Bamboo Plant Support

Overview

According to Little Acre Farm, the bamboo family includes over 1,000 different types of bamboo, from the very large to the very small. All types of bamboo fall into one of two categories: clumping (tall, firm stalks) or running (trailing vines and dropping leaves).

Vining Bamboo Support

Running bamboo spreads quickly, and grows without the strong, tall stalks of clumping bamboo. This type of bamboo is flexible and puts out long shoots that often require a trellis, wall or arbor for structural support.

Planting

All bamboo plants require nutritional and foundational support at planting. Bamboo requires good drainage and nutrition, and does best in quick-draining soil and rich organic compost. It's important that bamboo rhizomes, or bulbs, be packed in without any air pockets around them at planting.

Water

Bamboo requires moist, supportive soil with good drainage at all times, and will rot if it's left in standing water. According to Quindembo Bamboo, 98 percent of a bamboo plant's success depends on watering and moisture. Quindembo recommends 40 inches of water a year for full bamboo support, divided into weekly waterings to supplement natural rainfall.

Feeding

Bamboo needs good nutritional support to thrive and grow. It does best with organic or 10-10-10 fertilizer every four to six weeks, but should never receive fresh manure, which will burn its roots.

Division

Another important aspect of bamboo support is division. These plants expand quickly, and may grow up to 20 feet in a single season. Gardeners should dig up and divide rhizomes every two to three years to give the plants space for continued growth.