For rhizome control and maintenance, late October is the time of year to head to your bamboo site or hedge with your weapon of choice. Dig down six to ten inches around the perimeter where you want your bamboo to stay. As you encounter rhizomes, sever them with pruners, loppers or a sharp spade. Remove what is growing beyond where you want.

Our favorite maintenance tool is the King of Spades shovel (which we now sell). For an old, dense, rhizome patch our Bamboo Slammer is ideal.

When I first started to do rhizome pruning, it took me about two years to become a believer as to whether or not this system really works. It does! There have been times when I may have missed a rhizome, but this is rare. If I see shoots coming up the next spring where I don't want them, I deal with the situation right away. Take action and you will be back in control.

If you have not thinned your bamboo, it's okay to do it now. We don't recommend too much thinning if your plants are less than three years old. If you want maximum size diameter and growth, it is best to just let the plant grow and photosynthesize until you get at least one-half inch diameter culms.

If you are going for the gusto, feed your bamboo with an organic or slow release fertilizer specified for grasses. Nitrogen applied in fall helps root growth as well as stem growth. Studies have shown the last application in the fall is the most crucial since nutrients are stored within the plant until favorable growing conditions in the spring. Organic sources of fertilizer like bone meal and animal manure break down best in warmer soil temperatures so use them now. A good layer of mulch will also keep the rhizomes warm and happy through the winter along with providing nutrients. --Mary Peterson

More Info About Bamboo Care & Control

After eleven plus years of bamboo parenting we decided it was time to update our 'how to take care of your bamboo' literature. We have been giving out new information sheets since spring, but if you missed receiving a copy, stop in or send us a self-addressed stamped envelope. Take note that our mailing address is different than our drive-to address.

Our Retail Greenhouse Gets End-walls

Whether you need help selecting just the right plant or know exactly what you are looking for, we hope to see you at the nursery this fall and winter. Stop by and see our remodeling.