Hi, just wondered if anybody new what the best sort of soil mix, to use in a raised bed for planting bamboo.?

Question

Not trying to be rude about the first few answers, but from my limited knowledge of bamboo, only a few varieties of bamboo are very invasive and ive never heard of one that has roots 6ft deep. There are only a few from a select species that are deep rooting. Does anybody who really knows about bamboo have the answer?

Answer 1

You are correct in being rude as many that answer questions about bamboo with it "being invasive" have no idea what they talk about.

The running bamboos, usually in the Phyllostachys family, can be considered invasive IF they are not properly contained. Tehn again, there are numerous trees that have roots that are just as invasive but way more destructive, yet people continure to plant these everyday.

Anyways, back on topic, if you are planting bamboo in a raised bed and have access to all sides, you could certainly plant a running bamboo in that, but you would still need to watch for escaping runners.

The "neighbor friendly" bamboo that many plant are clumpers and slowly grow outwards in a circles, no different than a large shrub. There are numerous varieties that will withstand temps even below zero. Of course your choice would be dependent on your local climate.

As for what to plant them in, sure bamboo will grow in numerous types of soil, but I always plant my bamboos in a mixture of potting soil, peat moss and perlite. This ensures some better drainage as not all bamboos like to be drowned, which some soils will do to the bamboo after a heavy rain. Also, bamboo likes a nice layer of mulch and monthly doses of fertilizer to keep it growing nice and strong.

Answer 2

Bamboo doesn't care what it is planted in. Good soil, poor soil really doesn't matter. It will run amok. Bamboo, if we're talking ordinary bamboo grows roots 6 feet deep and will quickly grow out of the raised bed that is unless the boarders of your raised bed are submerged 6 or more feet below ground level.

Okay, not 6 foot, that's my bad, but that's what I've always heard all the way from my grandfather to others in answers trying to get rid of the stuff. I do know from personal experience that bamboo, at least the runner variety, is almost impossible to get rid of and will get away from you unless contained. I also know from experience that bamboo, pretty much any bamboo, will grow in just about any soil. Anyhow, if you don't want the problem we are speaking of then I would stick with a clumping bamboo.

American Bamboo society:
http://landscaping.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=landscaping&cdn=homegarden&tm=5&gps=86_48_1012_585&f=22&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=12&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.americanbamboo.org/

This site says,
"Bamboo can be grown in most types of soil provided they are not rocky":
http://www.farminfo.org/othercrops/bamboo.htm

Answer 3

Bamboo is a weed.
A very aggressive, invasive, hard to kill weed.

It is very difficult to contain within a given area, unless you are able to go over 3 feet deep with an impermeable border that will not crack, slip, or deteriorate.

It looks pertty - but it will take over a garden or lawn area in not time flat and will be very laborious to get rid of.

Strongly suggest against planting ANY bamboo outside of an individual clay or ceramic pot. You have been forewarned.

072507 1:15

Answer 4

My answer would be NOT to plant bamboo in a raised bed, because it will run riot and take over everything else in the bed!
If you must have bamboo, plant in a large pot, this keeps it contained. Once bamboo has 'escaped' it's almost impossible to remove!

Answer 5

I used a general purpose Compost in mine and it's growing at an alarming rate!!!!!!

Regarding the above answer.... put a circle of corrugated metal around it to avoid this!!!