How do you 'teach' Bamboo to grow a certain way? Mine right now is growing in tight ringlets. (Bought it that way) is this how it normally grows or did they 'train' it? :confused:

What kind of bamboo? There are many varieties.

I really have no idea, It's in a tall smallish planter w/rocks. (can't see bottom) then I have some other bamboo that is in water and are more like 'stalks'

Bamboo is compleatly new to me :p

Oh, the so-called "Lucky Bamboo"? From what I understand, they train it to grow like that using light. It grows toward the light, then they move the plant or the light to make it change direction.

Other than that I don't know much about it, other than it's not technically a type of bamboo. But I bet you can do a Google search on "lucky bamboo" and find care directions. :)

Thank you Borealis!

:hi:

i have no idea BUT bamboo plants are awesome ...

I have a giant bamboo forest in my back yard, and would like to contain it. suggestions? its the normal bamboo, just straight and tall.

i've cut down most of it, but the sprouts are everywhere. i can only eat so much of it.

I have a similar problem, Kenickie. I have a large bamboo 'bush' that the former owners of my house planted, and it's really out of control. I have no idea what to do with it. :wall:

there are basically two types of bamboo - clumping and running. The clumping varieties will tend to get full and bushy (crowded even) in a contained clump. The running varieties will take over anything and everything in their path.

I was told by a "bamboo farmer" in Austin TX that to contain bamboo you need to regularly crush or toerhwise destroy the new shoots that come up where you don't want them and that besides having a deep barrier in the ground (and tall enough that the runners can't go ver it) that is the only way to keep it from taking over. I have no practical experience in the matter because my neighbors don't want it in thier yard and I cannot afford to get a barrier put in and am bad a maintaining yard things so I did not plant any. :(