The hardy Chinese Wonder or Fargesi jiuzhaigou No.1 does not need a rhizome barrier. Like all other Fargesias, it grows like a clump and does not form long rhizomes. This makes it much easier to remove it from the garden if necessary.
Does red bamboo need a rhizome barrier?
Does red bamboo need a rhizome barrier? Yes, the Phyllostachys variety, like Phyllostachys aureosulcata “Spectabilis”, requires a rhizome barrier. To create it, use a special PEHD film (€169.00 on Amazon), which is worked into the soil at least 60 cm deep.
The Phyllostachys aureosulcata “Spectabilis” also shows bright red stalks at times after they emerge from the earth lemon yellow. Later the stalks get green stripes. With a size of around three to five meters, it does not necessarily belong to the category of giant bamboo, but it is very decorative and also hardy. However, this bamboo grows very vigorously and definitely needs a rhizome barrier.
How do I create a rhizome barrier?
A rhizome barrier is only effective if you use the right material. Pond liner or a slightly larger flower pot are absolutely unsuitable, as these are not serious obstacles for the runners of your bamboo. It is better to use a special PEHD film (€169.00 on Amazon) that is approx. 2 mm thick. Dig a sufficiently large and at least 50 cm deep planting hole for your bamboo.
Depending on the size and growth height of your bamboo, it requires an area of at least 3 square meters (for a medium-sized bamboo) or 10 square meters (for a large bamboo), on which the plant can spread as desired.
Work the foil as a ring around your bamboo at least 60 cm deep into the ground. Close this ring carefully with a special aluminum splint to prevent rhizomes from growing outside. The film should protrude about five to ten centimeters from the soil. This way you can control that the rhizomes cannot spread over it.
The most important things in brief:
- Phyllostachys needs a rhizome barrier
- Fargesias do not need a rhizome barrier
- only use special PEHD film as a rhizome barrier
- Work the film into the ground at least 60 cm
- Let the rhizome barrier look about 5 to 10 cm out of the soil
- give the bamboo enough room to grow
- Close the foil ring carefully with the aluminum rail
Tip
If you don't want to create a rhizome barrier, then choose a bamboo fargesia, these varieties do not form rhizomes. Chinese Wonder produces bright red stalks.
