how frequently do you have to water a potted chinese bamboo ? is keeping the earth damp enough ?

Question

my bamboo keeps switching from energy to dessication. I'm suspecting it's either under or over watering. The bamboo is a potted fargesia which used to be in a garden. I transplanted it some months ago and now it's dying, after a phase when it sent up new shoots. leaf tips are becoming yellow, then drying out and falling. Help !

Answer 1

Because it is not invasive, Fargesia can be planted as a specimen, screen, or even Container Plant. It is a beautiful specimen in the small garden. You don't have to worry about it. Fargesia is deer resistant, disease free, and low maintenance.

In the spring there is considerable yellowing of the leaves, followed by leaf drop. This is natural and should not cause concern, as bamboos are evergreen and naturally renew their leaves in the spring. They should loose their leaves gradually as they are replaced by fresh new ones. In the spring on a healthy bamboo there should be a mixture of green leaves, yellow leaves and newly unfurling leaves.

Fertilizer (but not weed-n-feed types) that is sold for grass would be appropriate, though manure from any animal, compost or fish fertilizer would be just fine. Many bamboo people recommend organic, slow-release formulas. Bamboo needs Quite A Bit Of Water so if you see the leaves curl, it’s past time to water.

Some bamboos do better in full sun, others in full shade.
Don’t remove the leaves that drop from the plant, they serves as mulch around the base of the plant. The leaves contain silica that the plant will need for future growth and it keeps down weeds.

Fargesias, Thamnocalamus and Sasas do well with, light to moderate shade. In fact the Fargesias and most Thamnocalamus are happier with some shade during the hottest part of the day.

If you notice light colored splotches on the tops of the leaves and silvery spots on the bottom of the leaves, you have bamboo mites. These don’t kill the bamboo, but they do make it look less beautiful. There are insecticidal soaps, home-brew remedies and biological controls that bamboo people try.

Answer 2

Bamboo must be in standing water.