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Bamboo is an exotic, remarkable plant with growing popularity in the US. Like any plant, it requires certain conditions to flourish. This is why getting the right type of compost is so important.
But is ericaceous compost a good choice for bamboo?
Yes. Ericaceous compost is good for bamboo. Although bamboo can be grown in most soils, it prefers a pH of around 6. Ericaceous compost is acidic, so it is the preferred pH level of most bamboo species. It’s important to choose a loamy compost to prevent waterlogging.
As a gardener, there is a lot to learn and research to maximize the health of your plants, honing your “green thumb.”
Read more to understand the relationship and importance between soil acidity and growing plants, specifically bamboo.
What Is the Best Compost for Bamboo?
Compost is made of rotted organic material. While not always necessary, adding compost to the potting soil before planting bamboo doesn’t only improve nutrients but also increases drainage. When evaluating the types of compost, it is natural to question, what is the best compost for bamboo?
For bamboo, the best compost is loam-based. Loam is simply a healthy mix of sand, clay, and silt. This ensures that the soil will have adequate drainage. Bamboo doesn’t like to be water-logged. Loam mixes also make it easier for the root system to expand as the bamboo grows.
The next thing to consider is the soil’s pH level. Ericaceous compost is known for being highly acidic. It will have a pH level of between four and five
. If you want, you can use a soil test to determine exactly how acidic the soil will be.
Bamboo prefers slightly acidic ground. It will need a pH level of six. This will determine how well it will absorb nutrients from the soil. If it’s too alkaline or too acidic, the plant won’t be able to get the food it needs to thrive. You can use ericaceous compost to lower the pH of alkaline soil.
Compost can add nutrients to the soil. Though you might want to supplement this through the use of fertilizer. You will find a wide range of fertilizers to choose from. To find the right one, you will need to look at the NPK level.
This measures the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium within the soil. These are the key nutrients that will affect plant growth. Here are some tips you can use to find the right fertilizer:
- Choose a mix that is high in nitrogen
- It’s best to choose a slow-release fertilizer
- Apply at the start of the growing season.
Adding a layer of compost to your soil mix can help add missing nutrients to depleted soils and improve the overall quality of your soil. But it is not the only thing your plant’s health depends on.
Now that you understand what compost is best for growing your bamboo let’s look at other elements you need to consider.
How To Grow Bamboo
Bamboo doesn’t tend to be too fussy. Because of this, you shouldn’t have too many problems cultivating it in your backyard. Here are some of the steps you need to follow when planting the bamboo in the soil:
- Dig a 40cm deep planting hole that is twice the root ball’s width
- If you have established plants, avoid teasing out the roots. This can damage the plant.
- Fill the soil around the root ball with a mix of soil and Ericaceous compost.
- Water thoroughly
- Mulch the soil surface with more compost to hold in moisture
You must follow a slightly different procedure if you plan on growing bamboo in a pot. Mix compost with potting soil before planting your baby bamboo, and also add 2-3 inches of compost on top of the mixture.
Don’t forget to water the newly planted bamboo so the compost and soil can settle in the pot. Compost is only the top layer of your bamboo container.
Plants in containers can dry out more quickly, so they should be given regular and generous watering throughout the growing season. Here is a video that guides you through the process of planting the bamboo in a container:
The good news is that you will be able to plant the bamboo throughout the year. However, avoid planting it during the winter months, when the ground will be frozen and cold. They tend to do best when planted during the spring.
There are a few other things to consider when planting out your bamboo. First, it’s important to find the right garden placement. Ideally, you will be able to plant the bamboo in a sunny spot. They should have some shelter from the rain.
You will need to monitor the amount of water the plants are getting, especially while they are being established. Bamboo usually doesn’t do too well in drought conditions.
After planting them out, you will need to give your bamboo plants a soaking every few days. More mature plants will need to be watered every few days. To see if they need to be watered, stick your finger into the ground. If it’s dry, it needs more water.
However, you need to avoid waterlogging the bamboo. If the water has been sitting on the soil for more than five days, there is a chance that the bamboo will die.
Some species can be invasive. If you aren’t careful, they will take over your garden. Thankfully, there are a few things that you can do to control the spread; these include:
- Water selectively. Only apply water to the base of the clump, leaving the area around the plant dry.
- Use a concrete ring. Sometimes, it can help to have a concrete ring around the base of the plant. The roots won’t be able to get through the ring, keeping them confined. Since the bamboo doesn’t have deep roots, there is no need for a large ring.
What Is The Best Potting Soil For Bamboo?
Soil is different from compost as it contains rock particles and minerals. Bamboo can cope with most soil types but prefer moist, fertile, and free-draining conditions. They dislike continuously waterlogged or extremely dry soil.
While researching the best soils or compost may feel confusing and complex, it is not. Regarding soil, bamboo is generally not too picky, though some may be better than others.
Bamboo flourishes in slightly acidic, loamy, well-drained soil, like many common garden and house plants. As we mentioned earlier, this soil type will combine clay, slit, and sand to retain moisture while preventing waterlogging.
While there isn’t an exact ratio that explains how much sand, clay, and silt will be considered loamy. But roughly equal quantities are generally accepted. The most important element is the soil allows for airflow, has nutrients, and doesn’t waterlog.
Water logging occurs when there is excess water in the plant’s root zone, decreasing the oxygen supply to the roots.
Conclusion
Being a gardener comes with its own unique set of challenges and benefits. Bamboo is one of those plants that will help you navigate both of these because of its exotic nature. But most types of bamboo aren’t too fussy.
Finding the right combination of nutrients in mildly acidic soil and compost, coupled with tender loving care (TLC) between watering, sunshine, and attention, you are ready to grow a beautiful forest of potted house bamboo.
Sources
- https://www.daviddomoney.com/a-guide-to-growing-bamboo-in-the-garden/
- https://horticulture.co.uk/loam-based-compost/
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/grasses/bamboo/growing-guide
- https://www.gardeningchannel.com/compost-vs-soil-differences/
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/potting-soil-bamboo-74557.html
- https://helpmecompost.com/compost/basics/ericaceous-compost/
- https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-land-water/soils/managing-soils/waterlogging
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-loam-soil.htm