A bamboo can reach enormous dimensions. Growth heights of 10 m are not uncommon. However, if you would like to have such a plant on your balcony or terrace, you should opt for a dwarf bamboo.
How do I properly care for a dwarf bamboo in a pot?
A dwarf bamboo in a pot needs a sunny or partially shaded location, regular watering with stale water, sparing fertilization, pot protection in winter and annual repotting in a larger container in order to grow he althily.
For which location is a dwarf bamboo in a pot suitable?
First you should plant your dwarf bamboo in a suitable container. Square pots are recommended because the roots have more space there than in a round pot. It is important to have a drainage layer at the bottom of the bucket, for example gravel. Normal potting soil is sufficient as soil.
Depending on the variety, place your dwarf bamboo in a pot in a sunny or partially shaded location. Some varieties even tolerate shade. In general, it is not advisable to have a place in the living room. Locations on the balcony or terrace are more suitable.
Watering and fertilizing
A dwarf bamboo in a pot cannot handle drought. Heat also quickly affects it if the water balance is not right. You should therefore water the plant in the pot regularly. Note this:
- use stale tap water or rainwater
- water daily in summer
- only water when the top layer of soil has dried out
While a dwarf bamboo outdoors does not necessarily need to be fertilized every year, if it is kept in a container, fertilizer is essential. It is important to fertilize sparingly. Long-term fertilizers (€8.00 on Amazon) or special bamboo fertilizers are well suited. Liquid fertilizer is given approximately every 2 to 3 weeks.
Wintering – necessary?
In the pot and left outside without protection throughout the winter, the dwarf bamboo would freeze to death. Therefore, you should either wrap it with fleece, place it on Styrofoam or wood and move the location to a protected house wall or you can overwinter the dwarf bamboo indoors. Temperatures between 3 and 10 °C are ideal for indoor overwintering.
Repotting – how often and when?
After overwintering, the perfect time has come to repot the dwarf bamboo. Such an event is recommended every year. The new bucket should be twice as big as the old bucket. This is important so that the roots do not burst the bucket with their strong urge to spread.
Tip
You can cut back your dwarf bamboo before it sprouts in spring. Don't worry: it can handle even a radical cut.
