get in easily. 
    It's also likely to be very pot bound, so there won't be much material in the pot to keep it hydrated. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • louisxivlouisxiv Posts: 33
    Thanks. So it's safe to repot and leave outside at this time of year?

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes. It'll be needing a far better size of container. 
    If you intend keeping it potted and not planted out, it's worth considering building a container especially for it. Around a couple of feet/60cm in each direction would be ideal.
    Smaller pots/containers are always more vulnerable to freezing too.

    It's important to have a soil based medium though, not just compost. That won't be any use long term for any shrub, especially one which needs consistent moisture.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • louisxivlouisxiv Posts: 33
    Thanks. We don't have the option of planting out so I'll look for a bigger pot. A few last questions: Should I prune it? And to what extent and when?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You could prune it while it's dormant, or wait until early spring, but I've never had one like that so I don't know how much you'd take off. I assume it'll grow quite rapidly on top though.
    I presume it's meant to be a standard, so you'd normally try and shape it with a 'ball' on the top, but I really don't think it's how that type of plant would ideally be grown.
    You might be better just leaving until next year, and seeing how it develops. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • louisxivlouisxiv Posts: 33
    Ok. I think it's best to leave alone for now, until next year at least. I'll try to repot asap.

    Thanks!
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