Planting and growing bamboo

Growing bamboo in Australia

Bamboo is a truly amazing plant and incredibly versatile. Bamboos are giant perennial grasses, with uses ranging from simple garden hedging plants, to use as scaffolding on building sites, flooring in houses, fresh shoots used in cooking, fibre for paper and textiles. A hardy and resilient plant it makes for a great screening plant in the backyard.

If you have ever wondered how to grow bamboo in Australia then look no further. Bamboo is a simple grass to grow, but there are still a few tricks to successfully growing bamboo in Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.

When to plant bamboo in Australia:
The best time to plant bamboo in Australia is in Spring and Summer as you will get quick and visible growth from the plant. However you can plant bamboo any time of year, with the exception being if you are in an area with heavy frosts, in which case you should not plant during winter.

How to plant bamboo:
Bamboo is relatively straightforward to plant and grow.

1. Choose a spot in the garden with full sun to partial shade. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum to the soil.
2. Dig a planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the bamboo from the pot it was purchased in, gently tease the roots.
3. Position in hole and back-fill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant’s root zone. This helps keep water where it’s needed at the base. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
4. Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips or pea straw, keeping it away from the main stem to avoid the spread of disease.
5. Feed every 6-8 weeks with a soil improver and plant fertiliser that is suitable.

How to plant bamboo in pots:
Growing bamboo plants in a pot is a great idea. They can add privacy in almost any size garden or balcony and be easily moved around.

1. Choose a large pot 60 cm wide or larger. Position in semi-shade and fill with a high quality potting mix. I normally avoid the cheap stuff.
2. Remove the plant from the pot it was purchase in and tease out the roots.
3. Position in hole and back-fill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
4. Feed every 6-8 weeks with a soil improver and plant fertiliser that is suitable.

What to plant with bamboo:
If you are wondering what to plant under bamboo it is important to remember that Bamboo will take many nutrients from the soil surrounding it therefor it is recommended you select plants which don’t require moisture or nutrients from the soil. The most obvious choice is Bromeliads.

How to revive a bamboo plant:
Bamboo is known for being pretty hardy and perfect for newer gardeners, however, it can start to suffer if conditions are not right. If you are wondering how to revive a bamboo plan then start with these 6 steps.

1. Ensure the bamboo plant is getting enough quality water. Important that the water isn’t too heavily chlorinated.
2. Try adding fertiliser to the soil. A soil improver and plant fertiliser should be used every 6-8 weeks.
3. Adjust the lighting conditions. Bamboo like full sunlight to partial shade if you can adjust surrounding trees.
4. Give the plant a good prune. Pruning back can help with new growth.
5. Check for signs of pests.

Check out our other how to grow in Perth guides:

• Australian native hedging plants
• Growing grass trees
• Growing fruit trees in Perth

Tags: bamboo

Category: Flowers and Plants