Bamboo Fertlizer

[_Keith]

Since bamboo are members of the grass family, or at least I saw someone write that, should they be fertilized with regular old lawn fertlizer (high nitrogen formula) or is their some other optimum nutrient balance for them?

[Mark_NoVA]

As far as I know, grass fertilizer, whatever your preference.

I don't know what the consensus is on this, but a couple of expert growers advocated not fertilizing before shooting, believing that this encourages more and smaller shoots. They thought it better to fertilize later and through the summer, thinking that bigger rhizomes will lead to bigger shoots and culms, I guess.

[Walter John]

Fertilise with water.

[Justin]

I use composted chicken manure once a year, usually in the spring sometime. Unless the leaves are showing some sort of malnutrition, I'm not sure how much fertilizer is actually necessary.

[Tyrone]

Bamboos don't like too many fertiliser salts in the soil. They will grow on anything grass lives on. Composted manures send them nuts. They are hungry things.

Best regards

Tyrone

[_Keith]

Fertilise with water.

With nearly 60 inches of rain in the last 4 month water IS a problem, along with crazy weather.

I planted two pots of Moso (each a single shoot) last year.

One sent out one shoot last year which met a bad fate via a family member and lawn mower, don't ask. About a month ago high winds snapped the original shoot off completely at 1 foot high.

The other, which did not shoot last year, was broken off about the same height last summer, but not completely. I used steel rods and duct tape to re-erect it, and it is still alive. But I know this is it. If it doesn't shoot this year, the original shoot won't hang in there a second year with that rig I have.

So, bottomline, my $120 investment in these two bamboo hangs in the balance and doesn't look so good.

I am a bit desperate.

[_Keith]

As far as I know, grass fertilizer, whatever your preference.

I don't know what the consensus is on this, but a couple of expert growers advocated not fertilizing before shooting, believing that this encourages more and smaller shoots. They thought it better to fertilize later and through the summer, thinking that bigger rhizomes will lead to bigger shoots and culms, I guess.

See my response to Wal. Right now, I would be real happy with more and smaller shoots to establish them. Next year they can do bigger shoots.

[Mark_NoVA]

Well, then, fert away soon! Moso shoots really early in the season. That composted manure suggestion made me remember I've used Milorganite (MILwaukee ORGanic NITrogEn, composted sewer sludge), which is the type of stuff that can be used on grass. Couldn't really tell if it made a difference, but I doubt it could hurt!

Also, I want to clarify that I don't know if that fert-timing suggestion is true or not, just that a couple of expert growers advocated that.

As far as I know, grass fertilizer, whatever your preference.

I don't know what the consensus is on this, but a couple of expert growers advocated not fertilizing before shooting, believing that this encourages more and smaller shoots. They thought it better to fertilize later and through the summer, thinking that bigger rhizomes will lead to bigger shoots and culms, I guess.

See my response to Wal. Right now, I would be real happy with more and smaller shoots to establish them. Next year they can do bigger shoots.

[John Case]

Most of the boo nuts I correspond with use composted horse manure.......these guys all have 30 or more species and are very particular.

[MattyB]

Keith,

I'm relatively new to growing Bamboo, but I read that they'll take regular ole lawn fertilizer just fine (25-0-0). I throw a handfull on every month in the summer. I like to fertilize more often with less amounts than written on the labels.

[Jeff Searle]

I have approx. 15 varieties in the yard and they like two things, water and fertilizer. I use a palm special everytime I fertilize the palms. I seroiusly doubt they know the difference. Bamboo's are not picky.

[_Keith]

I have approx. 15 varieties in the yard and they like two things, water and fertilizer. I use a palm special everytime I fertilize the palms. I seroiusly doubt they know the difference. Bamboo's are not picky.

Jeff, I truly value your opinion, but being out of palm fertilizer, I took the next recommendation and threw some lawn fertlizer in the area, just in front of tonights rains. Yes, it is raining again, which is fricken unbelievable. Well, I threw them a kiss, some fertlizer, and wished them luck. The vendor recommended I walk nowhere near them as I could break off a runner under the soil with the weight of my foot. Ce la vie'.

[ariscott]

organics work well with mine....

[sick1166]

horse poo

[palmmermaid]

Keith,

There is a bamboo nursery near me. He uses piles of horse manure. That's what I put on mine. I also pile it on my bananas and put it in the hole when I plant roses. They all seem to do well with it. Since I have a constant supply of manure, I don't have to pay for it. Although my neighbor and another person are now fighting over it, I still manage to get some for my use. I just take it out of the stall and put it on my plants. I've never had anything burn from direct application.

[Natureguy]

keith,

everything that has been said is true, but you don't need to grow through great lengths to fertilize bamboo. The most important part of growing bamboo is MULCH and lots of it. Water is important of course, but the mulch helps retain the moisture and it should be mixed in the soil and lots on top. I have four species of bamboo and I am trying to get them to grow very quickly. All summer I fill the beds with grass clippings and they blowup like you wouldn't believe. Other than that they don't require much.....hope this helps

Bob

[Justin]

I can vouch for the Milorganite as well. I've used that and the composted chicken manure (brand name EZ-Green), both with good success. I also mulched heavily a year or so ago, and that has done wonders, probably more than the fertilizer.

[MattyB]

I agree that mulch is the #1 thing you can do.

[sick1166]

mulch with horse manure and use it fresh wow what a diffferance

[_Keith]

I threw out a little lawn fertilizer for now, not a lot. I will also mulch heavily once things begin to dry out, but it far too wet right now. And move to manure fertilizer. Thank everyone for all the advice.

[Tyrone]

Horse manure is great on bamboo, even if it's a little warm when you put it down. They just lap it up.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Walter John]

I threw out a little lawn fertilizer for now, not a lot. I will also mulch heavily once things begin to dry out, but it far too wet right now. And move to manure fertilizer. Thank everyone for all the advice.

Any change Keith ?

I just planted Bambusa chungii and gracilis on the weekend, used horse manure and sugar cane mulch

[rozpalm]

Definitely Horse poo. I get mine special delivery!

[_Keith]

I threw out a little lawn fertilizer for now, not a lot. I will also mulch heavily once things begin to dry out, but it far too wet right now. And move to manure fertilizer. Thank everyone for all the advice.

Any change Keith ?

I just planted Bambusa chungii and gracilis on the weekend, used horse manure and sugar cane mulch

Yes, a good change. The single Bamboo shoot that broke off this early spring sent up 4 new shoots in the last couple of weeks. The other, however, seems done for. But that's OK, one out of two ain't bad considering the last 24 months of insane weather around here.