Bamboo Care - 'escape proof'...None of this running free nonsense
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Climate. Can you have bamboo in your locality? Planting in Ground. Plant the tropics in your garden. Escape Proof Bamboo. None of this running free nonsense. Planting in Pots. Bamboo stays smaller in pots. Bamboo Indoors. House training your bamboo.
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Running Bamboo must be confined to prevent it spreading
If you really need to grow bamboo in the ground, we suggest that one of the many Clumping Bamboo species be considered.
Ok! Running bamboo it is then.
Fortunately bamboo is a very shallow rooted plant, it can be confined indefinitely, within a suitably designed ‘escape proof’ planter. The material used is HDPE a very flexible plastic which can be formed into any shape.
Learn the tips and tricks of the trade so you can bamboo with confidence.
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Transplanting. Have bamboo will travel.
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Removing bamboo. How to kill an unwanted bamboo?
Trimming. Shape your bamboo once a year.only.
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Food & Water. Bamboo is easy to love.
Troubleshooting. Where there's leaf there's life.
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Glossary of Terms. New and forgotten bamboo related words.
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The 'escape proof' planter (Rhizome barrier)
The 'escape proof' planter is set into the ground, deeper than the bamboo rhizome structure.
Between 600 mm and 900 mm deep.
Please refer to the setup drawings, adapting them where necessary, to fit your...plan.
We recommend planters be 900 mm deep. 600 mm barrier is used for shallow or very poor soil.

If helpful, mark out your idea on the ground using a can of spray paint.

The HDPE barrier material is supplied off-the-roll, either 600 mm or 900 mm wide, and it is very easy to cut with a box knife.
Setup your 'escape proof' planter
in six steps 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
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Soil level
With the bamboo installed, soil level outside the planter can be flush with the top of the planter.
However, the soil level inside the planter should be at least 50mm below the lip.
New rhizome that grows over the edge can be seen and cut off.

To Finish
Water well and top dress with fertilizer (e.g. Dynamic Lifter.) Annual maintenance will be required to keep the bamboo looking fresh.

Download the full document
For your convenience, please download the complete 'escape proof' planter setup document.
ep021205.pdf (835 KB.)
Download the complete 'escape proof' planter setup document - 835 KB.
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How to size your planter?
Bamboo height Min. planter diameter
4 metres (12') 500mm (19")
6 metres (18') 600mm (23")
10 metres (30') 1000mm (39")
10 metres + 1500mm +
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