New Buddha's Belly plants turning brown. Help!

[ukandy]

Hi,

I just had 16 Buddha's Belly bamboo plants planted in my garden to make a hedge. The plants are about 4 to 6 feet high and about three to five feet apart. The ground is heavy clay. The plants are in mostly full sunlight until late afternoon. A new sprinkler system was installed which waters the plants for 10 minutes at 6am and at 5pm each day. The plants were planted about two weeks ago.

The plants are gradually growing browner. I don't want them to die and need advice on how to help them. Do I give them more water? or less water? Should I trim off the dead pieces of the plants?

The plants are still about 50% green and I wondered if they will settle in and I should just leave them to settle or if I need to do something now.

I would be very grateful for any advice anyone could help me with to keep them healthy and in good shape.

Thanks

[CaroleMeckes]

Hello ukandy,
Has any dirt been added to amend the heavy clay?

You might try less water - bamboo does not like to have "wet feet" and the heavy clay would hold water longer. The bamboo will tell you when it needs water as the leaves will fold in when thirsty - but new plantings always need more water to help them get established.

You also might check with your supplier to make sure the plants were well established when you got them.
Carole

[ukandy]

Hi Carole,

Thanks for the reply. The leaves are already curled and turning brown, but the ground is wet. I am not sure if dirt was added to the clay. Perhaps I should let them have a day to dry out a little?

[CaroleMeckes]

Yes - let the soil dry out a little bit.
Carole