How to Grow Bamboo
Some people seem to love the plant and want to learn how to grow bamboo, while others really have a hearty dislike for the plant. Those who are not in favor of growing bamboo have probably tried to grow bamboo and had it take over their entire yard. Bamboo is not native to North America and many varieties are very invasive.
Bamboo is considered to be a grass, and it can grow up to 100 feet high. In warm climates it can grow at the rate of one foot every day. When planting bamboo it is best to make some sort of barrier to stop the plant from spreading.
There are two types of bamboo: the clumping variety is new and bred to grow in very warm climates. It does not spread more than several inches a year. The running type of bamboo is what you find at most garden centers and nurseries. It spreads out little feelers underground called rhizomes and they grow and grow, spreading out underground. If left uncontained they can take over an entire yard and more. This is really the only kind of bamboo that is made to grow in colder climates where it needs to remain dormant in the winter.
Some people effectively contain bamboo by establishing a plastic edging about three inches deep when planting the bamboo. Still, cold weather or any weakness in the plastic can cause holes where bamboo will immediately pop through to spread out.
Bamboo requires a lot of water in its first year. If there is any shortage of natural rain you will need to water it yourself. However, bamboo does not like to be in standing water. You can contain moisture by mulching. Bamboo needs to be kept free of weeds and it needs to be fertilized--look for a high nitrogen mixture. When your bamboo starts growing taller you will need to stake it.
Next in learning about how to grow bamboo you have to consider the problem of insects. There are a couple of pests that are notorious for attacking bamboo: bamboo mites and mealybugs. Bamboo mites do the same as spider mites do with other plants, sucking juice out of the plant’s leaves. They will leave yellow streaking on the leaves of the plant. A natural insecticidal soap may work. Mealybugs are another problem. They affect many different plants and attach themselves to stems and joints. They have a protective shell covering that makes them hard to kill. The recommendation from the Bamboo Society of America is Cygon (dimethoate), if needed.
Knowing the ins and outs of how to grow bamboo can beautify your yard and you probably can even find some practical uses for the bamboo. Just don’t let it spread into a neighbor’s yard.