How to Make Bamboo Grow Thicker
Bamboo is a grass that grows fast and can reach up to 70 feet in height. Bamboo thickens by growing new shoots at the top of the plant, which eventually grows downward. The best way to encourage thicker bamboo is to provide plenty of water, fertilizer, sunlight, and space for growth. With just a little TLC, you can help your bamboo thrive and grow strong.
Bamboo that is thicker is more aesthetically pleasing and valuable in privacy fences or other landscaping features. If you want to know how to make bamboo grow thicker, there are several methods you can use. Keep reading to learn more.
12 Ways on How to Make Bamboo Grow Thicker
1. Choose the Right Spot
Bamboo likes shade, but make sure it gets some morning light. Bamboo planted too deep (the rhizomes are buried) may never sprout again. If you want to plant in full sun, choose a fast-growing variety like Yellow Groove or Golden Goddess.
2. Plant Deep
To plant bamboo, dig a deep hole so that the top of the soil is level with or just below the surrounding ground. This will help keep moisture in and pests out.
3. Don’t Touch the Rhizomes
The rhizomes are the part of the bamboo that grows new culms (canes) and spreads to nearby areas. Make sure not to damage them when planting or mowing around the bamboo.
4. Fertilize Well
Plant bamboo in well-draining soil and fertilize them heavily twice a year (spring and fall) with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.
5. Remove Dead Canes
If you want to keep the bonus of having edible shoots, remove old canes as soon as they become brown and dry after harvesting each spring/summer. This will ensure that new canes have a chance to grow and produce shoots.
6. Mulch
Mulch is like food for your bamboo. It will keep the soil at the base of the plant moist, prevent weeds from growing (and stealing water/food), and help to keep the pH level in the right range by releasing acid into the ground.
7. Cut Back on Watering
Even though bamboo needs lots of water, you can try cutting back on watering during hot, dry spells. They can go weeks without rain and do just fine. Not to mention, it will make them more resistant to pests and diseases.
8. No Overwatering
Bamboos should not be planted in boggy soils. They like their feet to stay dry, except when it rains. So when you water bamboo, do it deeply (at least 1′ of water) then don’t water it again until the top 2-3″ of soil is dry. This will ensure that your bamboo doesn’t become waterlogged and encourages deep rooting, leading to a healthier plant.
9. Plant Two Species Together
Plant bamboo with other plants to ensure a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Nasturtiums, potatoes, peas, beans, marigolds, and radishes are especially good at deterring pests from the bamboo and whatever else you might plant.
10. Bamboo In Containers
Bamboo in containers needs more water and less fertilizer than bamboo that grows in the ground. Bamboo in containers will grow slowly and be smaller than ground-based bamboo, but they can live and produce new growth for 20 years or more.
11. Amend the Soil
No matter how much fertilizer you use, it won’t make much of a difference if the soil is poorly compacted. Bamboo loves to grow, so give it plenty of space, quality soil (organic matter), and plenty of water. It also helps to add a top dressing of compost every few years.
12. Prune
If your bamboo grows too fast and gets out of hand, you can prune it back. Cut off the culms (canes) at ground level, encouraging new growth and thicker bamboo. Just be careful not to damage the rhizomes when doing so.
Some Tips and Suggestions
- Make sure to water your bamboo plants regularly, ensuring the soil is evenly moist.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch around your bamboo plants to help keep the soil moist and cool.
- Feed your bamboo plants with a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year.
- Prune your bamboo plants regularly to help them grow thicker.
- Pick a spot in your yard where the bamboo plants will be able to get plenty of bright light and avoid getting too much shade from nearby trees or buildings.
- Plant your bamboo plants in well-drained, acidic soil.
- Choose a spot protected from wind and other harsh weather conditions.
- Plant your bamboo plants at the same depth as planted in their original containers.
How Long Does It Take for Bamboo to Get Thick?
The time it takes for bamboo to grow thicker depends on several factors. First, different types of bamboo grow tall in varying lengths of time. Generally speaking, thick-walled bamboo will take the longest to reach full growth because it has much more biomass created by leaf matter than thin-walled varieties do.
Conversely, thin-walled bamboo varieties use that leaf matter for making food, which speeds up their growth time.
Another factor to consider is the species of bamboo will play a role in its thickness. For example, some bamboo varieties are better at retaining water and will grow more quickly in moist environments.
Other species grow well in dry or frozen conditions. Bamboo that is exposed to a chilly climate will put on more biomass, root mass and become thicker overall. The time it takes for bamboo to reach maturity is also determined by its age at planting.
Why Should You Make Bamboo Grow Thicker?
Bamboo is a grass that grows very fast, and it can grow up to 3 feet in just one day. It’s also used as the source of food, building materials, and other things. To get the most use of bamboo, it is important to make it grow thicker. Here are some reasons why:
1. Bamboo can be used as a building material. The thicker the bamboo, the stronger it will be and the less likely it to break.
2. Thicker bamboo is more difficult for bugs to eat.
3. Bamboo is also great for making furniture, spears, and other items that need a sturdy frame. Making the bamboo thicker while still young will ensure that they grow up strong and healthy.
4. Thicker bamboo is also a deterrent for thieves. If you grow bamboo for privacy or keep people out of your property, having thicker bamboo will be more effective.
5. Bamboo also makes excellent hunting equipment like arrows, spears, and traps. The thicker the bamboo is when it’s young, the more compelling these items will be for hunters.
Conclusion
Bamboo is a sustainable material that has many benefits for the environment. However, if you want to get more from your bamboo plants, we have given some tips on how to make bamboo grow thicker in this blog post. Start by planting at least two new bamboo clumps in different locations or doing area transplantation with existing plantings every year.
This will help increase root depth and improve the health of the entire stand while also promoting genetic diversity among individual plants, which can lead to better growth rates over time. It’s important not to mix species because they have different needs.
It may be challenging to get all species established enough before their natural predators come along looking for lunch! We hope this article has been helpful! If you have any questions feel free to comment below!
