A bamboo in a pot brings us closer to the land of smiles on terraces, balconies and public places. As a mobile green, it provides the necessary protection from wind and prying eyes where planting on the ground is out of the question.

Decorative pots, tubs, mobile containers or inexpensive mortar tubs with bamboo plants create green oases. Even if the bamboo in the pot does not reach the height or stalk diameter of free-planted specimens, it can grow up to five meters tall. Like all potted plants, it requires a little more care and nutrient supply.

Bamboo in a pot - what should be considered?

The ideal location should be sheltered from the wind, sunny to partially shaded. It is important that the container is at least 60 liters in size, transportable and frost-proof. It does not matter whether the bamboo plant forms root suckers or not. The roots won't come out of the pot. This is how you prepare the pot for planting the bamboo:

  • Drill openings of 3 to 5 millimeters for water drainage to avoid waterlogging
  • Place shards of pottery over the openings to prevent them from clogging
  • Fill in a drainage layer of expanded clay (€19.73) or gravel approx. 5 centimeters high
  • fill up to 2/3 with humus-rich soil
  • Thoroughly water the root ball before planting

Place the damp root ball in the center of the prepared pot. The top edge of the root ball should be about 5 centimeters below the edge of the pot. Then fill up with special bamboo soil up to 1 centimeter above the root ball. Water generously after planting. So that the earth can settle around the root ball.

If the bamboo is to stay outside in the pot over the winter, it makes sense to plant hardy varieties such as:

  • Phyllostachys bissetii
  • Phyllostachys aureosulcata Aureocaulis
  • Phyllostachys aureosulcata Spectabilis
  • Fargesia rufa

What care does the bamboo need in the pot?

Bamboos are among the heavy-consuming plants. Therefore, they need a slow-acting complete fertilizer with a high nitrogen content in the pot. The first application of fertilizer can be done after planting or at the end of March. Stop fertilizing by the end of June at the latest so that the bamboo plants mature and increase their resistance to overwintering.

A bamboo is always thirsty. Especially in summer. At the latest when its leaves roll, watering is necessary immediately. Better not let it get that far. Because that means unnecessary stress for you and your bamboo. Make sure that there is no waterlogging in the pot or saucer. The bamboo reacts to this with yellow leaves!

When to transplant the bamboo in the pot?

The bamboo is only vital and healthy if there is enough soil and nutrients at its feet. Depending on growth, a matted root ball must therefore be transplanted every 2 - 4 years in early spring. To do this, break up the root ball, divide it several times or shorten long rhizomes.

tips and tricks

Remove older culms and thin, weak shoots regularly. So that the beautiful ornamental straws come into their own, cut off the side branches a little from below.

Category:

Herbs