Tutorial with instructions for each type of cut

Unusual growth affects pruning

Despite all prophecies of doom, you can very well cut your bamboo. Before you reach for scissors, you should familiarize yourself with the special growth behavior. Although the plant lignifies over time, its growth differs markedly from Trees and bushes. The following botanical aspects influence the care of bamboo pruning:

• Bamboo is an ornamental grass and no wood
• Growth with perennial, woody stalks
• Evergreen and largely hardy
• Each stalk only grows in height for one growing season

It is primarily the latter point that you should take to heart when cutting bamboo. Trees and bushes grow according to the law of Top funding a little longer at the tips each year. A bamboo stalk sprouts in spring and has reached its final height by autumn. In the following years, growth is limited to the budding of leafy side shoots, depending on the species and variety. In this way, strong-growing bamboo species achieve majestic ones within eight to ten years Heights of six to eight meters - but this growth always takes place within a single one Season.

Best time

Bamboo is naturally good cut compatible. You can cut off isolated, disturbing stalks throughout the season without hesitation. If, on the other hand, you have prescribed a comprehensive cut for the opulent ornamental grass, that moves forward spring in focus. In view of the winter hardiness of fresh stalks, the main frost period should end when you cut bamboo. Just before plants begin to grow in your area is the best time to take care of the pruning.

Please do not be tempted to cut your bamboo with scissors or in late autumn saw to get to grips with. According to the Laws of growth, each cut causes a more or less strong shoot. So shortly before winter, herbaceous stalks have nothing to oppose severe frost and freeze back. The resulting rot affects all of the bamboo.

Cut flat tube bamboo

Flat-tube bamboo (Phyllostachys) inspires with green, yellow, reddish-brown or black stalks that add color to the garden. It is the three to four year old stems, the color of which shines in all its splendor. Older stalks pay tribute to impermanence by fading their colors and weathering the leaves. After eight to ten years, a bamboo stalk has passed its zenith and gradually dies. At the same time, young stalks sprout every season so that a continuous regeneration process takes place. With a well-planned pattern care you have a supportive effect on the development. How to do it right:

• Partly thinning out flat tube bamboo every year
• Cut away dead stems at the base
• Cut off a third or a quarter of the old, fading stalks at floor level

You can master a solidly lignified bamboo stalk with a sturdy two-handedLoppers, which ideally has a power-amplifying ratchet gear. Alternatively, use a handy one Folding saw(€ 17.68 at Amazon *) with Japanese perforation. Regular lighting ensures that your bamboo flourishes flooded with light, so that young stalks color better and produce numerous leafy side shoots.

Thinning out your bamboo every spring. Cut dead stalks off at ground level. At least a third of the old, faded stems must also give way to make room for a fresh, colorful shoot.

Digression

Root barrier curbs spread

Cut umbrella bamboo

Umbrella bamboo (Fargesia) gives rise to a cut with its dense clumps. If winter has plenty of snow in the luggage, the clumps tend to fall apart in spring. Snow pressure has weakened the bamboo so much that a heavy downpour is enough for several stalks to lean and stick out of the shape unattractively. The troublemakers can then no longer be incorporated. The reason for this is the comparatively small stalk diameter, which no longer supports the high leaf volume. How to fix the problem as part of the pruning care:

• Cut back stalks damaged by snow pressure by a third or half
• Thinning out dead, overaged stems level with the ground

As a result of the reduced weight, shortened stalks straighten up again by themselves. Although the stalks can no longer make up for the lost height, with their numerous leafy side shoots they at least contribute to a dense, gapless bamboo clump.

Cutting bamboo hedge

When cutting a bamboo hedge, you should always consider the special growth. In contrast to one hedge from shrubs, bamboo stalks do not grow back up again after a cut. Therefore, do not cut the stems shorter than you would like the height of the hedge to be. With a clever step cut you optimize the privacy factor. How to complete the correct cut of a bamboo hedge:

• Thin out all dead stalks beforehand
• Cut the stalks in the middle of the hedge to the desired height
• Trim stalks a little shorter on the front and back

Over the years, you primarily subject the new stalks to a shape cut so that they integrate harmoniously into the hedge profile. If umbrella bamboo forms a hedge, damage can occur as a result of snow pressure, as with solitary clumps. Shorten the affected stalks with a branch or Hedge trimmer so that they no longer protrude from the shape of the hedge.

background

Juice accumulation promotes dense side foliage

Occasionally rejuvenate dwarf bamboo

In the creative design of Asian gardens, dwarf bamboo (Pleiobastus pymaeus) is very popular as an evergreen ground cover. As long as its invasive character is kept in check with the help of root barriers, the small type of bamboo proves to be easy to care for.

Dwarf bamboo is no more immune to the natural aging process than its big brothers. When the stalks die off and the leaves fade, kick start your growth with one Clearance cut. You can either cut out overaged areas or carry out a complete cut back close to the ground. Thanks to its vital vigor, you can rely on a strong, fresh shoot.

Topiary on bamboo - is that possible?

Good-natured pruning tolerance and impressive vigor qualify numerous types and varieties of bamboo for topiary cutting. Creative home gardeners are happy to give their umbrella bamboo a spherical shape. A wavy hedge topiary can be achieved excellently with a variety of Fargesia varieties. For this purpose, you should let the scissors circle several times per season. First, give your bamboo a year or two to establish itself on the site.

You do the first cut in spring before the new leaves sprout. Only when your bamboo is completely leafed do the second cut. After another four to six weeks, you will complete this year's topiary. In the following year it is sufficient to dedicate yourself to the new shoot to bring it into the desired silhouette.

frequently asked Questions

Should bamboo be planted with a root barrier?

Not every bamboo sends out its roots to conquer the garden. Different species and varieties thrive as clumps and forego invasive growth with runners. The peaceful bamboo species include, in particular, all Fargesia varieties. If you are planning to plant Phyllostachys bamboo, the use of a rhizome barrier is highly recommended.

Is bamboo hardy?

Bamboo varieties suitable for the garden and balcony are mostly hardy. Well-rooted specimens in the bed tolerate temperatures down to - 26 degrees Celsius very well. Only shading against solar radiation is advisable to prevent drought stress. An exception applies to bamboo in a bucket. The exposed position of the root ball makes it vulnerable to frosty temperatures. Ideally, you should clear the plants in good time. Alternatively, you can wrap buckets with fleece or bubble wrap and slide a block of wood underneath.

Do I have to cut an umbrella bamboo after planting it and tie it together for the winter?

Neither nor. Bamboo is an ornamental grass and not a wood. A pruning to promote branching is not required. In order for umbrella bamboo to survive the cold season safely, we recommend a shading net in the first and second year to protect against drought stress in the blazing winter sun.

I would like to plant small ornamental grasses under my bamboo hedge. Which varieties are suitable?

Highly recommended as underplanting are the Japanesesedge (Carex morrowii), especially the variety 'Aureovariegata' and the white-rimmed sedge (Carex foliosissima) 'Icedance'. The carpets are also decorative at the feet of a bamboo hedge.Cotoneaster 'Radicans', ground cover cherry laurel (Lonicera pileata) or the low wreath spar (Stephanandra incisa) 'Crispa'.

Can I cut off the top of bamboo if it grows too tall?

That is possible without any problems. The best time is in spring, shortly before the start of budding. However, you should be aware of the final height, because once the stalks are shortened, they will no longer grow in height.

Our two umbrella bamboo are light green after a severe winter, shed leaves and roll up the remaining leaves. Have the plants frozen to death? What can we do?

Shedding and curling of leaves after winter is nothing to worry about. Severe frost causes drought stress on bamboo. The evergreen leaves continue to evaporate water without the roots being able to provide replenishment in the frozen ground. As a result, umbrella bamboo reduces the evaporation area by rolling up its leaves. Heavy frosts cause the plant to shed some leaves. Just in time for the beginning of spring, fresh stalks sprout from the root ball and the leaves roll up again.

The 3 most common mistakes

Anyone who likes to lump bamboo with conventional ones Grasses, is subject to one of the most common mistakes when cutting. Other frequent mishaps are based on an unsuitable choice of date and the complete avoidance of a cut. The following table summarizes the three most common cutting errors together with information about the damage and a skillful prevention:

Tips

Sacred bamboo or sky bamboo has no botanical or horticultural connection with real bamboo. In fact, it is an evergreen, unreinforced flowering shrub from the barberry family. Nandina domestica reaches heights of 150 to 200 cm, flowers in early summer and is decorated with red berries in autumn. The name refers to its frequent use in Japanese temple gardens.