Soak it in a larger pot of water periodically and use organic fertilizer.

Congratulations, Mountain Man

Sorry, my fellow bamuseros, I repeat myself. I had bought a 7 (?) hp shredder last Spring and heavily thinned out everything but the tallest culms, then wore the blades out on that Chinese firecracker and gave away 5 yards of bamboo; we ran it through our arborist' neighbor's $40,000 shredder for hi...

Well, anyways, I just read that and it sounds like an endorsement. Last year I piled on 8 inches of shredded tree trimmings (holly and cottonwood) and two inches of bamboo shavings everywhere, bought a Yorkshire terrier puppy and let her to her own devices and dig around, she smells a mole ya thank?...

Growing bamboo is a pastime, a concept, a nod toward aesthetic-environmentalism, with great appeal for the scientist and the artist alike... top o' the mornin' to everyone. :) Catch Howard Garrett (Dallas-Fort Worth) radio broadcast online (9am-noon Sunday's). Individual callers frequently report th...

Hello, this 'June Barbara' I've never heard of. Is she perdy?? Does she ever get indignant (when you call her by her Latin name) ? I'm back on the market, and was wondering if she was single or a real live swinger? (And hopefully willing to make a trip to Texas).

Thankye,
Mackel

By the time the grove is mature, you'll have thinned it out many a time.

in addition, growth rate will partially depend on the soil pH and water quality. Ideally, your soil would be acidic when you're already on the climactic edge.

Don't rely on just one species when you are in a marginal climate. Try 3. Best wishes.

For a number of reasons, I find dependable's recipe best. Real, finished compost plus dirt. It seems so simple, but there you go.

Sounds pretty dry, and your plan seems to have merit.

It depends on where you live when you say "dry".

I'd go with a different genus-- phyllostachys would hold up better in your heat. A meter wide would be much more ideal for planting width.

You can google any number of mail-order bamboo nurseries, there are many. You're on the edge of hardiness for bamboo at zone 5b/6a, so you'll probably need to protect the plant during the winter. Others might have more information about growing bamboo in Chicago. Best wishes, my friend.

I shred annual 'bamboo trimmings' for mulch, culms and all, lots of silica
Slower decomposition over 'tree trimmings', in 2-4 inch lasagna layers.