Hello, can anyone help with advice as to how to manage a bamboo hedge along one side of our strata property so that it remains fully leafed as a screen yet not too tall. We have black bamboo which was infested with mites so we have stripped all the old leaves off to avoid re-infesting new growth as it comes in. So far things look good. However, over the years the hedge has not been properly managed and kept trimmed appropriately. At some point, the tops were lopped off at about the 2m height which resulted in "clumps" of unruly growth at the top. At spots along the hedge, there are gaps with no stalks while at others there is quite thick growth. Question: As new growth comes in, what is the best way to keep the hedge trimmed so it remains fully leafed but not too tall as part of it is under a glass canopy protecting the mailboxes. Appreciate any advice or suggestions. Ted
Structure of each culm determined before it grows. However, cutting out some old, tall culms is sure to promote growth of shorter culms that will branch lower. Removing part of the plant reduces plant's ability to produce full-sized top growth, that is why recent transplants cut out of clumps or groves produce much shorter and thinner culms afterward.
