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Black Bamboo

Jan H11Jan H11 Posts: 47
in Plants
My black bamboo has got brown tips on all of its leaves....just wondered if this is normal? I've no idea how old it is but it's about 15ft tall...otherwise looking healthy I guess (although I know nothing about this plant having never kept it before). Any sdvice gratefully received.

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,883

    I have a black bamboo which is probably similar in size to yours also with brown tips on its leaves which is gets every year. In my case it is simply windburn and has no detrimental effect on the bamboo whatsoever. My clump is so large - without being a garden thug - that I am able to cut canes occasionally to use as plant supports in the garden.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Jan H11Jan H11 Posts: 47
    Thanks for that Ladybird4! That's great! I think I really need to top the raised bed up with some sort of compost as the level has dropped a lot and the bamboo is standing quite proud of the top level of ground! Is there any specific kind of compost you would advise and do I need a mulch/chippings to keep moisture in?
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,883

    Hi Jan H11. If you are lucky enough to have home made compost then you could mulch with that. An alternative would be to use any spent compost you may have from plant pots used last year. A more costly item would be bought compost. My bamboo clump is old enough to provide its own mulch from discarded leaves but this does not really raise the level. My bamboo is sort of left to manage on its own and I don't do anything to help it (meanie me!)

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    I agree wholeheartedly with Ladybird4

    Devon.
  • Jan H11Jan H11 Posts: 47
    Not 'meanie' at all! I wish I was that confident to let it get on with it! I think I over-think things......or so I'm told that I do! Okey dokey I'll let you know how it all goes!
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