How to Grow Giant Bamboo - 5 Tips for Cooler Climates
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- A massive bamboo with huge cane / culm size is a dream plant for many people and would look right at home growing in any tropical effect, jungle or exotic garden so in today's video I look at planting, feeding, watering and care tips for how to grow a giant bamboo in cooler climates like the UK. I look at the larger varieties I grow, Phyllostachys vivax f. Aureocaulis which is my top recommended big specimen golden bamboo, plain green Vivax, 'Huangwenzhu Inversa' and also Phyllostachys Atrovaginata and Nigra 'Henonis' plus a potential giant Moso timber bamboo for countries like the UK Phyllostachys Parvifolia. I discuss space requirements for larger bamboos, their growing pattern through the year, control methods like rhizome barrier for running and potentially invasive bamboos and how using the correct feeds, soil improvers and fertilisers at the right time can help boost growth and get the biggest canes possible in a shorter time.
The feeds I mention are:
25kg Blood Fish and Bone Feed (Great for your whole tropical garden)
amzn.to/3Ab4Roz
10kg Tub Blood Fish and Bone Feed
amzn.to/3x0vXwy
20kg Chicken Manure Pellets, a great 'slow release' fertiliser for bamboos and other tropical plants
amzn.to/3sZAj4R
0:00 Intro
0:33 How I plant bamboos in my tropical garden
1:15 The best big timber bamboo varieties for cooler climates
3:46 Phyllostachys vivax 'Areocaulis' care tips - a giant golden bamboo
6:48 Other giant cold hardy bamboos
9:32 Bamboo Planting Tips & Space Requirements
12:05 Controlling 'invasive' running bamboos with rhizome barrier etc.
13:23 Feeding / Fertilising your bamboo for faster growth
16:37 Soil improving and mulching bamboo for bigger canes
18:37 Watering your giant bamboo plant
20:12 Bamboo growth rates and fast upsizing!
If you've enjoyed my content and would like to say thanks for the price of a coffee then please head over to my Ko-fi, any kind donations would be appreciated and put towards creating more exciting content (or treats for Max if you wish!): ko-fi.com/georgesjunglegarden
Thanks,
George - Jak na to + styl
Very good video btw. The bamboo saying , first year they sleep, second year they creep and third year they leap.
Thank you Kevin! That’s definitely true, the same can be said for a lot of plants! I’m not expecting a lot of growth from mine this year but they’ll make the garden feel completely different over the next few years.
Brilliant video, together with your others on Bamboo! Your enthusiasm and knowledge is commendable and infectious. Thanks for sharing it all with us as there sooo many to choose from and it's difficult to make that right choice!
Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you to say! There certainly are, I wish I had a larger garden to try some more 😃
One of the best bamboo videos out here. And I have seen a lot. Great job and thanks for the tips.
Thanks, I really appreciate it!
Cheers George, another informative video
Thanks Barry!
Hi George
My dream plant is the T-Rex 💕👍 I started tropical gardening this year after seeing one of your videos. Thank you for spending so much time educating us regarding tropical gardening it is really appreciated. Congratulations on your wedding‼️
That's amazing Susan, so great to hear! Thank you very much. T-Rex is a great choice too, when they're big they're an awesome plant!
Im new to Bamboo - after this i feel like a pro! - excellent job again George
Thanks! I try to pack as much info as I can in 😂
Great video again thanks!
Thank you 😃
To get the best growth, I mulch heavily with manure (fresh is fine) in the autumn to partly feed, but mainly to keep the rhizomes warm during the winter, then another mulch novel the new culms have finished growing as this is when the rhizomes start building fir the next seasons culms.
I agree with the patience comment. The old Victorian adage is true - 1st year sleeping, 2nd year creeping, 3rd year leaping..
On the subject of seed, I have loads of self-sown seedlings of Chusquea gigantea (the real thing) after my plant flowered 4 years ago. Surprisingly small seeds on this. I had assumed they were sterile until they started sprouting!
I can’t agree more Mark, the mulching is definitely the key to big growth. Great work on the Chusquea, there’ll be some interesting seedlings I’m sure! It’s probably the one main bamboo I could grow here and want to but currently don’t as they take up so much room when mature!
Excellent video, George - thanks so much! :)
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Cheers George some useful information there.
Thank you David! 😃
First class presentation and I can’t wait to implement your very clear advice is assisting my plants to reach for the stars!!! Thank you, Raymond, Kerry in the sunny and mild south west of Ireland.
Thank you very much Ray, I’m pleased you enjoyed the video and hope they grow very well for you! 😃
Thanks for the information George. I really appreciatie the feeding of the bamboo after spring part. Its all about energy storage and that reminds me of the my Basjoo clumbs it has the same principle of storage in the clumb.
That's it Sam, it's all about the slightly longer term game but they both soon size up!
Great video George. I'm in Oregon in the U.S. I have been growing all 3 varieties of Vivax for years. This year my Golden has gotten to 3 3/4 inches in diameter and my green Vivax has numerous culms from 4 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter. It's a great bamboo, just not very strong and breaks easy when loaded with snow.
Thanks Richard! I guess you see a little bit more heat than us and I bet they look awesome at those sizes. You're right about Vivax not being that strong - lucky we don't get a lot of heavy snow so it's worth taking the risk for how amazing they look!
Hi George.
If you want to grow the biggest bamboo, try Phyllostachys Shanghai 3 or Shanghai 4. In Slovakia, where the climate is cooler than in the UK, it will grow to a trunk diameter of 4 inches and a height of 45 foot and has strong stems. Phyllostachys vivax grows to only 3 inches in diameter here.@@GeorgesJungleGarden
Thanks for the recommendation. I did do a lot of reading up and the general experience with a few other big bamboo growers here in the UK is that the Shanghai varieties were a bit of a let down here. Massive potential but maybe they just need more heat to get big. I think that's the issue with a lot of the bigger timber bamboos, whilst we do have mild winters which they can take in their stride, we also have generally cooler summers too so they don't reach the sizes they can on the continent.@@stefans.2705
I live in Kentucky and we have native bamboo in this state. They aren't big but they do make nice fishing poles and can be great in the garden to make trellis and tomato cages. They are the kind that make small groves in often strange locations usually somewhere close to water. I would love to grow some in my garden but I can't have them spreading everywhere.
Hi David, apologies for the delayed reply and that's interesting to know! Sometimes plants are best appreciated in nature where they have the space to grow en masse but luckily there's better behaved and more garden friendly forms like Fargesia and Borinda in cultivation too.
Great video
Thank you very much Rory!
Great video bud
Thank you very much 😃
Hi George, I came across your channel and really liked your video! I love bamboos and it was my first exotic plant in my garden. I have these giants growing in containers as I have runners
Hi and thank you! Fair play if you don’t want to plant them out, they’re still amazing plants in containers! Which varieties are your favourites?
Love your vids. I am very fortunate to have a large garden so it can swallow up big plants, I am growing what I can from seeds and division but like most gardeners I dream of those big specimens to add instant interest but patience is a virtue that I’m also trying to cultivate either that Or I move a couple of counties down🤣 keep up your recommendations and I will slowly add to my space and hopefully eventually have a garden to be proud of.
Thank you so much! I’m sure you’ll get there soon enough! As you can see my garden is a proper mix of smaller plants and big specimens, it’s all a balancing act of instant impact vs long term patience (plus budget etc!). As long as you’re enjoying the process and the space you’re creating then all is good! 😃
Great video. I took the vast majority of photos for Paul Whittaker’s book Hardy Bamboos and was paid in plants being an avid collector. I moved to Shropshire a couple of years ago and am eagerly awaiting the signs of new growth on Phyllostachys dulcis, P. Iridescens and P. vivax Huanvenzhu. I’ve got a Shanghai 3 but it’s like a tight clumped version of aureosulcata at the moment, no chance of anything big on that but I have to say it had the freshest foliage of all of my 40+ bamboos after this recent hard winter. Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much Richard and I've got to say, that book is definitely the bible for bamboo growers! Amazing to hear you contributed towards it with your fantastic photography. It sounds like you've got quite a collection and some cracking timber bamboos. I do like rolling the dice and trying some of the bigger growers like parvifolia etc., they might take a while to size up but in 5 years or so the potential is there to have a real show-stopper, like your Shanghai 3 and other beauties. Part of the fun of growing these amazing plants and I hope they all size up well for you this spring!
Sending my full support to you,, thanks for sharing
Thank you! 😃
Awesome video and very informative. Only came across you today. Very impressed. Just subscribed! 🤗 🎋🎍
Thank you very Joan, for the kind comment and subscribing! I only started making the vids this time last year so I’m still working on improving them but I’ve got lots of exotic gardening and more general garden content planned for this year 😃
Brother you're doing work out here man thank you so much please tell us more
Thank you very much, pleased you enjoyed it! 😃
I have an Atrovaginata in the Netherlands, I love watching it get thicker each year. I also add lava meal to the soil every year, it's great for bamboo since it contains a lot of silica.
Nice one, I can't wait until mine gets proper chunky! It's definitely an event seeing the new culms come up in spring. That's a great shout and I'm sure it'll help loads. I haven't used it but 'recycle' all the cut foliage and leaves directly under my bamboo plants to keep the silica where it's needed.
I agree with you, Bamboo are beautiful plants to grow. I have about half a dozen, all different varieties. All in pots because I don’t want to let any run away from me. Tried to get a black bamboo growing but without success. Cheers.
Hi Peter and apologies for my delayed reply. Wow, sounds you've got quite a collection on the go and you can still get some lovely plants in pots, yes. Potentially your black bamboo issues are related to the current flowering but either way, I personally think there's plenty of other colourful and exciting alternatives!
This is great. We have 4 groves and that is exactly how we do it. We water a lot in the summer means the soil never gets dry. This really lets your Bamboo explode in the spring.
Nice one, great to hear that you follow the same principles. What are the best varieties for you?
@@GeorgesJungleGarden We have Phyllostachys Nigra, nigra Bory, nigra henon, atrovaginata, nidularia, dulci, parvifolia, iricidencise and Madake and Moso. They are all driving strong. Japanese Tempel Bamboo...both types, several Sasa and Fargesia. All together 33 types. Guess I should start a CZcams channel. Hahahaha.
@@fuzzy927 Wow, impressive! I’m sure a lot of people would be very interested in seeing what all those amazing varieties look like when they’re mature and how you look after them!
Yay First, thanks for sharing once again plenty of info, sadly i haven't got any yet, maybe next year
Thanks Yvette! You’ve got plenty of room for some beauties!
Bamboo all day long , great video George
Thanks Dermot! It is an incredible plant to grow, what varieties do you recommend? 😃
@@GeorgesJungleGarden fargesia asian wonder is a nice specimen plant also fargesia ntida,thamnocalamus Kew beauty is a nice clumper,fergesia robusta is another good strong bambooalso the nigra bamboo is stunning but needs a barier and I really like that vivax you have there I haven't one if those yet.
@@TheHencro There’s some great choices there and I’m a big fan of Fargesia robusta and Kew Beauty especially, they’re both settling in well here 😃
Great video. I have three vivax. Just luck really didn’t know what I was buying but they have done really well 5 metres high. Also. They are all still in clumps. They haven’t run yet ( 6 years)
Thanks and yes, I've heard of that before. They can behave like clumpers, sometimes for many years, but they can easily just run one year! It could be that you've just got them in spots where they're happy though!
Got 5 Fargesia Robusta Campbell coming from Scottish Bamboo soon. But I need more bamboo as the house next door is building an extension and I don't want to look at it.
Nice one, 5 plants is going to make a decent wall of bamboo in a few years!
Fantastic job, I would try biochar for soil amendment.
Thank you very much! I did actually use a lot of it last autumn, personally I’m convinced it has benefits but I want to know a bit more before I recommend it on the channel 👍
'Shanghai 3' the biggest hipe for skyscraping groves, to the reality in the UK of bungalow sized groves!!
Fargesia robusta 'wolong', now that is a nice variety.... Phyllostachys edulis does well, thick culms , not getting massive height yet though, I've just planted another grove of them, an extra foot of top soil and hopefully more deep water access, see how they get on.
Exactly, that’s why to give it a mention, not really worth planting if it’s big culms you’re after. There’s lots of lovely Fargesias, I wish I had more room! Obviously if I had the space you have I’d definitely get some Edulis in for the sheer potential but for most gardens they won’t be the quickest or most reliable to upsize from what I hear.
@@GeorgesJungleGarden definitely right, alot of 'the next big thing's turns out to be a disappointment. However ,you still get it, just incase they are right.......
@@henrywaterhouse6291 Very true, of course you do! Always good to learn off other people’s experiences but it wouldn’t stop me buying a MegaVivax2021 tomorrow 😂
@@GeorgesJungleGarden same here, always optimistic.......
This is an amazing presentation absolutely filled with great information, and it's truly impressive that you can talk so flippin fast and still effectively transmit erudite knowledge. However, and to each his or her own, I've watched your videos for serious learning, and I want to absorb the information. I can follow you at this speed, but it's unlikely that I will be able to remember the details. For me, it would help if the pace were slowed down a bit so I can imbibe the wonderful data that you have to offer.
Hi and thanks for your kind words and valued feedback. This was one of my earlier videos and as you're probably aware, on CZcams you have to very much have a go and improve presentation video by video in a very public way. I'd like to think I'm getting to a better place now and able to share information in a more structured way but I do appreciate you taking the time to help me improve.
Also in the SE of the UK, I had very good response from a black cane bamboo. Easily as big at the vivax you are mentioning without any attention at all. Just stuck it in the ground & it took off. Total bastard for running though. Went 10s of metres up the pavement, across the pavement to the road, dug its way through tarmac, around and lifted concrete slabs, and, of course, the neighbour got a generous serving. Treat with extreme care & surround with concrete!
Having seen the bamboo forests in Japan (e.g. Arashiyama), & even dug the roots out to eat in the countryside, I'd love to be able to grow giant bamboo here but figured the seeds sold on Ebay were a con because, a) the shoots that send up giant bamboo are huge in the ground (the size of a cannon shell), and b) the sellers never answer questions about cultivation back. I suspect all they MAY do is start a root network and at best, years later, it might start sending up big canes. But there's no way a tiny seed is going to do so, I reckon.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Hi and thanks for a detailed comment! Regarding the black Phyllostachys nigra bamboo, they won't get as big as a vivax but can still get to a decent size in the right spot and as you've unfortunately found out, being a Phyllostachys means they can suddenly decide to run one year! One plant may be very well behaved for a decade, another may run a lot sooner but unless you're maintaining a running bamboo or have a LOT of space I'd always recommend a root barrier.
As for your giant bamboo question, we can't grow a lot of the giant bamboo outside here and even Moso bamboo which has the potential to be giant and cold hardy, doesn't seem to do well outside of a few sheltered gardens in Cornwall currently (Trebah being the best example!). If you want a big bamboo, I would personally recommend P. vivax, parvifolia, atrovaginata as more reliable growers to a big size (2-3" diameter canes and up). You're right that giant tropical bamboo shoots can be HUGE, but they're not the shoot coming out of a new seed, they're growing from an established rhizome network. The seeds are very small and the resulting plants look more like grass at first but the new culms soon get progressively bigger over time. Hopefully that helps!
also a great tip if u want a big bamboo canes and you have the patience dont plant more than 1 plant in a closed environment, because the plants wil compete with each other for the limited nutrients BECAUSE bamboo need a certain amount of surface area before it can reach maturity canes.
my phyllostaches parvifolia cains grow in 3 years to 1 cm to 4.5 cm canes if u feed they realy do grow fast.
love the video's keep them coming mate 🤠🐕🦺
Thanks and that is a good tip, it makes perfect sense, especially for the big timber bamboos. As you might have seen in my garden, I’ve got three aureocaulis plants together (one had to be divided to fit in the gate!) but my plan is to potentially dig one up down the line as the others fill out more. Plenty of divisions for other people then!
I've got the green vivax, yellow groove on green canes? By accident if I must say. Random ebay purchase from someone pulling it out of a property they had just purchased about 5 years back.
If it's definitely a vivax it could be 'Huangwenzhu' but if it's a bit smaller it could be Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' - not quite as giant but still a beauty. Either way an amazing bamboo!
hello sir..amazing very nice bamboo
Hi and thank you very much, they're interesting plants!
@@GeorgesJungleGarden your welcome
Iv learned a lot this morning just wondering where's the best place you got them from I fancy grow the big one's you no me
Thanks Steve and I can’t blame you! To be honest a lot of different places but Scottish Bamboo is good 👍
@GeorgesJungleGarden thank you for these videos. We are three years in and are finally getting beautiful thick shoots. Should we start pruning out the smaller shoots to leave room for the bigger ones we want?
Hi Kathryn and thanks for watching! Ahh nice one, that's exciting. Personally, I'd hold off chopping out too much just yet, even the smaller culms are still providing energy for the plant which has only just started really sizing up but I guess over the next couple of years you can start removing some of the smaller ones as they fade and gradually a grove of larger culms will take their place. You can also remove a lot of the lower branches to really show them off well.
Brillient ,thanks for the info ,i Have a ground which is rocky stoney as house built in a quarry is this suitable for bamboo
Hi and no worries! It's not the ideal soil but I'm assuming it's damper rather than too free draining? It would be worth preparing the area and digging in a lot of organic matter (like well rotted manure) to add more goodness and water retaining capacity to the soil to keep the bamboo happier. As long as it's not too extreme it's worth a go.
Hi George, thank you for this amazing video. I have a question as I am making some research about planting bamboo and use it to produce product substitute to plastic. My idea is to plant it in Albania because it is the country I was born and the weather is sunny almost all the year with not too much rainy days. The question is, what kind of bamboo should I aim to plant in order to have a workable bamboo with all the amazing characteristics everyone talks about?? Thank you in advance
Hi and thank you for watching! Wow, that sounds like a really interesting project. The Vivax bamboos in this video might not be ideal as their culms are quite thin walled but it could be worth looking at some of the other timber bamboos (maybe Edulis?). I can’t say I’ve got a lot of knowledge on the best varieties for your purpose but I’m sure some of the types used for construction would be helpful for you - it sounds like you’ve got the right climate to really get them growing in the summer heat!
We planted a Phyllostachys Bissetii bamboo in our garden a while ago and we've got pretty rocky soil with big stones buried deep in the ground, will the bamboo still spread as much as it would normally or will it spread but just at a slower pace?
Hard to say but I'd guess at a slower pace unless the soil is really loose. Bissetii are tough plants so it should still do well though!
Hi George great video. For bamboo I have a Fatsia Japonica 4 to 5 ft I want to plant a Fargesia Nitida or Robusta behind it deep shade aspect would Fargesia Nitida or Robusta be good and is there still worry with Nitida setting seed? Thanks George, by the way have grown any type of Borinda bamboos.?
Hi Killian and thanks! I haven't kept up with the Nitida flowering progress but for shade a Fargesia is a good choice and Robusta is a beauty. I've got some different Borinda Papyrifera in the garden plus a Borinda Lushuiensis too, both sizing up nicely although the Lushuiensis isn't as hardy as I would like!
@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks George will go with the Robusta on the safe side.
@@roguedungeondelver5738 You won't regret it, they're a lovely and very tough bamboo!
I have some phyllostachys nigra and a yellow caned variety, and also a chusqea in a pot. Keep me in runner bean canes! My garden is a mix of herbaceous with grass and sub tropical woven through......i have not converted totally to the dark side......
Very nice, I completely understand and it sounds like you’ve got a great mix of planting! Some people get a bit fixated of what’s tropical or not but the reality is you can grow whatever you want and enjoy!
@@GeorgesJungleGarden yep, some old favourites like marigolds and petunias look good with cannas and musas.
@@oldgold5848 That’s very true, I’ve got some red petunias dotted around this year myself!
I've taken a couple long bamboo shoots with a about 6 inch of root intact will it grow? I've potted and gave it nourished it with blood bone and watered everyday but leaves seem to curled and are drying out any pointers cheers
Hi, it’s hard to say without knowing how tall it is and how much root you got. If there’s not much root or the shoots are very tall then I’d cut them back to reduce the amount of foliage and give the plant a better chance. It’ll also need a lot of water to recover, especially now it’s warm.
Shade plant for building aspects in direct sun? Could be useful to help reduce excess solar gain????
Hi, definitely, that's another key use as we go forwards. Obviously, planting anything near a house requires a bit of an assessment first, the right structural preparations and with bamboo, a good rhizome barrier but with precautions taken it's a great plant. Quick growing to a predictable height, a sensible amount of foliage, visually attractive and can be very narrow so a top choice really for that purpose!
Hi George
Once again a great refreshing video. Love your energy and cheers for the education.
Not sure if it's me. But you seemed to be speaking quite quickly this week. I'm autistic and just found it hard to take in the information.
Please keep up the great work. If I ever can buy you a coffee. I'd love to.
Take care.
Will you be adding water into your garden at some point? Would love to see an aerial view of your garden too.
Hi and thank you! You’re completely right, this one might have been a bit fast, sorry! I started filming earlier in the evening but there was a tractor in one of the fields behind the garden plus kids playing loudly a couple of gardens away so I lost an hour or so 😂 This meant the video was a bit of a race against the light levels dropping so probably a bit too quick. Thank you, I will. I’ve got a couple of small water features but realistically I won’t be doing a lot with water to keep it safe for Max our dog and our nieces and nephews. We’ll see what happens down the line though. I’ll try and get some drone footage once the garden is more complete next year, it’s still early days yet though!
Thank you so much for replying. Looking forward to seeing the garden progress. Once again thank you so much for doing these videos.
@@CKLI38 Thank you very much for watching and following my videos 😃
@@CKLI38 No worries, good luck with your garden this summer!
I’m looking for a nigiris henonis. And a parvifolia Any idea where I can buy them in the uk ?
Hi Dave, whereabouts are you in the U.K.?
I need to grow bamboo in the United States in New Jersey. I would like it to grow 15-30 feet. I am looking for a natural privacy wall. What variety would you recommend and can you also recommend a reliable source?
Hi Robert, at that height and for that purpose you'd probably be look at a running bamboo, maybe one of the Phyllostachys like bissetii which is quite tight and good for screening. I use the clumping Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' for screening but it doesn't get much taller than 12 foot or so. In all honesty I don't know much about your climate and the maintenance requirements plus potential for invasiveness this may create but two websites that might help you more would be bambooweb . info - this one is forum for bamboo growers who may be better placed to advise. A lot of the bamboos I talk about in this video form quite open groves but Kimmei bamboo has a really helpful catalogue / guide so you can see what a lot of the best varieties look like and how they behave.
Great vid George. How long will that root barrier keep it contained? Do you worry that one day it might escape into your neighbour's garden? Thanks
Hi Gary and thanks! If you use the 2mm thick barrier it should contain it for years and years. I'd divide the plant long before it build up enough mass to cause issues and if you go to 600 or 700mm deep, it's very unlikely to go under it.
Hi, great video! I've just bought fargesia robusta 'campbell'. It's in a pot at the moment, but will be planting it in the ground next week. What sort of soil do you recommend?
Hi and thank you! Nice choice. They’re happy in most soils but prefer a richer soil with a good amount of organic matter to hold onto moisture. Imagine the soil you’d get in a woodland and you’re about there but they’re quite adaptable.
@@GeorgesJungleGarden @@GeorgesJungleGarden living in the city, there's not much variety/choice. Unfortunately shops like b&q / homebase are the only sorts places I can go. Being a complete novice, how would you go about planting the bamboo? Am I ok to mix top soil and compost soil, and using that?
@@Zulu321 Hi, I understand. Firstly, I'd make sure it's an area with enough room for the bamboo to expand, at least a metre in each direction to be on the safe side. Then I'd dig a hole maybe twice as big as I needed. If the soil is poor then I'd add soil conditioner or compost but the main way I'd add it is as a mulch after I'd planted. I'd water the bamboo in well and then add a couple of inches of soil conditioner on top to give it the best start.
Hi George could you tell me if arrow bamboo is a runner or a clumper as some sites give conflicting information
Hi Simon, arrow bamboo or Pseudosasa japonica is definitely a extremely vigorous spreading bamboo. Whilst it forms dense, impenetrable clumps, it definitely spreads like a runner. It's not one that I grow here but I'd certainly use a root barrier if I was going to plant it.
@George’s Jungle Garden thanks for the information George it's very helpful
@@simonl5464 No worries, happy to help. On the plus side, it is an incredibly tough, resilient and exotic looking bamboo so I wouldn't want to put you off entirely.
Can I just have some clarification please is the vivax clumping type ?
Hi Mandy, sorry if I didn’t make it clear, it’s a Phyllostachys which is a running bamboo.
On line sites say Phyllostachys vivax f. Aureocaulis grows in Zone 7 - 10. What is your zone there in the UK? I'm in 5b-6a in Ohio. I'm looking for the biggest timber variety bamboo but limited by cold winters.
Hi and apologies for my delayed reply. I guess we're technically 8a here but to me, the zones don't always tell the full story and over here it's the lack of consistent summer heat that really holds the big ones back. I think there's a US bamboo forum that it might be worth checking out, I always value experiences of growers in a similar area to me over what sellers or more general sites say. I guess you may get more summer heat than here but perhaps parvifolia is worth checking out?
This is the best video out on this. Can you give me any tips on how I might be able to barrier a very large section of land with the least cost and maintenance? I plan on using Phyllostachys vivax f. Aureocaulis.... Can rivers or other natural terrain/objects act as barriers?
Thank you so much! As for your question, if it’s a very large section of land I wouldn’t worry too much but if you don’t have the space for a large grove then yes, rivers and terrain should restrict it. Bamboo barrier is the best solution realistically but as you probably know it’s expensive and a lot of effort for sure!
@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks again. I will let you know it goes...
@@dalotos Thanks, it sounds like a cool project!
Does anyone have experience with 45-50cm raised beds to avoid spread in directions it's not wanted?
Hi and apologies for the delayed reply. Well-constructed raised beds could definitely control less vigorous options, I guess you'd have to be on top of the watering and soil improvement to keep the bamboo happy too.
I've just stumbled across your channel.. and what a lucky find it was!
Your enthusiasm and knowledge for bamboo is infectious. I was just wondering your opinion of another yellow caned variant -
Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis'
I'm in the UK and have planted in clay based soil, with good sun exposure. I'm hoping to create a privacy screen to block out an unsightly view. What is a realistic height and culm thickness to expect? Do you have any experience with this variety at all?
With all your tips I've gained I'll tender the grove with extra diligence and hopefully it will reap the rewards.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge for us all :-)
Thank you very much, that's very kind of you! I've got lots of vids on exotics including bamboo and garden design coming up this year. Regarding the Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis', I grow both that and the yellow 'Aureocaulis' variants. I like them. They're not the thickest culms when mature but are very upright and have vivid colours - when a bit taller they look great with the lower leaves & branches removed. Mine have soon shot up to 3m in a couple of years, I'd say they'll get to 5-6m and maybe 1" thickness culms. Not the fattest but definitely the potential to be an impressive plant. They like the sun and will screen well but I'd recommend a root barrier and plenty of organic matter / mulches to help them get the most out of your clay soil.
@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thank you for taking time to reply with some extra tips to boot.
I've been using grass clippings as a winter mulch which will hopefully add nitrogen to the clay soil. I too was smitten by the bright canes and lush leaves of 'Spectabilis' the contrast is spectacular! A little patience, love and lower branch manicures will hopefully bring forth the results I hope for in a few years time
Currently I'm enjoying binge viewing your channels content and the journey you've been through George. The transformation of your new homes garden is both breathtaking and fantastic! The vision and creativity you posses to transform the typical bland British garden to an exotic jungle retreat is inspiring. Plus I can't help but admire all that hard shoveling that was employed to make this dream come alive.
...time for me to consume a little more of your channel for inspiration and maybe ideas for my slice of tropical perfection!
Happy Jungle Retreating George :-)
@@fortyfour1654 Nice one, the grass should rot down well at this time year and I'm sure the results will come quick enough!
Thank you very much for your kind words and it's great to hear you're enjoying my videos! It's definitely a labour of love and a style of gardening that I hope will bring you excitement and satisfaction too! All the best and good luck with your 2023 garden plans!
Also, check the PH balance. That way you will know what your soil needs.
That's true, particularly if you live somewhere that may be excessively acidic or alkaline. Although for most garden soils I suspect adding organic matter to improve the structure and water retention will be the biggest help for bamboos.
Would a 8 by 6 and 1 feet deep with no bottom be enguh for a vivax and how big could it get in that container?. And also can my spectabilis get big?. I live in bergen norway
Hi and apologies for my delayed reply. Hi, it should be a good size to get some decent height and reasonable sized canes but the issue with having a container like that without a bottom is that the rhizomes will escape and pop up elswhere. Is planting directly into the ground with a rhizome barrier around an option? Spectablis is lovely, great colours and a fantastic upright habit but the culms don't get to quite the same thickness as vivax etc. It'll be a lovely bamboo that doesn't need a lot of heat to perform though but again I'd advise using a root barrier.
@@GeorgesJungleGarden I want it to spread soo il do it
Good luck!
Hi would you say this is the best one for garden privacy screening to block neighbours bedroom view from looking over my garden thank you.great vedio
Hi J B and thank you. What height do you need the bamboo to get and would you be controlling a running bamboo?
@@GeorgesJungleGarden thank you for your reply I wanted a clumping bamboo and wanted to screem second story neibours say 2 metres above a 6 foot fence.was contemplating planting a clumping form in the ground too was abit apprehensive about it.but for the patio I would plant them in large planters.
@@JB-lr1tf Something like Fargesia robusta 'Campbell' that I recommend a lot would be good then. It grows to around 3-4m tall and isn't invasive, it'll steadily grow to form a clump 2m or so across. All bamboos do better in the ground than in pots but you're right to be cautious if you're still doing your research.
@@GeorgesJungleGarden
Thanks for your reply I will research about that type of bamboo you suggested.😊
@@JB-lr1tf No worries 😃
Hi George, Do you have any recommendations on who to buy seeds and cuttings from? I have very limited space. In fact I’ll probably try containers before planting a grove. This seems like a hobby that can go horrible if you’re not paying attention lol.
Hi, I don't want to exaggerate the risks at all, with a bit of careful selection and preventative measures if required they're all amazing, tough and beautiful plants to grow. Personally I stick to growing from divisions, so much faster than growing from seed and I'd get in touch with somewhere like Scottish Bamboo to see what their tightest clumping varieties are. I'm sure they'll recommend a Fargesia as a great starter bamboo, they're not invasive. They won't get as big as some of the timber bamboos but don't need a barrier and will do so much better in the ground than in pots.
@@GeorgesJungleGardenYou didn't mention how deep you need to build a barrier if you want to stop the roots from running? If I was doing it again, I'd dig down a couple of feet and pour in a concrete barrier around my fence. And I am not exaggerating either. Years later after having to remove a big clump from my garden, it's still digging its way through the neighbouring pavement and road!
@@jonahwhale9047 Hi, you're completely right that a running bamboo just left to it has the potential to be a major issue! I'd honestly recommend a proper plastic bamboo rhizome barrier, concrete is prone to cracking. For some smaller bamboos a 500mm wide barrier planted to a 450mm depth would do just fine but to be as certain as possible with bigger Phyllostachys given plenty of space I'd go for a 750mm (2mm thick). I hope you manage to get your bamboo under control!
Have you got any blue bamboos, or could you recommend one?
Either clumping or spreading.
I do indeed, quite a few smaller plants. Borinda papyrifera CS1046 is a great choice as is Borinda KR 7613 but there’s quite a few other smaller blues, they generally tend to be clumpers as far as I know. There’s a mature papyrifera example towards the end of my recent Chatsworth vid.
@@GeorgesJungleGarden Hi George, thanks a lot, I wasn't too sure how hardy they were but I'm gonna give it a go now👍🙂
@@tedscott1478 I think the KR 7613 is tougher, worth a Google though, I remember the UK Bamboo site had quite a decent description of those stocked there. There are other blues but I think those are the key two for bigger culms.
bamboo rarely produces seeds, they mostly reproduces by underground rhizomes.
That is true and division is the most common method of propagation 👍
what kind of varieties of bamboo is suitable for european climate. Need to plant the Largest and heaviest varieties in France, Spain, Italy.
Hi, the sorts mentioned in this video along with other varieties like edulis which will grow well in your summer heat. I'd definitely recommend checking out Kimmei Bamboo for ideas and information!
should you use bamboos for reforestation?
There’s definite environmental positives but generally reforestation should be more sympathetic to the natural vegetation in my eyes (to give a quick answer).
👍👌
Cheers Chris, pleased you enjoyed the vid!
Why are stalks brown and not green and also can they live thru cat chewing leaves? 😊
Hi, you can get some browning after winter or on older growth and as long as the rest of the plant looks OK I wouldn't worry. That's not a question I've been asked before - I'd imagine some leaf damage wouldn't be a problem on established plants!
CAN you speak about the Washingtonia or Phœnix canariensis ? 😉
I might wait until mine has been in the ground a bit longer but we’ll see! 😃
really big CANES
That's what you want! Not sure if you've capitalised canes as a correction or not, but they're generally known as culms whilst still growing and canes when cut. You can't beat the look of a big bamboo though!
Orite mate I'm looking for something to grow on my balcony for some shade and for some privacy and I'm thinking bamboo would be ideal in a planter But my question is would bamboo survive on a balcony and what type would you recommend ✌️ Good video Cheers 👍
Thanks! I guess it depends how how exposed your balcony is to relentless wind and sun but as long as it gets a bit of shade, you can use a decent sized pot and keep it watered well, I’d go for a Fargesia. You won’t get big culms in a pot but you can potentially have a nice graceful plant that’ll bring evergreen colour and an exotic touch to the balcony. Check out Scottish Bamboo for some ideas on varieties 👍
@@GeorgesJungleGarden lol I'm from Edinburgh Not even joking and I didn't know there was Scottish Bamboo 😂 that's cool But yea my balcony gets the full elements in winter especially the wind But in the spring Ideal for plants especially vegetables grows fast and in da summer it's a heat trap / outdoor oven lol By the start of summer the balcony is a mini jungle It's class Plus got alot of my neighbours growing vegetables on there balcony's 😀 But yea If the bamboo doesn't workout I might juss go for a couple of wall / fence climber's I've got a net cross the balcony to stop pigeons getting in So it would be Ideal for w/f climber's That might be the way to go . Thanks for your time n feedback I'll look into the Scottish Bamboo 👍 cheer man ✌️
@@billyboy17ify Haha what are the chances?! It could be worth giving a bamboo a go and the smaller Fargesias are definitely more suited to pot culture. But yes, a climber could be great too. No worries and good luck with your jungle balcony!
Is vivas clumping?
Just replying to this to clear it off my comments list and help anyone else reading, they are indeed a runner like all Phyllostachys have the potential to be, even if they look like they're clumping at first.
how do you grow a giant chicken though? I like bamboos but I prefer chickens? 🦖
Some say you need to grow a giant egg first but who knows…
Bought some from the grocery growing in water until they started to send out points. At which time transferring to soil indoors, spring a bit late here in the North Western US. The original stalks perished but the pups surviving in a concrete raised bed. Which gets full southern exposure I never need to shovel the snow there.
Nice one, great work! It sounds like a sheltered spot that'll work well, good luck with it!
Sorry just seen the answer!
No worries 😊
I planted a vivax bamboo this summer in my garden . I didn't install a root barrier . My neighbours are all separated by concrete walls . I don't mind if the plants runs in my garden . Are concrete walls enough to contain the bamboo .I'm sure it depends on how deep they go. But just in general. I live in a 2 story house in a housing estate in Ireland very similar to a uk housing estate . Ive one more question 😁 Ive have Phyllostachys aureosulcata golden bamboo I had it in the ground for 3 years and it was getting nice and big so I decided to trim the lower branches off to show off clums but the following year all my new shoots failed and the next year they all failed . Only this year I had shoots that didn't fail .Am I better off waiting untill the bamboo reaches the the height I want before I start to thin out the lower clums?
Hi, in all honesty, I'd recommend digging in a root barrier. The concrete walls are unlikely to go deep enough to restrict a mature bamboo and although concrete sounds like an incredibly strong material, it can be more brittle whereas a rhizome barrier is designed to control it. It's worth the effort long term in my opinion. As for your aureosulcata, if it's only a young plant and less than around two metres high, I'd certainly wait for it to build up more energy before trimming it much. I don't know if that would cause the new shoots to fail but it'll certainly grow better long term with all the branches until it gets to a good size.
@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks for the advice 👍 I'll get a root barrier . Better safe than sorry
No worries, I think you're completely right.
I have on my garden its spreading from my neighbours to my garden 🤯😅
Oh dear, I'd probably have a word and get them to sort it!
Your right clumping bamboo doesn't spread running does can ruin your foundation sucks all the water out of your soil it can't be recommended
If planted with care and precautions then they are amazing plants to grow that look like nothing else, if left uncontrolled next to foundations or where it’ll outcompete other plants then, no, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Why are they recommending bamboo it takes over your yard
Running bamboos have the potential to be invasive, yes, clumping varieties don’t. The biggest varieties are runners though so this video is all about how to grow the biggest possible whether you have the space or need to contain it with barrier.
Love your videos and your enthusiastic approach. But please do not speak so fast. Maybe because I'm Danish, English is not my mother tongue, but it's getting harder and harder to follow. Especially in this video you are speaking faster and faster, the further along we get. It may just be your enthusiasm shining through, or do you have maximum length your videos may be?
Hi Erik, thank you for the compliment and valid feedback! This video was probably a bit too fast, I agree. I do like to have an enthusiastic approach to videos but when I don't plan a loose script out like in this video I might get a bit carried away! There's no maximum lengths or anything like that but in this one particular vid there is a reason - I couldn't film for an hour in the early evening due to a loud tractor in the nearby field and kids playing loudly a couple of gardens away so I ended up in a bit of a battle against the dropping light levels to get this one done. Completely take on board your point though and I suppose I do need to consider that what is fast paced and enthusiastic for a native English speaker may be difficult for others to understand, so thank you for your honesty and taking the time to comment.
Wonderfull informations ,what type of bamboo would you sugest for climate in Romania to obtain giant bamboo for building,considering summer very hot but 3 months a year below zero degree Celcius.Thanx i subscribe
All the best
Hi and thank you very much! Personally I'd get in touch with somewhere like Kimmei bamboo who have a similar climate and see what they would especially recommend. Vivax might grow the fastest / biggest but it has quite thin walls so wouldn't be the best for building. Moso bamboo might be a better option structurally but I'd get in touch with them or do some research on their site to see which giant bamboo plants grow big with your heat, are tough enough to survive the winters and also produce the right quality of canes.
Phyllostachys astrovaginata should grow great in your location.
I've actually got one planted quite centrally, I"m looking forward to seeing it size up!
czcams.com/video/e_jeFSaYP2U/video.htmlsi=bZpwjDRR3KcMM1p0
Bambusa bambos/bambusa arundinacea (katang baans) pulling machine.
Wow, that's a powerful machine! I imagine it'll be a good few years before I need anything like that to thin mine out here in the UK haha!