Growing in pots

[TexasGrower]

Hey, I'm growing some moso in pots before I put them in the ground. Mainly cause I need to find some good places to plant them. I put them in big enough pots so they have tons of room to grow. I was curious about the watering, light, etc. Morning shade, afternoon shade? Take the bottoms off so the water can drain all the time? Give me some advice what do to so they grow good.

[Dean W.]

Where in Texas are you?

[TexasGrower]

Where in Texas are you?


A place called Dallas.

[Dean W.]

LOL!!! The reason I asked because I've heard that Moso dosen't like our climate much. It likes a more humid enviroment more like East Texas or Lousianna.

Dean

[TexasGrower]

LOL!!! The reason I asked because I've heard that Moso dosen't like our climate much. It likes a more humid enviroment more like East Texas or Lousianna.

Dean

Oh, it gets humid here. Not as much as those places, but it does.

[ShmuBamboo]

Moso is pretty bullet proof bamboo. If growing in pots, make sure they have lots of room to roam with their rhizomes. Meaning overpot them. I typically pot my boos up to 10-15 gallon size before I put them in the ground. That way they get established and size up fast once they are in the ground, as well as tolerate winter conditions here (typically 15 degree F. for lows). Some of my boos are in 50 gallon tubs. That size pot also holds a lot of water. If you have them in pots, make sure that they are on the ground, and not up on shelves or the like. In summer, that will keep them from cooking, and in winter it will keep the roots from freezing. If you can bank the pots up with dirt, they will stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter as well, and also keep them from tipping over in the wind. Timber bamboos in pots make great sails.

Also make sure they have a LOT of drainage holes. One way to kill bamboo for sure is to flood the roots. If they curl their leaves up lengthwise, they are too dry. If their leaves get saggy and unfold down the opposite way, they are getting too much water. I would imagine in Dallas that you would have to water them once a day. Maybe set up an auto drip system so that they always get watered. They tolerate the heat, and will fold their leaves up in full sun here on hot days (over 90 F. in full sun). Moso (and almost all Phyllostachys) will take full sun. I half shade them after re-potting or dividing for a few weeks in partial shade. Otherwise they can take the full sun and heat. I would guess that humidity would be better for them, but they do just fine here in the dry western states.

[TexasGrower]

I'll drill some holes in the pot.

[Firemandril]

Ok, so when starting from seed is regular potting soil fine, can i use Pete Pellet starters? or are they too small? Any educating of my ignorance is greatly appreciated, and this is in regards to MOSO seeds =) I live in Tulsa Ok,

[Dean W.]

A place called Dallas.

TexasGrower,

How's your Moso doing?;)

Dean

[Dean W.]

Ok, so when starting from seed is regular potting soil fine, can i use Pete Pellet starters? or are they too small? Any educating of my ignorance is greatly appreciated, and this is in regards to MOSO seeds =) I live in Tulsa Ok,

Firemandril, I have never grown bamboo from seed. But I would think they need something larger than those little peat pots.

Good luck,
Dean

[TexasGrower]

TexasGrower,

How's your Moso doing?;)

Dean



The ones in the ground grow a lot faster.

[Dean W.]

I guess they like more room for their roots.

Dean

[Firemandril]

Hey Dean, yeah i went for 3.5" pots i have a photo log started, its been 10 days since i planted and nothing visible yet, crossing my fingers, gonna be gone for 4 days this labor day weekend, watch em all go two inches would be just my luck :)

[cngodles]

I've had 3 moso's in pots for over 2 years. I grew them from seeds.

The larger pot does seem to do the best. I'm in zone 5b, so I bring them inside for the winters. I use 3 - 40 watt florescent plant light bulbs for about 12 hours a day on them. They seem to do fine over the winter. You just need to water them often.

They will get new shoots for me in the Spring, and in the Winter. I'm not sure why, probably because they are in 60's F heat all witner long with bright light.

I also have 4 Heteroclada in pots from seeds. If you put them in a smaller pot, the rhyzomes will wrap around the inside of the pot, and in the case of my plastic pots, break them. Probably would break a clay one as well.