Bamboo is a wonderful addition to any yard or garden, and for Hawaii residents, a favorite way to add some Asian flair to a property. Bamboo is actually part of the grass family, but it is definitely unique. It can be planted in pots, or in the ground, to add class to your landscaping. It is easy to plant bamboo and it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, making it a choice plant for many landscapers and homeowners.

Planting and Maintenance

To plant bamboo, all you need is a bamboo plant and soil that is enriched with compost and fertilizer. Bark chips and leaves are recommended for composting the soil, along with some nitrogen rich fertilizer in the spring or summer.

In the autumn, it will require fertilizer that isn’t rich in nitrogen and fertilization is not necessary in the winter. For spring and summer, a fertilizer that is rated 24-8-16 is recommended. In the fall, a rating of 3-10-10 is adequate.

When the plant is getting established, it may require watering twice per week, but after that watering it once a week is sufficient. However, if the leaves of the plant tend to curl, that’s a sign that it is dehydrated and it needs water.

Things to Watch Out For

Growing bamboo is not very challenging; however, you may run into problems that are easily solved. The main problems include dehydration and root rot. If the plant looks sick, it probably is.

Curling leaves are due to dehydration. In such a case, it isn’t getting enough water or the soil isn’t holding water. Adjusting you watering schedule may be sufficient, but you may need to add more mulch to make it easier for the roots to absorb the water.

Root rot will cause the bamboo to look sick and most likely, it will kill it. The best way to deal with root rot is to avoid it. The plant does require a lot of water, but watering too much can cause root rot. When they are planted in pots, the pot needs to be well-draining. The soil should be kept moist, but you don’t want it to be soaked. If the plant outgrows the pot, it needs to be replanted.

The utmost problem with bamboo is that it can be invasive and it is hard to get rid of if you decide you don’t want it. The roots and new shoots will have to be dug up and they usually have deep root system. Depriving them of water, if possible, is a good way to take care of invasive problems.