Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Planting And Growing A Temple Bamboo

By Elaine Guthrie


Bamboos are common in Asian inspired gardens. It is ideally used as a hedge or a wall to promote privacy creating a tranquil feel to the sanctuary. Maintaining such evergreen in the garden can be tasking. One should patiently monitor its growth to avoid uncontrolled spread. A temple bamboo for example can spread 5 feet from its original area if not managed accordingly within 3 to 5 years.

Barriers can help control these runners. Install a 3-inch high concrete or plastic barrier to limit its spread. Digging 2-feet trenches around it is also advisable to secure new shoots would overlap the enclosure.

Contain it in pots for more mobility. Visit your local garden supplier for suggestions. It would be useful to know the root ball size. Evidently you need ample space to grow these beauties. Runners for example demands pots that are 3 to 4 feet deep. Anything smaller will deter it from achieving full growth.

These perennials are best grown in terracotta pots. Its ability to retain moisture and expel excess water makes it a perfect home for these beauties. However be cautious not to expose these containers in direct heat. Water can evaporate quickly once exposed in such condition. This can spell trouble for the perennial. Always monitor the condition of these containers for crack. You may need to repot or remove some canes to ensure its health.

These perennials require constant watering. However it does not appreciate being soaked in water constantly. This makes loamy soil ideal for its home. It does not only retain moisture but also provides a good drainage system for its roots. Adding mulch help attain such quality when using another type of soil. Covering its base with dry leaves is also effective in achieving this effect.

The use of fertilizer is optional in growing these perennials. This will depend on the condition of the soil you use. Bamboos need lots of Nitrogen to promote better foliage thus adding manure is commonly suggested in some instances. Apply some during shooting season to ensure its absorption.

Prune these hardy plants during fall or late summer. Such practice will produce healthier shoots. Use sharp saws or pruners to avoid rot stubs. Horizontally cut above the cane node to achieve a clean cut. Note that once it is removed a culm it will never grow back. However expect new shoots to appear on the sides.

Quarantine the whole plant once white spots on its leaves become eminent. This is an indication of mite invasion. Although it will not obstruct the plants growth, these mites can still ruin the look of your plant. Spraying it with pesticide is helpful. However you may want to bath its canes with hot water and organic soap first before using a chemical base product. This is also effective in eliminating the unwanted guest. If symptoms persist, completely eradicate the whole plant. Prevention is still better than cure. Surely you would rather lose one plant than an entire garden.




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