A beautiful bamboo often delights our eyes for years. In general, bamboo is one of the very robust, winter-hardy plants. If it suddenly and unexpectedly loses many or all of its leaves, effective emergency measures are absolutely necessary.
Why is my bamboo losing its leaves and what can I do?
If a bamboo loses leaves, dryness, waterlogging or pest infestation can be the cause. To save the plant, you should water the bamboo sufficiently, ensure good drainage and, if infested with pests, treat it with anti-lice medication.
As one of the most vital evergreen plants, bamboo loses little or no leaves in winter. If the leaves curl up before they fall off, this is a clear indication that he is very thirsty.
As the leaves curl up, the leaf surface becomes smaller. Less water evaporates and less water is needed in acute shortages. You should immediately water your bamboo thoroughly, water regularly and give the leaves a fine mist shower so that it can regenerate completely.
Your bamboo is losing leaves - here's how you can help
In general, the following causes can be responsible if the bamboo loses leaves:
- Upper root area too dry
- Waterlogging in the lower root area, in the planter or saucer
- Pests such as lice or mites
If freshly planted bamboo plants shed leaves, they are not yet rooted deeply enough and are suffering from dryness. The fewer leaves, the less water is required by the roots. This is how you can remedy the situation:
- Water bamboo roots sufficiently
- cover with moist soil
- protect and shade the upper root area with reed mats
Bamboo doesn't like wet feet, lice or mites
When water accumulates in the root area, bamboo plants react by shedding discolored leaves. Therefore, ensure good drainage when using bamboo in the garden, as a container plant or in a pot.
If the bamboo loses leaves with dry spots, lice or mites are usually the cause. It is best to rinse on all sides with a special anti-lice agent. Then dry the plant in the sun and let it regenerate. An additional dose of liquid fertilizer also strengthens the bamboo so that it no longer loses leaves.
Fargesias shed their leaves before winter
Bamboos of the Fargesia variety shed a third of their leaves by winter. Up to half in the first year. First the leaf tips change color, then there are completely yellow leaves before they fall off. In spring, all Fargesia varieties form new leaves and shine in their fresh green foliage. So don't worry.
Tips & Tricks
Do not remove fallen, he althy bamboo leaves. The leaves contain silicon, which the bamboo plant needs for its growth.
