Question 1

How do you prune a bamboo?

Accepted Answer

In Autumn/Winter, remove any dead, old or ugly culms at groundlevel, and trim new shoots to height.
Older culms can be trimmed at any time.
Cut just above a node. The culm will die down to the node below and won't grow any taller.
Please see our page on Bamboo Maintenance for more information.

Question 2

What is the best bamboo for screening?

Accepted Answer

Slender Weavers is often best.
Blue, may be preferred as shorter and softer in a shadier spot.
Fusca would cover an extra storey of height.
Oldhamii for a bigger again screen.
Black bamboo is a great option when you're growing pots.
 
See them in our Store

Question 3

How fast will they grow?

Accepted Answer

A baby bamboo can reach mature height in less then 5 years.
Quicker still if you start with older plants

Question 4

Can bamboo grow in pots?

Accepted Answer

Yes, bamboo can grow happily in pots.
There are a couple of things you'll need to do to keep them happy.
Please see our page on Planting Bamboo in Pots for more information.

Question 5

How much sun does bamboo need? Will bamboo grow indoors?

Accepted Answer

The species in our Store will generally handle conditions from full shade to full sun.
Except Blue, which prefers to stay out of full sun.
Slender Weavers, Blue and Black can all grow indoors.
Position them in a bright spot.
Check out our Indoor Collection

Question 6

How much space does bamboo need?

Accepted Answer

Not much, bamboo can be grown in relatively small areas like narrow garden beds and trough pots.
Be generous with the space you allow a new planting and you'll find it's easy to maintain.

Question 7

What's a rhizome barrier? Do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A rhizome barrier is a physical barrier to the spread of underground rhizome.
Rhizome can be managed with appropriate maintenance, but barrier will give you peace of mind and it's always easier to install when planting than having to retrofit.
See our Planting Bamboo In-ground page.

Question 8

What's the best food for bamboo?

Accepted Answer

Depends on where it's growing … why does the internet always want 'best' when I've got 'depends on'? ...
If nutrients aren't available in the soil, you'll need to add them. Natural soils are often fine as is, sometimes you might want to add organics, as compost or fertiliser. For a potting mix you'll probaby need a complete fertiliser, including trace elements (that's an Osmocote or similar).
Please see our page on Bamboo Care for more information.

Question 9

How much water do they need?

Accepted Answer

Bamboo look better for having consistent water.
Inground plantings may never need more than the rain, but in containers, bamboo will almost certainly need you to water them.
Please see our page on Bamboo Care for more information.

Question 10

What areas do you service?

Accepted Answer

We're based on the northern beaches but work across most of the Sydney Metropolitan area.

Question 11

Do you do more than just Bamboo?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
We love working with the whole range of plants - natives, exotics, edibles - and our relationships with growers mean we can source high quality plants for your project.
 
And we offer garden maintenance services, and not just so we can keep an eye on your bamboo.
 
Design, install, maintain ... all those

Sydney - Australia

Bamboo FAQs