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Tropical Plants - Australia

Oldhamii bamboo

18 years ago

I have 2 lovely specimens in my yard but am finding the bamboo is dropping huge amounts of leaves.No doubt annoying the neighbours and covering the unerstorey plants like a blanket.Do you think this is because it has been very dry and needs a good drink.

My husband has planted another 6 down the side of the house and I am dreading all the mess I'll face in a couple of years time.

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Comments (4)

laurenkeet
18 years ago
Hi Melmat,

Is the bamboo young or is it well established? We've just added some bamboo to our yard so have been investigating the best conditions for it. We bought it from Bamboo Down Under (you might want to check out there website as it has tips on bamboo care, and Rick is happy to help out http://www.bamboodownunder.com.au/info/caring.asp) and they mentioned to keep it damp but young plants will drop their leaves if they're in shock or if they're being kept too wet. Have you been watering it much or does it have a mulch over it that's keeping it wet? Maybe it's getting too much water?

I hope the link is helpful.

Cheers, Lauren

Here is a link that might be useful: Bamboo Down Under - Caring for Bamboo
mistymorn
18 years ago
Yes I would give them a good drink if you have not been watering them.
The leaves make great mulch, they look good on the ground underneath them lucky you.
Cheers...MM.
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richardqld
18 years ago
Bamboos will drop leaves if stressed from too little water,however they usually curl their leaves first.If you have not noticed this,then i would suggest the leaf drop you mentioned is the normal drop that will occur throughout the year.As Misty mentioned bamboo leaves make a great mulch and should not be removed from under your "boo" as they contain silica which the plant requires and will reabsorb ,as the leaves decay into the soil.
Bamboo does require regular water whilst establishing,however once settled (after a year or so),will be reasonably water wise.Watch out for hot windy conditions as this can dry out bamboo,due to their very thin leaves.
Cheers.
plantsplus
18 years ago
As a grass all bamboos are relatively shallow rooted. It is probably the dry BUT my oldhamii(5 years) has always dropped a lot of leaves and as a consequence of leaving them as mulch I nearly lost it. My neighbour lit a fire which got into the "mulch" and burnt so well and hot that the outer culms were killed. Fortunately it is very far away from the house. My advice - if its near the house shred it with the mower if you are using it as mulch. It is a beautiful plant and worth the effort. Goodluck

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