Bamboo Wanted

[ejames]

I always hear about people wanting to get rid of bamboo. Well, I want some and can't find any in nurseries (other than the "lucky" potted stuff). I don't figure the Ft. Worth Zoo would appreciate my showing up with a spade for some of theirs, so does anybody know where I can find some? I'd be willing to dig up some from people wanting rid of it or pay someone willing to let me take some divisions. Thanks, jej

[Tony M]

ejames-
The Dallas Arboretum has tons of it, you may want to contact Leslie (the head flower of this forum) and ask her if she can connect you.
Tony M

[flowerlover]

JEJ, may I ask where you are going to use the bamboo? I like it, too, but cannot figure out how/where to use it.

[Mr. Clean]

flowerlover

Bamboo is often used as a living privacy fence. The knock on it is that it is very invasive. I have seen a seemingly good answer to that problem and it is to plant them in very large containters countersunk slightly into the ground. I don't know the long term results of this application, but it does sound interesting and possibly worth pursuing.

[Connie Tassin]

When looking at bamboo, keep in mind there is a distinction between "running" and "clumping" varieties. Clumping sends out less shoots, but still grows, and grows outward.

I have known people to use the pot sunk in to the ground to control bamboo. I have known people who used a sunken cement barrier around the bamboo bed. In both cases the bamboo escaped! :)

I think clumping bamboo goes slower, though.

[The Ent]

There's a good bit of info on 'Good Bamboo' here:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_plants_grasses/article/0,1785,HGTV_3607_1729256,00.html

Apparently the best clumping ones don't really spread invasively at all.

[ejames]

I've found a couple private sources for bamboo. Thanks to all for their help. The HGTV link from The Ent below was most helpful. We'll see how it all works out--I'm trying to screen my neighbor's shed and utility area.

[planosmith]

Someone wants to get rid of bamboo. Don't know where they live but you could find out.

[tgoodwin]

I am looking for clumping bamboo to control erosion on a farm. Would like to get a small pickup load and I will dig it up.

[Yolanda]

ejames wrote: I always hear about people wanting to get rid of bamboo. Well, I want some and can't find any in nurseries (other than the "lucky" potted stuff). I don't figure the Ft. Worth Zoo would appreciate my showing up with a spade for some of theirs, so does anybody know where I can find some? I'd be willing to dig up some from people wanting rid of it or pay someone willing to let me take some divisions. Thanks, jej

[sandih]

The best bamboo source:

http://www.bamboosourcery.com/