Bamboo Logic Blog, 1 October 02008
When to Plant Bamboo in Austin/Central Texas

With the arrival of cooler days in Austin and Central Texas, our thoughts are returning to rejuvenating our landscapes, and we've received several inquires about the best time to plant bamboo.  The two words issues people most frequently inquire about are "privacy screening" and "shade production".  Bamboo Logic recommends that you install your Pachymorph (clumping, non-invasive) bamboo from October through April, when it is easiest and least expensive to get them well established before shooting season begins in late spring and early summer.   The sooner you put the bamboo in the ground, the longer it has to get well established and the more time for the rhizomes to grow and store energy for shooting season. 

It's important to remember that the size and disposition of the bamboo above the ground (culm diameter, height, and structural density) are proportional to the size of the rhizome mass below the soil surface.  Our general guideslines are to plant early and to install the largest size plant your budget allows.  A  5-gallon pot is certainly more affordable but will take more time (a couple of extra seasons) for the bamboo to reach maturity (maximum diameter and height) for that species.  15- and 30-gallon pots cost more and the bigger "bang" you get for your "buck" is that your landscape will look lush immediately and the plant will reach maturity much sooner--providing you with screening, shade, and that lush esthetic.  

My advice to clients is to weight the relative values of rate versus cost.  If you're in a hurry and seek more immediate gratification (your daughter is getting married in your backyard in two months), you'll need to pay more to achieve your goal sooner.  If you're on a budget (a first-time homeowner making a long-term investment in property enhancements), buy a smaller a plant and be prepared to wait a couple of season to see the effects.  Or: purchase the largest bamboo your budget allows.  It usually comes down to time-to-maturity versus budget.

In the next Bamboo Logic Blogs, we'll be discussing "Why Bamboo Is So Expensive" and "The Right Bamboo For Your Landscape."  Till then we are,

Bamboo Logic
(Beautification is Education)
Jinji Willingham
www.bamboo-logic.com
bamboologic@mac.com