Spacing Bambusa oldhamii

[Dean W.]

Hello all,

I currently have Bambusa oldhamii on my on order wish list. The problem is where I want to put it is about 2’ from my neighbors fence to block an unsightly view. Is it possible to keep this 2’ swath in control with a lawn mower, or pruning shears? Or will the bamboo spread under ground greater than 2’? … should I find a better place for it all together?

In Central Texas,
Dean

[ddhort]

Hello Dean,

Although the oldhamii is a clumping bamboo the clump will expand horizontally over the years. Given good conditions such as you probably have in central Texas the clump could expand up to six inches or more per year.

With regard to the neighbor I would suggest acquiring a HDPV(high density poly vinyl) barrier which should greatly diminish any opportunity for the bamboo to creep over to the neighbor.

I believe that this very website lists vendors that carry these barriers or you may be able to locate a source locally(usually irrigation specialists).

The American Bamboo Society for sure lists vendors for this type of barrier.

Best of luck,

David

[Dean W.]

Hi David,

I’ll consider buying the HDPV barrier, though I didn’t want to foot the bill. Given the climate I thought it might spread a little slower than say conditions in LA. Thanks for giving me an approximation of the growth rate it helps gage its expansion.

I enjoyed reading your post and looking at your pictures, seems as though you have had quite a bit of experience w/ the B. olhamii.

All the best,
Dean

[Mark Meckes]

Thanks for writing David. Yes, you've had some interesting experiences with this beast!
To say it is a robust bamboo is possibly an understatement, though despite having a vigorous root system, the top growth here in Central Texas is temperamental, as the culm tops (especially new shoots) can be nipped at freezing winter temperatures in the low 20'sF.
One problem, being a summer shooter, is that if we have a dry summer, shoots that don't emerge till August and later, and don't produce sufficient leaves before frost will get nipped in the buds in the top portion of the culms, though some lower buds may survive the winter and leaf out the following year.
When tops of culms are killed back, the culms, or their bottom half remain green and in the spring below ground shoots may form from buds on the culm base.
These begin growing in an upright fashion looking like a regular but smaller shoot, but as they form branches they begin to grow outwards rather than upwards and it soon becomes evident that they bear the characteristic of side branches.
The planting can soon become very wide, requiring pruning back the branches if space doesn't permit.
Later in summer the true shoots will emerge.

... Pics and more discussion to follow later. ... back to grooming garden and grove

Mark

[Dean W.]

Hi Mark,

Look forward to hearing the rest of your reply and pictures. I saw your B. oldhamii and it looked as though it had the run of the place. Just kidding, it had at least a good 3'-4' from the fence.

Not only am I wishing to block a view of our neighbor’s gazebo but also the west sun. In edition I have shrubs (Variegated Pittosporum and Crepe Myrtles) that our planted at 2' intervals and I feel it may make the yard more atheistically pleasing too match w/ my previous plantings. If I had my way I would dig out the shrubs, but the wife likes them as they are.

Have fun in the Garden/Grove,
Dean

[Dean W.]

Hi,

I’ve received two one-gallon size containers of Bambusa oldhamii . I placed one where it has plenty of room to grow, at least 6’ on each side. The other I placed 2 ½ ‘ from fence for now. The one I placed by the fence still concerns me , but time will tell, as these babies are still small.

Dean

[ddhort]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the further info Mark, as I don't have a handle on your weather. I did spend a few months in Granbury (outside Ft.Worth) and my experience was that it can get nasty cold and hot for sure.

Believe it or not we did have freezing temps this past winter on several occasions. You have now explained why we lost some of the tips and what is in store for the future. Appreciate that.

My intro to bamboo came rather suddenly when I became Manager of Landscape for a commercial developer who is very fond of bamboo.

That was only about a year ago...I had to jump in with both feet. Fortunately, bamboo (my experience) is a relatively well-behaved plant and predictable in its behavior under our environmental conditions. The bamboo has made us unique in the office complex type of setting.

Later,

David

[Dean W.]

Here are some pictures I took with my camcorder. The first is close to the fence the fourth is already getting a new shoot.

I haven't figured out how to post to my gallery yet!

Dean

[Dean W.]

Bambusa oldhamii w/ recent shoots now exceed 6 foot. Not bad for a one gallon pot bought earlier this year. It must be the soil it’s planted in, former garden area.

Dean

[ShmuBamboo]

For a pachymorph, oldhamii can get to be pretty impressive, and it also can spread out. Not like a runner, but it will expand. I got some rhizome shoots this summer form my friends' Bam. oldhamii stand (thanks to Mark for the ID from photos that I posted of it here). They had a stand that was originally planted in a concrete 'pen' circle about 6 ft wide. The bamboo has spilled over the concrete and moved over into the soil past the wall. The clump was about 7-8 ft wide at the base. That said, I think that you can chip away at the perimiter and keep the giant timber bamboo under control. It is a fast grower, as you have noted.

Enjoy...

[Dean W.]

It’ funny because the one by the fence has remained about the same height and the other has shot up towards the sky. I guess it’s a case of watering and fertility.

Dean

[Agrobambu]

Dean and Mark
I have the same experience here with my oldhamii. I had 4 clumps 3 m distant from my neighbour fence. In just 4 years I have only 2 m distance.
Our climate here its very similar to your region in Texas (We don't have snow but the temp. goes from -5°C to 10°C on the winter). This plant has good resistance to this variation in the winter and the same in the summer (goes to 42°C). Grows very fast - They are in the same place as my D. giganteus and they are bigger than them.
Probably you're going to have the following troubles with your neighbour.
1- In 6 years - The fence goes down
2 -In 2 years - The leaves goes to your neighbour swiming pool.
3 -In 6 years - The culm sheath goes to the other side too.
4 -In 8 years - The shadow will close your neighbour view of the sun.
I'm kidding! Sorry but this was my experience.
Bye ,
Ene
Agrobambu - CF&T
Pic below of this situation:

[Dean W.]

Hi Ene,

You’re probally right; I’ve been considering digging the one by the fence up, while it is small to avoid any future problems. I can always pot it up for a future home.

Dean