Hi all, new to gardening and this is my first post.
Was wondering if someone could answer a few small questions I have.
My friend has just given me some bamboo from his garden and I have put it in mine as a screen. The problem is it is about 11-12 foot tall.
It has very little leaves on the first 6-7 foot and all the leaves are on the top 5 or so foot. The leaves are very green, about 6" long by 1-2 " in width.
Q- What kind is it ?
Q- Can I cut it down to 6-7 foot?
Q- if I do cut it, will leaves come back or will I be left with sticks?
All advise welcome as I have no idea what am doing.
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Bamboo is a grass; growth always comes from the root...
The other interesting thing about bamboo growth is that once a stalk is stopped in height it will never grow taller; it is used for controlled height hedging quite a bit in Japan. I suspect you are talking one of the Phyllostachys species or cultivars; I would warn you that these are very root invasive to the point of destructive, so be sure to control roots with a hard barrier (and I have seen this plant go under a driveway).
If you got lucky and your friend was nice enough to give you a piece of a clump former like Fargesia it is not a problem and you have a very good friend. But send an image and we'll find out...
HG
The other interesting thing about bamboo growth is that once a stalk is stopped in height it will never grow taller; it is used for controlled height hedging quite a bit in Japan. I suspect you are talking one of the Phyllostachys species or cultivars; I would warn you that these are very root invasive to the point of destructive, so be sure to control roots with a hard barrier (and I have seen this plant go under a driveway).
If you got lucky and your friend was nice enough to give you a piece of a clump former like Fargesia it is not a problem and you have a very good friend. But send an image and we'll find out...
HG