I have planted a bamboo shrub in my back yard. Each plant is classified as a Fargesia Robusta (clumping bamboo) For reasons I cannot determine, the Fargesia Robusta planted on the right side of my yard are not growing tall. What steps can I take to ensure they grown taller and wider? Any assistance you can provide will be much appreciated.
Reasons that they are smaller may be lack of nutrients, poor soil,not enough water, not enough light, too windy or significant competition from other plants. Have you tried lawn fertilizer? Then again I have had bamboo that did not grow for a couple or three years suddenly take off...
Thanks for the quick reply. Yes I suspect it could be any reasons you have listed. I have tried plant fertilizer but not lawn fertilizer. I am hesitant to try more fertilizer without knowing which to purchase, can you recommend a fertilizer? Also i should have mentioned i live in port moody, and they are planted underneath trees. There are pine needles and such falling in the area.
mulch, mulch, mulch...medium to coarse wood chips are best. This will alleviate the likely issue, given the situation you describe, which is inadequate moisture. Even without fertilization (which is necessary over time...whether as fertilizer, compost or manure) Fargesia robusta ought to send out at least a few shoots, unless it's too dry. Which is more likely given its location beneath conifers.
We have 2 plants. One is planted under a fir tree with overhanging branch's and struggling to stay alive. I plan to move it to a wet area where there is a lot of winter rain run off. The other is near a butterfly and apple tree . It is flourishing and slowly taking over the area. It gets light and the soil is better.
