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Planting Bamboo in a Trough

• Message 1. 

  Posted by TomBradbury (U3349234) on Sunday, 28th November 2010

  I want to put bamboo in a trough so I can place it strategically in front of the fence to increase privacy on the patio and views into the house conservatory - I'm looking at a trough around the size of 100cm x 50cm x 41cm (L x W x H). Is this likely to be large enough for a couple or so years? I'm thinking of something like a Phyllostachys Nigra (Black Bamboo) as I've read it is quite happy in a container, and being a clumping kind, won't out size itself too quickly. It can grow up to 6m, but suspect it will be smaller in a trough.
  
  

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• Message 2

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  Posted by TomBradbury (U3349234) on Saturday, 4th December 2010

  Ping!

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• Message 3

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  Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Sunday, 5th December 2010

  That's plenty big enough, and would last indefintitely.
  
  Tall bamboos will grow in relatively small pots. You can easily get a 3m bamboo growing in a 20cm pot. You can see examples like that in many garden centres. The problem there is one of toppling over.
  
  Growing in a trough prevents invasive varieties of bamboo from getting out of control, though Phyllostachys is not a root-spreading variety.
  
  The only problem with Phyllostachys, is that it is not a particularly erect variety, and it can easily flop with rain or snow on it. The 6m vertical can become 6m horizontal.

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  Posted by TomBradbury (U3349234) on Sunday, 5th December 2010

  Thank you Gary, that's really helpful. I guessed that the Phyllostachys would not grow so tall in a trough, but sounds like it may do. Can you (or anybody else?) recommend something more suitable and that would stay vertical? Probably don't need something as tall as 6m! 3m/4m would probably be more than sufficient. And ideally, clumping.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by abbotsmillmo (U13936954) on Sunday, 5th December 2010

  Hi Tim,
  
  I did exactly what you intend to do.Our neighbour cut down a very good tree, so then I planted up 2 large troughs I had made .
  I have put in Fargesia nitida,( Nymphenburg. )1 in each, this was about 2 years ago. It make a good screen and looks lovely.
  These ones are clumping and erect in growth. Mo.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Monday, 6th December 2010

  A very good way to constrain growth is to use a small pot/trough.
  
  A few years ago there was only a very small selection of bamboos available. That's why Phyllostachys is so commonly mentioned.
  
  But there is actually a vast variety. Specialist bamboo nurseries can supply bamboos to fit virtually any requirement. I'm not in touch with most of the varieties that are available today, like the one mentioned by Mo. That sounds like a good one.
  
  Mine were all ordered through mail order, and delivered by Parcel Post or carrier - whacking long parcels 10' long. It works.

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• Message 7

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  Posted by TomBradbury (U3349234) on Monday, 6th December 2010

  I've taken the plunge and bought a Fargesia Robusta from a specialist online bamboo retailer. A friend used the same company before and said they were good quality and arrived, as you say in a long box. She said it was just like two coffins had been delivered! I've also ordered my trough.

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• Message 8

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  Posted by TomBradbury (U3349234) on Thursday, 9th December 2010

  Eek! My bamboo arrived today by mail order - however, pot it is in (or rather the compost) is frozen solid like a brick. From the description, my bamboo is hardy down to around -20c. Does that also mean the roots are OK at -20c - will the bamboo survive with having frozen roots? Plant has lost a few leaves in transit (handful) but otherwise looks 'alive'. Too soon to say?
  
  Going to plonk it on the patio at rear of house and let it thaw out overnight - currently around 4c where I am so it should thaw slowly.
  

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• Message 9

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  Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Friday, 10th December 2010

  Last Winter we had a prolonged spell with temperatures below zero. I'd guess that the frost would have penetrated quite some way down into the soil. Bamboo roots are not very deep, and all mine survived.
  
  Pots (and troughs) are a colder environment than having roots buried in the soil. Soil does take some time to lose its heat, so it does act as a weak form of insulation. Though if frost is prolonged, nothing will prevent the soil from losing its heat and freezing.
  
  I would imagine that bamboos in some garden centres are sitting in pots outside right now.

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