Hi Everybody,

I guess the subject line sums it up; what do people use to fertilize their bamboo and how often for a timber bamboo that is just starting out (8’ tall) and a stand that is mature (50’ tall)?

I hear Osmocote Plus should work fine.  I’ve applied it twice yearly and I guess it’s okay for B. vulgaris but it’s not doing a thing for my Oldhami.  One new culm on the Oldhami is emerging but it’s no bigger than the rest.  It’s strong but it’s not a bigger diameter.  I just had someone from Florida (passing through the conservatory) tell me that a fellow that runs a nursery down there told them to just put lawn fertilizer on their bamboo every two months and they’ve had terrific luck with their Oldhami.  Yes, I pointed out that there are many different lawn fertilizers but it did get me to wondering if I should change fertilizing tactics.

Irrigation for my B. vulgaris is 3-5” per week.  It’s over 50’ tall.  Any insights?  Please, David, don’t tell me to foliar feed.  I can’t reach all of it anyway.

Best Regards,

Lucinda