Is this Space too Small for Bamboo to Grow?

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bayarea41
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Is this Space too Small for Bamboo to Grow?

Post by bayarea41 »

Wanting to use Bamboo against fence for privacy. Neighbors have a 2 story house that looks down into ours. Need about 12-14 feet of plant height.

The space is around 13" wide of dirt between fence and sidewalk. (see pictures). Is that too narrow for clumping bamboo to grow?

I don't know if these images are showing up or not....didn't in preview
https://i.imgur.com/JO5UUjL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Veb2mSn.jpg

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wolfedg
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Re: Is this Space too Small for Bamboo to Grow?

Post by wolfedg »

If it were me, I wouldn't plant there. I am assuming that the fence is the property line. In my opinion neither a running or a clumping type bamboo would be a good choice. A runner would do everything in its power to expand outward in all directions, likely into the neighbors yard. Also there really isn't enough room for a barrier either as you would want access behind the barrier for rhizome maintenance. A clumper would eventually (probably pretty quickly in that area) also expand beyond those tight confines though not as aggressively. If the neighbor didn't mind having half of the clump of a clumping bamboo on their side of the fence, it might be ok'ish. A clumper might also damage or move the brick and concrete next to it depending on how confined it is and how much mass the brick and/or concrete has.
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needmore
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Re: Is this Space too Small for Bamboo to Grow?

Post by needmore »

Agree, no where near big enough space.
Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
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Avidgrower
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Re: Is this Space too Small for Bamboo to Grow?

Post by Avidgrower »

Hello, although I am fairly new to bamboo growing, I must agree that this space looks really narrow at first. I would be concerned with it running under the fence and invading the neighbours garden and your path. Saying all that, I have managed to successfully grow bamboo in a very narrow space by building a narrow container and filling it with rich compost. I will probably have to trim the roots or it might break the container in a few years time as it expands. But overall I am pleased with it and it is doing well in a dark shaded aspect. So if you are able to elevate it a bit off the ground to avoid invasion issues later down the line and give it rich media to grow it might be ok in that space. Also, possibly consider one of the more petite varieties? Hope that helps, sorry couldn’t attach a picture at this point in time,
Avidgrower
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Re: Is this Space too Small for Bamboo to Grow?

Post by Avidgrower »

Hello again, hope you can see this. It has helped to shield neighbouring house a lot and improved privacy.
https://imgur.com/gallery/p71yq2Z
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