BAMBOo aNd root contRol
running- and non-running bamboo
Bamboo will either run or more or less stay where it was planted, depending on the species. Invasive species build a spreading root system that may damage garden elements such as ponds and terraces. In small gardens it is wise to plant Fargesia as this will not escape from the garden. All other species (except Chusquea and Drepanostachyum) are runners which need barriers to control them.
Root control is essential to keep your running bamboo confined to a certain area. The root-control barrier that we sell is made of durable polyethylene foil, one millimeter in thickness, impenetrable for bamboo-rhizomes. It is 57 centimeters deep, which is usually sufficient, or 70 centimeters for extra security and for some extra deep running bamboos, like Bashania. It is available in any required length.
First, choose the contours of the area where you want restrict the bamboo too. This should be large enough for a normal development of the plant. For a dwarf bamboo this should be at least 1 m2, for medium tall bamboos 2 to 3 m2; for tall bamboos 4 m2. For giant bamboos 10 m2 really is a minimum. The shape of your area is not important, but don't make it narrower than 1 meter. Be aware that an oblong form requires relatively more material than a round form (see table). A slightly wavy shape gives a natural effect.
DIGGING
Digging is a hard job, and it should be done the right way to avoid future problems. The material must totally encircle the plant, and both ends must be folded (using a hammer) and hooked in each other (see drawing). This connection may be fixed with extra nails or bolts. Keep 2 or 3 cm of the foil above the surface; this may later be covered with pebbles, mulch etc. Make sure not to damage the material if you use sharp tools!
|
 |
Periodic control
If the barrier reaches a few cm out of the soil, it is easy to see escaping roots - most bamboos don't run deep. It is very important that you check to see if any rhizomes have escaped over the border in autumn. If so, cut off and remove the escaped parts. Despite these precautions, one can never be entirely sure that a bamboo will not escape, and the nursery cannot be held responsible for this.
|
LENGTH OF THE ROOT BARRIER IN RELATION TO DIAMETER AND SURFACE
|
|
LENGTH OF
FOIL
|
ROUND
|
SQUARE
|
RECTANGLE 1:4
|
|
Diameter
|
Surface
|
Side
|
Surface
|
Side
|
Surface
|
|
4 m
|
1,2 m
|
1,1 m2
|
0,9 m
|
0,9 m2
|
0,4 x 1,5 m
|
0,5 m2
|
|
5 m
|
1,5 m
|
1,8 m2
|
1,2 m
|
1,4 m2
|
0,5 x 1,9 m
|
0,9 m2
|
|
6 m
|
1,8 m
|
2,6 m2
|
1,4 m
|
2,0 m2
|
0,6 x 2,3 m
|
1,3 m2
|
|
7 m
|
2,1 m
|
3,6 m2
|
1,7 m
|
2,8 m2
|
0,7 x 2,7 m
|
1,8 m2
|
|
8 m
|
2,5 m
|
4,7 m2
|
1,9 m
|
3,7 m2
|
0,8 x 3,1 m
|
2,4 m2
|
|
10 m
|
3,1 m
|
7,5 m2
|
2,4 m
|
5,9 m2
|
1,0 x 3,9 m
|
3,8 m2
|
|
12 m
|
3,7 m
|
10,9 m2
|
2,9 m
|
8,6 m2
|
1,2 x 4,7 m
|
5,5 m2
|
|
15 m
|
4,7 m
|
17,2 m2
|
3,7 m
|
13,5 m2
|
1,5 x 5,9 m
|
8,6 m2
|
|
20 m
|
6,3 m
|
30,9 m2
|
4,9 m
|
24,3 m2
|
2,0 x 7,9 m
|
15,5 m2
|
|
25 m
|
7,9 m
|
48,5 m2
|
6,2 m
|
38,1 m2
|
2,5 x 9,9 m
|
24,4 m2
|
|
30 m
|
9,5 m
|
70,2 m2
|
7,4 m
|
55,1 m2
|
3,0 x 11,9 m
|
35,3 m2
|
(Extra length for overlapping connection is included.)
When using a wavy shape, you will need 10-15 % more material.