If you aren’t planting the bamboos immediately, ensure they are watered thoroughly every day in their pots to prevent the root balls from drying out. However they don’t like constantly wet roots so do not leave them sitting in water. Follow this guide to achieve the best and quickest results.
If you have any further questions please ask!

Please note that planting recommendations are not one size fits all. Different species of bamboo and different gardens vary greatly. Please speak to one of our friendly staff members regarding the best advice for your particular area.

GROUND PREPARATION

  • Dig a hole for planting a single bamboo, or dig a trench/garden bed if you are planting a hedge or screen.
  • Dig a minimum of 40cm deep, to allow for their roots to establish in soft soil beneath them. It is important to make the hole/trench as wide as you want the bamboo to grow. Digging slightly bigger then the pot size is not suitable, as the plants then have to struggle through hard soil on either side. You want to make it easy for them!
  • Then dig the full length you want the screen to be. (See planting diagrams below).
  • If you are using the existing soil in your garden (particularly for hard, sandy, clay, rocky or depleted soils) Lightly spread Garden Mate soil conditioner across the bottom of the trench to open up clay, improve soil structure and/or drainage issues and to promote ongoing health and nutrition in your soil.
  • Mix mushroom compost into the soil (1/3 compost to 2/3 soil ratio) to directly build up organic nutrients.
  • If you are replacing poor quality soil or you are filling a raised garden bed, the recommended soil to get is ‘organic
    top soil’ or ‘top soil for lawn’. Add the 1/3 mushroom compost if it not already mixed in. A great guide to follow is that
    if you are paying less then $70/m3 for soil or compost, it is most likely poor quality.

Note: Ensure that the compost and soil you get is not fresh and ‘hot’. If the soil is too fresh and still breaking down, it can heat up and ‘burn’ plants roots! Ensure you get ready to use mixes that are properly prepared.
Note: Clumping bamboo do not require a root barrier as they are not running, invasive types. However if you are keeping their natural clump size smaller, you can use a root barrier to physically prevent it & minimise maintenance.

PLANTING IN THE GROUND

  • Remove the bamboo from the pot without teasing the roots (cut off the pot if necessary). Although most plant like their roots being teased out, bamboo do not need it. It is best to keep the rootball as intact as possible.
  • Submerge the rootball in a tub/bucket of water until all the air bubbles cease (1-2 mins).
  • Adding Seasol Plant Tonic into this water is highly recommended to minimise shock and encourage new growth.

Note: This step is essential for 400mm pots and bigger, to ensure the established plants will not dry out in the centre of the rootball. You could fill up a wheelbarrow/giant tub rotate the bamboo in it to wet the entire area of the roots.

Or, line your planting hole with a tarp and fill it, submerge the bamboo, then drag the tarp out before planting.

  • Clumping bamboo grow in a circular clump. Usually, the width of the garden bed is the same distance you would
    plant apart (Example: In an 80cm wide space, you would plant the bamboo 80cm apart each from the centre of the) However please refer to any specific recommendations regarding your own garden.
  • Backfill some of the soft soil/compost mixture into the base of the hole to raise it slightly. Place the bamboo in the hole/trench so that the top of the rootball is only slightly lower (1-2cm) than the soil surface.
  • Firmly backfill around the bamboo with the soil and compost mixture and fill the hole/trench completely.
  • Lightly spread Garden Mate soil conditioner across the top of the soil and water in.

PLANTING IN A POT OR A PLANTER BOX

  • Always make sure your pots/planters has drainage hole, for bottom layer place 2 good handfuls of scoria over drainage holes.
  • Using a good quality all purpose potting mix (generally around the $8 mark) fill the planter box to 2/3 full, then remove the bamboo from their plastic pots (do not tease the roots) and space out accordingly onto the layer of potting mix.   Then backfill  to 90% full.
  • If you are using our Polystone planter boxes… Medium size  100 litres , Large size  180 Litres , X large  240 Litres of Premium potting mix
  • The most important part, give them a thorough watering through out.
  • To help feed the plant and keep the moisture in, place a good 1 inch of sugar cane mulch around the plants and then water the sugar cane in.
  • VERY IMPORTANT to keep them well watered for the first 8-10 weeks to get the bamboo established.
  • Happy Bambooing.