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Bamboo Spacing

amy_hamiltonamy_hamilton Posts: 32
in Plants
I've just bought two large wooden trough planters (h60cm x d50cm x w150cm). I'm hoping to use these planters to create a privacy screen with black bamboo. 

I have found the plants I will buy (18litre pots/2m tall). I am just hoping for some advice on how many to put in each planter to ensure they continue to thrive whilst creating as dense a screen as possible (one in the middle, or two equally spaced)

Any advice gratefully received. 

Many thanks
Amy

Posts

  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,138
    My guess would be that you'll only need one, as Phyllostachys nigra is a strong grower. In a container this size (which is small from the bamboo's standpoint) you will need to put a lot of effort into watering sufficiently. If you were to plant two, it would certainly fill up quicker but it's also liable to be very expensive. With a wooden planter, you may also find that the new culms, which are quite pointed and very strong, will burst through after a few years. I had one in the ground which we tried to keep contained with 2cm thick rubber weedproof membrane, which it pierced within three years. Others may be able to report on their experiences with containers.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,545
    I would plant one per container, but chop/saw each in half and position the divisions side by side, equally spaced. 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,545
    edited March 2021
    I have got P. aurea in three 45x45x45cm concrete containers, which came from a single large specimen from Homebase 4 or 5 years ago. They're in a shady spot where I notice whether they need watering. If I ever need to get them out of the containers I will have to smash them out though, the roots are packed tight. I periodically remove older stems and they throw out new ones each year. They haven't really got dramatically bigger but I don't need them any taller than 7 or 8ft so that's fine.
  • amy_hamiltonamy_hamilton Posts: 32
    That's great, thank you both.

    Loxley, do you have any advice for sawing the plants in half? Im guessing they are fairly robust from that perspective and will recover ok? 
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,138
    They will be fine, just use an ordinary wood saw. They are very tough.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,545
    IIRC I used a spade but it was hard going!
  • captainporkfaceXeF7OJRHcaptainporkfaceXeF7OJRH Posts: 2
    edited June 2021
    Loxley said:
    I have got P. aurea in three 45x45x45cm concrete containers, which came from a single large specimen from Homebase 4 or 5 years ago. They're in a shady spot where I notice whether they need watering. If I ever need to get them out of the containers I will have to smash them out though, the roots are packed tight. I periodically remove older stems and they throw out new ones each year. They haven't really got dramatically bigger but I don't need them any taller than 7 or 8ft so that's fine.
    Forgive the thread hijack but I’m wondering if the spacing of mine I’m about to plant is too tight? Pic below,  they’re 9ltr pots and the trough is 1.8m.

    @Loxley - would welcome your thoughts
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,545
    That's fine IMO. Three would possibly have been enough since they will spread in time, but no harm in four for instant impact. 
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