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Bamboo is a plant that is preferred for decoration, as well as to provide some privacy. The tall, gangly branches can grow in dense clusters, obscuring the view from both inside and outside your garden. Growing bamboo in containers can be easily done, and a perfect way to control bamboo types that are runners. There are certain bamboo types that you can grow in a limited garden space. Alphonse Karr (Bambusa multiplex) can grow up to 18 feet with the stem size reaching 1 ½ inches in diameter. Shiroshima (Hibanobambusa tranquillans) can reach a size of 10 feet. Raddia brasiliensis is a dwarf or short variety of bamboo that can reach a height of 2 feet. There are other varieties that you can grow indoors. Make sure you ask just how tall your bamboo will grow when you buy them from the nursery or local garden store.
Starting your cultivation
You should choose an area that has the most amount of sunlight. A balcony may be ideal for this purpose, but be careful when winter comes. Bamboo, especially the tropical variety, is very susceptible to frost, and can be damaged easily when exposed. Some bamboos even die when exposed to freezing temperatures without adequate protection. You can start growing bamboo during spring, but try to experiment and start your cultivation around the fall. Your soil needs to be at an average temperature of 40°F for around 2 weeks. Lower temperatures will only stunt the growth of your bamboo.
The specifications of your pot or container
The type and size of your container is very important when growing bamboo in pots. It is recommended that you choose a pot that has proper insulation properties as the pots can become very hot during summer and very cold during winter. These extreme temperatures can damage your bamboo roots, causing poor growth and even death. If you plan to place your bamboo on a balcony, you may want to buy a container that is light weight. There may be a need to move your containers indoors when winter comes, unless you insulate the container.
Generally, a pot size that is three times the size of the pot in which you have bought your bamboo cuttings should be enough. If you bought a seedling that is planted in a 5-gallon container, choose a pot that is 15 gallons in size. You can use a pail, terra cotta pots, and even ceramic pots. Others would prefer wooden planters that are 30” in size for adequate root growth. It is more important to consider the space where your bamboo roots will grow as they are the essential for healthy bamboo growth.
Wooden planters are ideal as they are semi-porous and can insulate the roots well. Drainage holes are needed to prevent water from pooling and drowning your plants. The size of your drainage holes should be big enough to let the water drain from the container, but small enough to prevent rhizome from escaping to the ground. Any rhizomes that will escape will grow new bamboo plants that are outside your container.
A container that is short in height, but wide in surface area to provide root growth will be ideal over tall, deep, and slender containers. You will need to re-pot your bamboo after 2-3 years to change the soil, so choose a container that has a wider opening than those with a narrow one. You need to insulate the sides of the container with a 2-inch layer of Styrofoam to protect your plant, but do not place any pebbles at the bottom. You need as much area as you can for soil when growing bamboo in containers.
Preparing your soil or potting mix
Bamboo needs a soil that is rich in nutrients but holds moisture well. You may want to use the soil from your garden, but it is not advisable. Ground soil contains dormant weed seeds as well as other micro-organisms that can harm your plants. Unlike any other plants for container gardening, bamboo grows better on top soil rather than potting mix. Prepare the soil two weeks before planting with fertilizer used according to package instructions. However, if you want a top soil that is fertilized as well as conditioned, incorporate a good amount of organic matter in your soil. Aged manure or compost will work best for organic gardening.
Seeds
It can be tedious to start growing bamboo in pots starting from seeds. Purchase seeds of your preferred bamboo variety and also some peat pellets for preparing your seeds. Prepare the peat according to package instructions and soak the seeds for 24 hours in water with a temperature of 85° F. Low temperature will not jump-start your seeds, and higher temperatures will kill your seeds. Open the top part your peat and place a seed in the middle of your pellet and cover with ¼ inch of potting soil and place it inside a clear container covered with plastic. Place in a warm are that will only get the morning sun, preferably by a window that is located at the east side of the house. Keep the growing medium moist but not wet. Expect germination within 10 days, and true leaves to form within 15 to 20 days. Adjust the plastic covering as the seedlings grow. Never let the leaves touch the plastic as it will cause them to rot. Your seedlings will be ready for transplanting within 30 days. Harden your seedlings for two weeks before transferring them outdoors.
Cuttings
Bamboo is easily grown from a cutting that is purchased from a local garden or nursery store, or taken from a good neighbor. Be sure to select a cutting that is healthy and mature enough to reproduce on its own when growing bamboo in pots. Usually, cuttings are taken from the middle of the tall trunks that are less than 3 years of age. The cutting must be complete with 2 internodes and half an internode that are undamaged. Your growing season for bamboo is around the rainy season, which is the best time to cultivate your cuttings. Once you get your cuttings, it is advised that you plant them immediately to promote growth and prevent damage. Dig a hole at the center of your container deep enough to reach the top node of your cutting. Place 2-3 inches of compost at the bottom, put in the cutting, and cover with soil. The top node should be 2-3 inches above soil level. Place a layer of moist clay around the top end that has been cut, being careful not to cover the hole. The clay will protect your plant from getting damaged due to exposure. Place 2 cups of water on the top of the cutting. The water should be maintained until roots develop and green shoots emerge from the nodes.
Care and Harvesting
Growing bamboo in containers needs extra care and attention compared to those grown in the ground. Your potting soil can get dry fast, so it is important to water your bamboo to maintain a very moist but not wet soil. It is a hearty eater, making the use of soil amendments to improve soil nutrition highly necessary. You can use a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen but low in potassium. 30-10-10 or slow release fertilizers of 28-14-14 and 17-6-10 can be used. Use the fertilizer according to package instructions to prevent burning the plants. You can top-dress your bamboo with manure or give them a liquid feeding of compost tea made from mature compost or compost manure every two weeks if you prefer to go organic. Blood meal and bat guano can also be best for giving your bamboo the nitrogen that it needs for proper growth. Re-potting is usually done when the bamboo is 2-4 years of age. This is indicated when the pot seems to have too many canes and the foliage looks sick. With enough care, your bamboo can live for years and repay your efforts over its lifetime.
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