Every year, thousands of people in Arizona email or call Rosie Romero’s radio show with questions about everything from how to keep their chimneys from catching fire to how to get rid of tree roots that are growing into their sewers. His goal is to provide answers that suit the specific lifestyle wherever someone lives in Arizona.
ANSWER: Yes, bamboo is possible to grow. It takes a fair amount of water, but bamboo loves the heat. It can be hard to keep track of all the runners it sends out into your yard, which is something you might not like. However, there is a clumping variety that is not as prone to doing that. So you can ask for that type in a nursery.
Q: I have a tract home built in 2006. I keep hearing what sounds like a firecracker going off at night from the south wall of the master bedroom. It’s not the faint kind of sound like you hear when a house is contracting or expanding. You can push on a section of the wall and make it crack the same way. When I asked a home inspector about it, he said it might be because of a problem with the trusses.
Bamboo is often associated with tropical and subtropical climates, but did you know that bamboo can also grow in arid desert environments? With the right variety selection, care, and maintenance, bamboo can thrive in desert landscapes.
An Overview of Bamboo Growth
Bamboos are giant grasses that have woody stems. There are over 1,000 species of bamboo that grow in diverse climates ranging from cold mountains to steamy jungles. Bamboos can be categorized into two types based on their growth habit – clumping bamboos and running bamboos.
Clumping bamboos grow in tight clusters, only spreading short distances underground. In contrast, running bamboos spread extensively via underground rhizomes, making them more invasive. When it comes to growing bamboo in the desert, clumping varieties are usually preferred as they are easier to control.
All bamboos need abundant moisture while establishing. Mature bamboos vary in their water requirements depending on species Some are quite drought tolerant while others require regular irrigation
Growing Bamboo in Desert Conditions
While bamboos are not desert plants by nature, some varieties can adapt and grow well in arid environments if adequately irrigated. The challenges posed by desert climates include intense sunlight, low humidity, high temperatures, and alkaline soils.
When selecting bamboo varieties for desert gardens, look for drought-tolerant types that can withstand dry atmospheric conditions. Avoid plants with extremely high water needs. The best bamboos for desert climates have extensive rhizome and root systems to tap into any available moisture.
Use drip irrigation or leaky hoses to maintain soil moisture, especially while the plants are establishing. Mulch around the base to reduce evaporation. Provide partial shade if possible. Test the soil and amend with sulfur or organic matter if the pH is too alkaline.
Ideal Bamboo Varieties for Desert Gardens
Here are some excellent bamboo varieties that can grow well in hot, arid desert environments:
Clumping Bamboos
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Alphonse Karr – Dense clumps of bamboo with bright green culms and elegant leaves. Max height 15-20 ft.
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Barbellata – Tight clumps with yellow culms that turn green. Max height 15-25 ft.
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Blue Stem – Clumping bamboo with stunning blue-green stems. Grows 15-25 ft tall.
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Pygmy Bamboo – A petite clumping bamboo growing just 1-3 ft tall. Great for containers.
Running Bamboos
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Golden Bamboo – Fast spreading bamboo with bright yellow culms, growing 10-16 ft tall.
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Umbrella Bamboo – Vigorously spreading bamboo with large 8-10 in leaves. Grows 15-25 ft tall.
Caring for Bamboo in Desert Gardens
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Plant in spring to give bamboos the entire growing season to establish before winter dormancy.
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Prepare the soil by adding compost and testing pH. Amend if needed.
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Water new plantings regularly to encourage root establishment. Provide drip irrigation for mature plants.
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Apply mulch to help retain soil moisture and reduce water needs by up to 30%. Replenish mulch annually.
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Fertilize in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer or one specifically for bamboos.
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Prune out dead or damaged culms and remove side shoots to encourage new growth.
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Divide congested clumps every 3-5 years. Replant divisions or gifts extras to fellow gardeners.
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Grow bamboos in large containers to restrict spread. Use well-draining potting mix amended with compost.
Bamboo Ranch – A Desert Bamboo Nursery
Bamboo Ranch in Tucson, Arizona specializes in growing and testing bamboos for arid Southwestern desert environments. The owner Dan Birk has been experimenting with bamboos since 1986 and has successfully cultivated over 75 groves.
They offer tours and advice on selecting bamboo varieties suitable for your garden’s climate and needs. You can visit by appointment to see which bamboos perform well in the Tucson desert before purchasing plants for your own landscape.
While bamboo is not a traditional desert plant, many varieties can adapt and thrive with the right care. Focus on drought-tolerant clumping types and provide ample irrigation while plants establish. With the proper selection and maintenance, bamboo can add beautiful exotic foliage to desert gardens.
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A: It sounds like something in the wall assembly wasn’t sealed or connected correctly when the house was built. The wall assembly consists of the framing members, insulation, piping, wiring, drywall and siding. Unfortunately, the only way to find out where the noise is coming from is to take down the drywall and search for it.
Q: I have a new house with a plain dirt backyard that has nothing in it. Can I put together a patio with pavers on my own? Is there a class I can take to learn how to do it?
A: I have put down concrete pavers that fit together perfectly on my own before, and I have also used paving blocks to build retaining walls and planters. Doing the walls was easy but laying pavers correctly is very difficult. First, you will need to put down a layer of gravel called an aggregate base course layer. Then, you will need to put down a layer of sand. All the layers have to be properly compacted and leveled. If you decide to go this route, paver manufacturers have put together video lessons that you can watch online. However, most manufacturers say that to get the best results, you should hire a certified concrete paver installer.
Q: Half of my lemon tree seems to have oranges instead of lemons. How did that happen and what do I do with the oranges?.
A: Try peeling and tasting the orange to see if it’s sour or not. If it tastes like a lemon, you can use it like a lemon. If it tastes like an orange, you might want to make orange juice. It might have happened because there is a sucker on your lemon tree that’s from an orange graft. Or it could be a “cocktail tree,” which is a lemon tree with two or three different types of citrus trees grafted on to it.
Q: Three years ago, I planted a fully mature mesquite on a piece of property that I own. It’s not a Chilean mesquite, it was a local variety. I rent out the house, and the tree’s bark keeps coming off. I think he’s not watering it enough. An arborist looked at it and says it’s OK, but I’m still worried about it. What do you think?.
A: As mesquites age and mature, they do have some peeling bark. It’s not necessarily a problem. Some of them get very shaggy. Mesquites don’t look very good at this time of year, as they transition from winter to spring. But they’re pretty hardy and yours sounds like it will be sound.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 29 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and from 9-11 a.m. on KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
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Can You Grow Bamboo In The Desert?
FAQ
Can bamboo be grown in Arizona?
Will bamboo grow in Nevada?
Why is it illegal to grow bamboo?
Can bamboo grow in hot climates?
How do you grow a desert bamboo plant?
Plant desert bamboo varieties near a water source or in a location convenient to a sprinkler, as establishing bamboo in an arid climate takes lots of water. Keep bamboo well-watered for the first three to four years after planting to develop a good root system. However, soil should not remain wet or soggy.
Can bamboo grow in a desert?
While bamboo may seem out of place in the dry, hot desert, there are certain species well-adapted to these conditions. The key factors determining success are climate, sun exposure, soil, and attentive watering. When selecting bamboo for desert growing, choose varieties rated for the same USDA Hardiness Zone as your region.
Which bamboo species are suitable for a dry desert environment?
These bamboo species are good candidates for dry desert environments: Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex) – A clumping tropical bamboo that tolerates reflected heat. Needs decent water. Graceful Bamboo (Bambusa textilis var. gracilis) – Low water needs make this clumping bamboo a good desert choice.
Where does bamboo grow in the world?
Traditionally, bamboo has been associated with tropical and subtropical regions, where it thrives in moist and warm environments. However, with the advancement in agricultural practices and breeding techniques, certain species of bamboo are now being grown successfully in desert and arid regions.
What type of bamboo grows in the desert?
One of the best examples of a desert bamboo species is Oxytenanthera abyssinica. This variety is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and is common in the Sahel, a sensitive transition zone between the desert and the savannah. It doesn’t actually grow in the Sahara Desert but is found in this region.
Where can you find bamboo plants in Arizona?
The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, showcases graceful bamboo specimens mixed skillfully among cacti and succulents. Bambusa textilis var. gracilis blends seamlessly into the rugged desert landscape. In Tucson, Arizona, homeowners embrace bamboo to create backyard havens.