Bamboo articles:
The journey of a new grove
The journey of a new culm begins in the ground as a small yellow bud, which then encases itself in leaf sheaths to shelter itself as it grows above ground. Edible bamboo shoots are at their sweetest when they are yellowy green in colour as they are at their youngest, the more they mature the more bitter they become (species dependant).
When we see a new bamboo shoot starting to grow above ground, it has become an arrowhead like spike (photo 1) which will continue to grow until it reaches the full height it intends to be (photo 2). Once it has reached that height it will discard those leaf sheaths starting from the top (photo 3) and working it's way down (photo 4) making way for it's branches and foliage to create the lush full screen we wish it to be (photo 5). All pots sold at Bamboo Grove are full of healthy rhizomes containing shoots that have grown through this process and new life that will. |
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How fast does bamboo grow?
Our bamboo grow very fast. We regularly receive feedback from repeat customers mentioning massive yields, full green screens blocking out 2 storey eye sores inside a few years, plants growing from under 1mtr to 7mtrs high in just 15months.
Our pot sizes are attributed to the age of that plant's rhizome ball, 20cm pots contain plants approximately 6months old, 30cm plants are 2 years old, with 75litre bags being 3-4 years of age.
Bamboo's growing season is from late September - early March and they often reach their full maturity in their fourth year, with the right soil profile and regular moisture.
When planting bamboo
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How many plants do I need for a screen?
Bamboos can be planted as close together as you like, they cohabitate well with one another as well as with other plants, some of our earlier beds were stagger planted to provide instant density. Stagger planting isn't always necessary as when a clumping bamboo reaches full maturity it's rhizome ball (root network in the earth) fills out to a certain size in an approximate diameter, as an example Slender Weavers' rhizome ball gets to between 1 - 1.2mtrs in diameter so for an area that is 15mtrs in length you could plant the bamboos either 1mtr apart (as is the case of the 3 established Slender Weavers down by the back gate, there were originally four but we propagated one) or 1.2mtrs apart (as is the case with the established bed of Slender Weavers up by the conifers along the side of the house).
In total either 15 or 12 plants would be fine options, depending on your requirements and preferences in aesthetics. When planted further apart you see more of their clumping form at the base, when closer together they form a tight screen either way the plants will meet at the top providing you with the lush fullness you require to serve as a screen.
In total either 15 or 12 plants would be fine options, depending on your requirements and preferences in aesthetics. When planted further apart you see more of their clumping form at the base, when closer together they form a tight screen either way the plants will meet at the top providing you with the lush fullness you require to serve as a screen.
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. Stagger planted
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