Can Bamboo Grow Anywhere?
Perhaps your clients have asked you, “Can bamboo grow anywhere?” And, rather than give them an inaccurate answer, you have had to do some of your own research. Not to worry. Palmco can provide you with all the information necessary to suit your customers’ needs.
Palmco specializes in clumping bamboos. These are non-invasive varieties, some of which are the most impressive in the world. Our Dendrocalamus and Bambusa plants are subtropical bamboo species that originate in Southeast Asia, Tibet, India, Thailand. Burma, Indonesia, and China. New shoots from these plants are produced in fall and summer and they branch out during the early spring and winter.
Where Does Bamboo Grow Best?
Our bamboo is primarily targeted for USDA Zones 8A through 11. However, we do have some cold-hardy varieties that can be planted elsewhere. Because bamboo is a giant, woody grass, and not a tree, it is the world’s fastest growing plant. It will only take 3-4 years for many of our clumping bamboo plants to reach their maximum heights and produce beautiful canopies for your clientele.
How Do You Handle and Plant Bamboo?
If you are getting ready to plant bamboo, it is important that you pick it up by its root ball, not the culms. Make sure that you are careful with it so that you do not damage its tender new shoots or culms.
When determining how much distance to put between each plant, you will have to take into account the type of bamboo that you are planting, what size it is, and what application you are using it for. A good rule of thumb for larger specimens is spacing that allows for 8 to 10 feet between each.
How Do You Fertilize Bamboo or Know When Something is Wrong?
Slow or controlled release fertilizer in small doses is recommended. For bamboo, we suggest you follow the “a little and often” concept when fertilizing. If you use high nitrogen fertilizer, three to four applications each year will be adequate.
When watering is required, the leaves of a bamboo tree will curl or fold up. However, if you notice that they are yellowing or falling off, that is a sign that you are overwatering the bamboo. Keep in mind, though, that bamboo leaves will fold up around midday to avoid excessive transpiration.
What Bamboo Should I Recommend?
That depends on the application and location of the landscaping project. If your client is looking for the fastest growing bamboos, we suggest:
- Oldhamii– People often call this one Giant Timber because it can reach heights of up to 60 feet. If kept in a shady environment, you will notice that the culms are a dark green with a silver powdery tone. But, if grown in the sun, they are orange in color. Clients looking for wind barriers will love this bamboo.
- Seabreeze– This is a Palmco customer favorite. It’s tough and bushy and features a bluish-white tint in each section. It’s both drought- and salt-tolerant and recommended for zones 9A and up.
- Alphonse Karr– This variety is very easy to maintain and is quite colorful with its golden, green-striped culms. It works great as a hedge installation because it’s easy to trim. And because it’s cold hardy, down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a great option along the Gulf Coast all the way to Texas and along the East Coast up to the Carolinas.
Now you can answer your clients when they ask, “Can bamboo grow anywhere?” And, you can learn more from Palmco about different types of bamboo by contacting us at (239) 283-1329.
