Bamboo plants look stunning in pots and other containers. They work well for incorporating them into Japanese-themed gardens or just to give planter displays some structure and movement. Bamboo may be used in an endless variety of forms, textures, and colors, and since the container serves as a barrier, you won't have to worry about it taking over your garden. Growing bamboo in a container also gives you the flexibility to move it around to maximize light conditions or hide it from view if it begins to struggle. Bamboos are great for balconies and patios where space is limited because they are tall and thin, but they will need a bit more maintenance than their border-grown cousins.
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| How to Plant Bamboo in a Pot: Tips and Tricks |
How to grow bamboo
Selecting a container
Select a robust container that will serve as an impenetrable barrier for the roots of the bamboo. Running bamboos in particular have roots that can penetrate virtually anything, so your best bet for a planter is something sturdy and made of metal for running kinds. It is definitely not possible to use plastic pots.
Additionally, a container with good drainage is necessary. Drill drainage holes into the base of anything that is otherwise perfect. After planting, you should place your container on top of the pot feet to make sure the roots don't get soggy at the bottom. If at all possible, use glazed clay instead of terracotta pots.
Additionally, be clear of top-heavy, unstable containers that could fall over. If you're choosing a taller growing type that might catch the wind, this is very crucial. Select a somewhat stable and low object; low rectangular tubs are an excellent option. When your plant has to be removed and divided in a few years, pots with a neck smaller than the body are not good since you won't be able to remove the pot-bound root ball without breaking the pot.
Choose a container with some insulation for the root system if you're cultivating a less hardy type, such as one with sturdy, thick wooden sides.
Location
When the container is ready, transport it to the desired location in the garden for your bamboo before you begin potting it up. This will prevent you from having to relocate a much heavier container after it is planted.
To avoid scorching the leaves, try to plant your bamboo somewhere that will receive some shelter from chilly, dry breezes. Most species of bamboo also enjoy some sun, and the more sun they receive, generally speaking, the more vibrant the bamboo stems get.
Before you begin planting, set your container or planter on pot feet (or bricks if the weight demands it).
Planting
1. To enhance drainage and make your container more bottom-heavy to keep your plant from blowing over, start by adding two to three inches of rocks or gravel to the base of the container. Then begin adding potting compost to your container.
2. We advise using either multipurpose compost on its own with lots of delayed-release fertilizer granules and water-holding gel included, or a 50/50 blend of multipurpose peat-free potting compost and soil improver. This will assist retain more water and provide your bamboo plants with the extra nutrients they require to thrive.
3. Remove the pot from your bamboo plant and examine the roots. Before planting, the tight root structure of bamboo should be released. If possible, press your thumb into the base of the plant and gently loosen the roots to encourage the growth of new roots after planting.
4. Before planting, thoroughly soak the rootball; preferably, submerge it in a big pail of water for 20 minutes to allow the water to permeate into the center of the rootball.
5. When it's time, place your plant in the container, filling it to a depth where 2-3 cm (1 inch) of soil covers the original surface. To get rid of air pockets, backfill with the remaining potting mix and compact it firmly.
6. To help with water retention, mulch the base and add a 2-inch (5 cm) layer of bark.
Watering and Feeding
- Because they have less root space, bamboo plants grown in pots will dry up more rapidly, therefore they should be watered frequently.
- During the height of summer, water every other day; in the fall, water less frequently. During the summer, apply a balanced liquid feed once a month.
- It is normal for plants planted in containers to grow shorter and have narrower canes than their border counterparts. The size of the rootball supports the size of the canes, and because the roots' growing area is constrained in a container, the canes' capacity for growth is thus constrained.
Frost Protection
The stress of a restricted growing habitat causes any given type of bamboo to be less hardy when planted in a container than it would be in the border. Additionally, bamboo planted in containers is naturally more exposed since it lacks the insulating quality of the earth surrounding its roots in the winter.
When frost is predicted, cover the container and canes loosely with a few layers of horticultural fleece, bubble wrap, or burlap to protect the roots and canes from ice and frost throughout the winter. If not, move your plants inside until the chance of frost has passed.
Repotting
Bamboos cultivated in containers eventually become pot-bound and require lifting, dividing, and reporting, just like any other plant. This must be done in the spring, before the main growing season, every two to five years. If the next spring seems too far off, wait until the autumn to raise and divide your plants instead of risking destroying them in the summer.
Bamboo will eventually suffer if they are kept in pots for an extended period because there are fewer and fewer nutrients available to feed a developing plant. It's time to repot your plants and give them a boost with some fresh compost if you notice that the leaf cover is getting less dense and the leaves are turning brown.
To reduce transplant shock, give your plants plenty of water the night before you intend to raise and divide them.
When you're ready to raise and split the plant, carefully remove it from its container, taking care not to sever any roots along the way.
Look for natural breaks in the structure. Typically, we advise dividing containerized rhizomes into two or three sections, taking care to eliminate any decaying, broken, or dead portions of the root system in the process.
The leftover rhizome portions can be disposed of in your compost pile, but before you do, let them dry out and die so they don't take root in the rich, nutrient-rich soil.
The additional rhizome parts can be planted in a border area of your garden or another container. Use fresh general-purpose compost combined with water-retaining gel and multipurpose fertilizer granules if you're growing in a container.
