This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Phyllostachys Bissetti
SteveBa
Posts: 5
Hi
I'd really appreciate a solution and advice regards my three 50L container planted Phyllostachys Bissetti bamboo plants. They are situated on a slightly shaded balcony which can be breezy at times.
Since the autumn the leaves have been getting progressively more brown the stems spindly and bare.
I have taken care to ensure the soil is always moist (using a meter), a PH of around 6.5 and fed (9-3-4).
I'd expect some leave-fall or browning in winter but the current state of the plants is very poor.
Are these the wrong bamboo for a windy balcony? If so, what would be best? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
0
Posts
In pots, on a windy, shaded balcony isn't really the ideal place for bamboo.
I'd choose a different plant altogether if you want a screen of some kind Steve. It looks like they have very little light too. Although bamboo can be invasive in the wrong place in the ground, it's not too rarely happy in pots. Not sure they appreciate always being damp either - they need decent drainage.
Sorry if that's a bit negative!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Ok, thanks. So what plant would you recommend?
I think the drainage is ok but will check it in a few weeks.
I had another suggestion from a friend that I should cut away the bare stems and always do that in future so it always encourages new growth.
The brown leaves is wind scorch and a pretty bad case of it too
Can you offer a bit more info Steve - like aspect and what size the space is for instance. Can you do a pic with a wider view of the area too? That will all help with suggestions
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sure. Here's an overall view. It's open either side of the balcony (south and north facing).
A neighbour had phormiums (not sure what variety) but the leaves became split in the wind.
Ok, thanks. I'll have a look at the garden centre
Someone else was suggesting I switch my bamboo to fargesia robusta.