Bamboo is a sweet grass, but has a striking growth compared to native grass species. What is particularly interesting is the speed at which the plant grows, which surpasses all other plants in the world. In its homeland, giant bamboo grows as big as a tree. It goes without saying that the bamboo in home gardens remains smaller.
The bamboo in its homeland
Bamboo feels so comfortable in tropical and subtropical climates that it can reach heights of over 40 m. It can reach a growth rate of one meter per day. Not only the climate is responsible for the rapid growth, but also a good supply of nutrients and enough water.
Growing in the garden
In gardens with a Central European climate, bamboo does not grow as tall as in its homeland. It's simply too cold for him. The speed at which bamboo grows is also much slower. While some species achieve a few centimeters per day, others manage at least 30 cm per day. In contrast to length, the bamboo hardly increases in thickness as soon as it sprouts from the ground. The rods only push themselves up until they reach their final length, only then do the leaves unfold.
Bamboo types – height and speed of growth
- Fargesia, 1 to 5 m, 3.5 cm per day
- Phyllostachys, 6 to 12 m, 15 to 25 cm per day
- Pleioblastus, 40 to 150 cm, 2.5 to 5 cm per day
- Sasa or Sasaella, 30 to 200 cm, 5 to 10 cm a day
- Pseudosasa, 4 m
Note:
Actual growth also depends on the climate, which can vary even within a specific region
Final growth height
If the bamboo likes it in the chosen place, it will soon start to grow. It can grow considerably in height in the first year. However, sometimes growth can be delayed because the rhizome spreads through the soil first. Depending on the type of bamboo, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years for the bamboo to reach maturity.
Influence growth
As with other plants, bamboo grows best when it feels comfortable. The soil should be permeable and not too dense. Watering is plentiful in hot, dry summers. The pronounced linear growth also requires a lot of energy; abundant fertilization at the beginning of the growing season is essential.
Cutting bamboo
To keep the plants beautiful, the old, dried-out stalks should be cut out to make room for new ones. After about 7 years, the old stalks die off on their own, but it is also possible to cut them out after about 4 to 5 years and use them to rejuvenate the plant.
Note:
Bamboo can also be trimmed like a hedge, but this changes its natural appearance.
Contain growth
With many species of bamboo, the growth of the rhizome must be contained, otherwise it will eventually overgrow the entire garden and the neighbor's. In one growing season the rhizome can easily crawl up to 10 m. A rhizome barrier is absolutely necessary except for Fargesia species, which grow more like a perennial.
Once the bamboo has spread undesirably, it is difficult to get rid of. It's no use shortening the stalks with a lawn mower as soon as they sprout from the ground. The entire plant must be dug up and every piece of rhizome removed.
