Bamboo, barrier needed or not

garlad

Hi,
I have recently bought and planted 3 different types of bamboo, a black one, and 2 varieties of Phyllostachys.
Does anyone know if I need a rhizome barrier to curtail the 'runners', or should I be ok?
Some websites just recommend digging around the area 2 times a year, and cutting any runners with a spade.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

Irish Gardener

Hello garlad.
Cut rhizomes pieces can and often do continue to grow after the cut.
Think of it like a scutch grass or bind weed root, one little piece dropped onto soil can create a monster of a weed in a few months.
I suggest installing a barrier, something as simple as left over radon barrier or DPC.
You could also lift the plants and replant into halfed plastic barrels sunk into the soil.
Just dont forget to create those drainage holes.

garlad

Irish Gardener,
Thanks for the reply.
I actually did plant 2 of them in a barrier of sorts.
I bought 2 large plastic buckets in Woodies, and cut the bottom of them off.
But once planted, I think the area is too small for the bamboo, approx 2 feet in diameter.
Any idea where i could get material to make my own larger barrier?

Irish Gardener

garlad wrote:

Any idea where i could get material to make my own larger barrier?

Most garden centres stock rolls of butyl rubber for pond construction.
It is ideal as a rhizome barrier, the garden centre will cut you the required amount.

cormac_byrne

I've also got some bamboo, so will be needing to dig a barrier. Am wondering how deep it has to go, also does it need to protrude above ground. or could it be trimmed flush with the ground, or just below the surface?

Irish Gardener

cormac_byrne wrote:

Am wondering how deep it has to go, also does it need to protrude above ground. or could it be trimmed flush with the ground, or just below the surface?

Trim it to just a mm below ground level.
If you've got a strong shovel and even stronger back, I suggest burying the barrier 2ft deep.;)

Sonnenblumen

You mentioned you'd purchased 2 varieties of Phllostachyus Blackstemmed P.Nigra and probably Green? P. Aurea. The green stem is much more vigorous than Black/yellow stemmed varieties. Green is much more vigorous, grows higher, faster and retains more leaf than the other two hence much more popular for use a screen planting. Black is much slower and more ornamental.

These varieties are considered clumpers usually to 2' - 3' wide but alot will depend on conditions and care. The recent hot spell will genereate significant new growth in bamboo, IMO such plants can spread beyond regular limits especially if contained. Roots can spread over surface/long distance under ground in search of nutrients/water. Planting in bottomless containers will only temporarily restrict growth. There are specialist root restricting containers available but tend to be for large commercial planting. Pond liner will not control bamboo root spread and certainly cutting 3"-4" below surface is inviting surface root spread.

If you plant in container pick a heavy duty planter as used by the nurseries, however these will eventually suffer UV breakdown.
For absloute piece of mind or keep container on surface level or build a concrete bloick lined pit, the latter works 100% but there will be no disppointment 5-10 years downstream.

Finally, under no circumstances plant bamboo at or near cobbleock areas.
Wonderful plants but need minding.

garlad

Sonnenblumen,
Didnt buy P. Aurea, but Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' and Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis', which are both runners.