How to control a clumper: Oldhamii

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GlennHam
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Location: SF Bay Area - California

How to control a clumper: Oldhamii

Post by GlennHam »

About 10 years ago we planted a clumper Bambusa oldhamii in our backyard as a screen from our suburban neighbors. It has been great but it is now slowly inching its way into territory where it shouldn’t be. This past summer I used a mattock / pick axe to dig out rising shoots many times that came into the neighboring lawn a few feet from where it was planted. Now it is creeping into the neighbor’s yard and damaging a fence which is only about 6 or 7 feet from where it was planted. I am looking for guidance on controlling its spread.

First, I am wondering if I might be watering it too much. Being a Californian, I doubt it but I thought I would ask.

I’ve read about using a rhizome barrier of HDPE. I understand this is necessary for running bamboo but for clumping ???? Any alternatives? If not, how thick should the material be? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, Glenn
ganhaar
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Location: Western Australia

Re: How to control a clumper: Oldhamii

Post by ganhaar »

I have a 20 y.o. oldhamii clump and it spread seems to slow down but it is still expanding outward. It doesn't sound like an oldhamii to me if the culms are appearing a few feet away from the main clump although maybe there is a well watered and fertilised lawn or garden that it is seeking out. I've always found oldhamii to be a nice tight clump with very erect culms. It should be easy enough to control by removing culms within a couple of feet of where you want to limit it and then harvesting and eating any new shoots that venture into the territory.
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