How to Grow and Control Bamboo

Bamboo is a beautiful plant. Despite having aggressive growth patterns people still want to grow it. The most common issue is how to control the growth of bamboo and stop it from overrunning your home and the neighbor’s house. Anyone can grow and control bamboo, using a bamboo containment and maintenance strategy.

Start with the structure

Knowing more about bamboo is the first thing to do towards maintenance. The plant has shallow roots and tough rhizomes. These rhizomes grow to 6 inches during the beginning of their growth. They produce feeder roots that reach deep within the soil or a maximum of 20 inches. This initial growth usually occurs between late summer and early fall. The stem you see above ground is called a culm.

Bamboo containment

As the plant grows and takes up more threatening space, you must decide the area you want it to occupy. After marking out the area, dig a trench around the bamboo. Make sure that the plants you want to keep are within the trench area while those you want to destroy are outside the trench. Use a shovel or a saw to cut off any rhizomes or shoots found inside the trench, poking out from the soil. Cut them cleanly and discard them. Next, place a root barrier in the trench. There are specific plastic root barriers made for bamboo containment. Place it 28 inches deep in the trench blocking off the rhizomes. Cover up the area with soil to hide the barrier. This is a very difficult job and we suggest calling Bamboo Bob for a free estimate.  We use 80 ml rhizome barrier instead of the 60 ml that our competitor’s use.  And as we say “It’s not what you see, it’s what you don’t see!”.

Bamboo pruning

This task is tedious but effective. It involves pruning the rhizomes regularly to control bamboo spread. Plunge a sharp spade into the soil to sever the rhizomes. Do this around the perimeter of the bamboo grove and pull the cut rhizomes from the ground. This task is best done between late fall and early spring when the rhizomes stop growing and are tender.

Show love

Bamboo maintenance also includes showing love and care to the plant. Bamboo is an evergreen plant with tough stems and a natural appeal. Care for those you have chosen to grow. Water the plant deeply and add a layer of mulch to prevent soil erosion.