How Fast Does Bambusa Oldhamii Grow?

The Science

• Giant timber bamboo grows fastest at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and between 55 and 75 degrees in the evening, according to a study presented at the XXVII International Horticultural Congress and published by the International Society for Horticultural Science. The stems, or “culms” were fully grown at 16 to 18 weeks while the branches developed 10 weeks after that and required another 20 weeks to reach full growth. The first leaf appeared five days after the branches began development. Leaves grew faster when temperatures remained around 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and 86 degrees at night.

Irrigation

• Timber bamboo is merely an overgrown grass and requires the same amount of irrigation as your lawn – 1 inch a week. You can supply this with a drip system left on for 15 minutes every day, according to the bamboo growers at Bamboo Valley. Keep an eye on the soil’s moisture content during hot weather and periods of high wind, when it will dry out faster than it normally does.

Fertilizer

• Although some growers claim that mulching the bamboo several times a year with compost is enough to take care of its nutritional needs, others swear by using a commercial fertilizer. If you choose to go the compost route, spread a ½-inch thick layer of compost on the soil around the bamboo in spring and again in mid-summer. Select a 15-9-12 analysis commercial fertilizer if you choose to use one and follow the application rates on the label. A rule of thumb is to use 1.5 pounds per 100 square feet if you have heavy soil and 2.5 pounds per 100 square feet for lighter soil. Two cups of granular fertilizer generally weighs 1 pound. Water the area first and then sprinkle the fertilizer in a circle around the bamboo, about 6 inches from the trunk and water after fertilizing. Fertilize in early spring and again in mid-summer.

Mulch

• A good way to get your bamboo off and running quickly is to spread a layer of mulch over the soil surrounding the plant. Mulch discourages weed growth but it also insulates the soil, preserving valuable moisture. The ideal mulch comes from the bamboo – all those leaves it drops. Don’t rake them up, but allow them to remain on the soil. Grass clippings work well, too, so after you mow the lawn dump the clippings on the soil and use a rake to spread them around the timber bamboo.

Considerations

• The giant timber bamboo is one of the most widely grown bamboos in the United States. Part of its popularity stems from the fact that it is a clumping bamboo, meaning that it won’t spread uncontrollably like the unruly running bamboos. It is also hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit so more gardeners across the country can grow it safely. Timber bamboo grows straight, so it’s commonly planted for use as a screen, and it is also one of the bamboos that have edible shoots.