Fertilizer

[DCBa]

Since I use Milorganite, I broadcast liberally by hand. One advantage to this type of fertiliser is it is difficult to damage/burn plants. I put 25# in a bed that is 6 x 60.

[stevelau1911]

One problem I see in some of my bamboos such as the moso or dulcis is that they have very short internodes accompanied with lush branches all the way to the ground, and sometimes branching from below ground. I think this could be a result of too much nitrogen in the fertilizer I provide it. The problem in this is that culms don't get really tall this way and eventually look more like a bush than a bamboo. Is it any good for there to be so many leaves that many of them end up shading themselves out?

I would prefer larger culms with not as much foliage just so they look good.

My proposed solution is to start using low nitrogen fertilize such as something like 8-16-8 to hopefully make the bamboos overall appearance better.

[needmore]

One problem I see in some of my bamboos such as the moso or dulcis is that they have very short internodes accompanied with lush branches all the way to the ground, and sometimes branching from below ground. I think this could be a result of too much nitrogen in the fertilizer I provide it. The problem in this is that culms don't get really tall this way and eventually look more like a bush than a bamboo. Is it any good for there to be so many leaves that many of them end up shading themselves out?

I would prefer larger culms with not as much foliage just so they look good.

My proposed solution is to start using low nitrogen fertilize such as something like 8-16-8 to hopefully make the bamboos overall appearance better.

Steve, I think that you are spending WAY too much time trying to think your bamboo larger - you have juvenile plants that need some time to be...juveniles. Patience my friend, as I advised you on the phone, be patient, they'll size up just fine in about 4 years. Feed them some, keep them watered, protect them in winter and they'll get bigger.