Your
bamboo should still have a moist root ball and the leaves should be
green
( during
the Spring leaf exchange will
occur so some
brown leaves will be present the weeks prior to new leaves forming
). Handle
your
bamboo by the root ball only. Remove all packing material (tape,
plastic, brace pole,
and
paper) from around the plant, being careful not to damage the root ball
or any new
shoots.
If new shoots, limbs or foliage is broken the bamboo will replace
these. Please plant or pot the bamboo as soon as possible. Do not
let
the
plant dry out before planting. Do not divide your new bamboo
divisions, this will void your 30 day warranty and will not
accelerate the bamboo growth. It will
actually set your growth rate back. You may place the root ball
in
a few inches of water (do not cover the entire root ball) for a few
hours
before planting. If you cannot plant the bamboo within a day or
two,
just
open the wrapping on the top of each root ball. Add 1 cup of
water
every two days until you can plant them. Provide plenty of light, but
keep
out of the direct sun so the root ball will not dry out completely
until
planted.
Make
a doughnut depression to help keep the water around the plant. Always
mulch to
help retain the moisture between watering. Also this will help protect
the
rhizomes in colder regions. We prefer leaves or grass clippings as most
bark mulch attracts termites and voles ( mice like rodents that can
damage new canes). Once again, mulch, mulch, you have to mulch to
hold the water in
and prevent evaporation. Here in warm climate zone 7, we mulch 6
to 8 inches. In colder zones mulch more than 8 inches for the up
coming winter.
Watering
This is the most important part. Watering will
help establish your planting and produce better results. Over
the next couple of weeks, daily watering is recommended. If
your
plant does begin to loose leaves, it may be just adjusting to its new
home
and sunlight conditions. Even under most all conditions, the bamboo
will retain 70% of its leaves. After a period of time, it should put on
new leaves
to replace the ones it dropped during the transition. If any stress
like defoliation is noticed increase watering times. Water is the key
for health bamboo. During the hot
summertime even established bamboo will roll their leaves to prevent
transpiration.
This is a neat characteristic of bamboo so, do not be alarmed to see
your
bamboo roll up its leaves. If you water it during very hot times that
is
great and will assist the bamboo during its growth. Once established,
bamboo
needs little care and normal rainfall is generally all that is
needed. Watering daily if you have well drained soil is great!
The only time you should not water, is when the bamboo is sitting in
standing water.
Remember
the bamboo canes on
your
existing division are through growing. Most all the growth now will be
underground . Each Spring new canes will
emerge taller and larger in diameter each year until mature size for
your species and climate zone are reached.