I recently purchased some multiplex golden goddess for our 2nd story balcony that gets blasted by full sun and wind all day. Should they survive a spot like this in my central Texas climate where 100F is common in the summer? I'm a little concerned - they already look they have some sun stress and I feel like I'll need to water every day in the summer since they're in pots which will be time consuming since there's no water source on the deck. Torn with what to do

till now how often did you water them ? at the moement could they be soffering because too much water in the pot and too much sun ?

a +

ph

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I've been watering them about twice a week. I stick my finger in the soil to make sure it's not moist before I water again. I also try to pay close attention to leaf curl to be sure I don't wait too long. I think I've only waited too long two times so far - went out to very curled leaves and quickly gave them a drink. I feel like I've got the timing down now.

If they have good drainage...full sun is ok heat no problem watering will be your main adversary. Your timeing will change as summer progesses. And they will quickly out grow the pots.
MarCat

Thanks for the response MarCat! When I bought those pots I thought I'd likely need to divide and re-pot every couple years or so since they would outgrow them. I just ordered a big 6gallon water container to assist in the frequent waterings out there.



You think watering once a day will likely be necessary in the peak of summer? The pots are clay which is a bummer - I usually prefer plastic for hot areas to retain water but they probably would've blown over being so light.

I'll leave them out there and hope for the best.

Greetings, I've deck grown bamboos here for several years, it does not get as hot here and is more humid I suspect and I have to water everyday, rain days the only exception. I put the pots in deep plant trays and water to the tray - I try to always see water in there. Miss one day and they'll scream at you plus they get light and easily blown over. If you tend to up-pot a bit early the soil is easier to keep moist, in 'cooler' climates this can kill a bamboo if it remains too wet in a pot but I suspect a TX summer will render that impossible.

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Brad Salmon, zone 5b/6 Southern Indiana
Winters -20 to -25C. Summers 30 to 35C , humid. 115 cm annual precipitation, frost free from May through early October. 259.3 meters elevation. Growing 150+ species. http://www.needmorebamboo.com/

Hola Senor Matt...fellow Austinite.

I've got a 5 year old B. multiplex 'silverstripe' in a big pot- maybe 30" across x 30" deep. It's been in that pot for one year (up sized last spring). It's probably already filled the container with roots and needs almost daily watering. Even with our cool spring temps, I get leaf curl on a really hot day. I stick my finger down in the soil and sure enough, dry.

The biggest problem with most large pots- is that the top part can be dry, but constant watering will leave the bottom layers of soil wet- sometimes muck. You stick your fingers into the top 4-5", but 2' down, it's still wet.The smaller particles work their way down and congregate at the bottom. Combat this by adding decomposed granite to your soil mix. There are special soil mixes for large pots- I think they have pecan shells and granite sand. Don't use the H. Depot/Scotts "water control" mixes- they hold too much moisture at the bottom. There are wanded moisture meters with long probes..but their not always really reliable. Make sure and mulch the top as well. Get some Medina Hasta-Gro from H.Depot. It's a great liquid fertilizer, local and organic. It comes in a squeeze measure bottle and you can add it right to that new container you bought. Remember, don't store that watering container on the deck- you don't want to be drenching those plants with 100 degree water...

Have fun.

Thanks for the tips Samajax!

I have grown bamboo in pots.

I think the key is to grow in a good soil. I found that a peat based potting mix is no good - it tends to dry out too quickly.
A loam based soil is much better. It hold nutrients better and water better too.

I would also mulch with a thick layer of bark.

Soil is the key here. You need a heavy mix to hold water.

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Steve Carter
Carter Bamboo
http://www.carterbamboo.com

cell (979)665-1897
Brazoria, Texas