Bamboo is an incredibly versatile and beautiful plant that can enhance any indoor or outdoor space. With proper care and feeding bamboo will thrive and grow to become a stunning focal point in your home or garden. However, choosing the right fertilizer is key to keeping your bamboo healthy and encouraging lush vibrant growth. In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know about fertilizing bamboo and reveal the best fertilizers to use.
Overview of Fertilizing Bamboo
While bamboo is quite resilient providing proper nutrition through fertilizing is essential to its health and vigor. Fertilizing encourages steady growth strong culms and stems, and bright green foliage. It also helps bamboo better cope with pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.
When selecting a fertilizer, it is important to choose one tailored to bamboo’s specific nutritional needs. All bamboos prefer slightly acidic soil with a higher nitrogen content. However, the ideal NPK ratios and fertilizing schedules can vary between indoor and outdoor varieties. Slow release granular or spike fertilizers are excellent choices for outdoor clumping bamboos, while indoor bamboos thrive with mild liquid feeds. Organic options utilizing fish emulsions or seaweed extracts are also highly effective and safe for bamboo.
Proper fertilizing technique is also key. Outdoors, granular fertilizers can be worked into the soil around bamboo groves before the growing season begins. Indoors, liquid fertilizers should be diluted and applied gently to avoid burning delicate roots and rhizomes. Following label instructions carefully prevents over-feeding. With the right fertilizer and proper application, your bamboo will flourish more beautifully than ever before!
6 Best Fertilizers for Bamboo
1. Espoma Organic Bamboo-Tone Fertilizer
- Features a 5-3-3 NPK ratio ideal for bamboo nutrition.
- Made with fish bonemeal, alfalfa meal, and kelp to provide nitrogen and key micronutrients.
- USDA Certified Organic and safe for people, pets and the environment.
- Releases nutrients slowly over 3-4 months.
- Simple granules are easy to apply by digging into soil around bamboo.
2. Jobe’s Organics Bone Meal Fertilizer
- Provides a phosphorus boost with a 0-12-0 NPK.
- Made from steamed ground animal bones.
- Releases calcium and phosphorus steadily over 2-3 months.
- OMRI Listed organic formula.
- Sprinkle around bamboo groves and lightly till into topsoil.
3. Neptune’s Harvest Organic Bamboo Fertilizer
- Specially formulated 2-3-1 NPK for bamboo’s nutritional needs.
- Liquid seaweed and fish fertilizer blend.
- Provides vital micronutrients through ocean extracts.
- Can be mixed with water and used to fertilize indoor bamboos.
- Apply every 2-4 weeks for steady nourishment.
4. Down to Earth Bamboo Fertilizer Mix
- Features an acidic 6-3-3 NPK ratio ideal for bamboo.
- Contains bat guano, fish bone meal, kelp meal, humic acids and beneficial microbes.
- Certified for use in organic gardening.
- Feed outdoors 2-3 times per season and water in well.
- Can also lightly mix into potting soil for indoor bamboos.
5. Superthrive Vitamin/Hormone Plant Food
- Stimulates root growth and stress resistance.
- Contains vitamin B1 and rooting hormones.
- Designed to boost transplant recovery.
- Use as directed after planting or dividing bamboo.
- A few drops per gallon of water for indoor or outdoor use.
6. Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Fertilizer
- Provides steady nitrogen with a 12-4-8 NPK ratio.
- Feeds bamboo for up to 3 months.
- Granules are easy to sprinkle around bamboo groves.
- Improves nutrient deficient soil over time.
- Trusted brand preferred by many gardeners.
When and How Often to Fertilize Bamboo
Bamboo should be fertilized during the growing season from early spring through summer. Outdoor varieties can be fed every 4-8 weeks, while indoor bamboos need fertilizing monthly or bimonthly. When winter arrives, fertilizing should cease until new growth emerges again in spring.
The frequency of fertilizing also depends on the maturity of the bamboo. Younger plants and new transplants may need more frequent feedings. Mature, established bamboo groves are fine with less frequent fertilizing during the growing months. Monitoring the color of foliage and speed of new shoot growth can help determine if your bamboo needs more or less feeding.
Fertilizing Indoor vs Outdoor Bamboo
Outdoor and indoor bamboos have some differing nutritional requirements that are important to consider when choosing a fertilizer and application method.
Outdoor varieties grown directly in the ground are fertilized with slow release spikes or granules worked into the soil around the bamboo groves before the growing season. This provides a gradual feeding that lasts 2-3 months. A NPK ratio higher in nitrogen, such as 20-5-5, is recommended.
Indoor bamboos thrive with mild liquid fertilizers that are diluted and applied directly to the foliage and soil every 2-4 weeks. Look for a balanced liquid formula in the 2-2-2 or 5-5-5 NPK range. Avoid over-feeding indoor bamboos as their roots can easily burn.
Organic vs Chemical Fertilizers
You can feed bamboo with traditional synthetic chemical fertilizers or organic options. Chemical fertilizers often provide nutrition in a more concentrated, rapid form. This makes them ideal for addressing deficiencies quickly. Organic fertilizers release nutrients more slowly over an extended period through microbial breakdown. They also enhance soil health by feeding beneficial bacteria and fungi. Blends that contain fish emulsion, bone meal, alfalfa meal and seaweed extracts are excellent organic choices for bamboo.
How to Properly Apply Fertilizer to Bamboo
Follow these tips to fertilize bamboo successfully and safely:
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Always read and follow label directions carefully to avoid over-fertilizing.
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Outdoor granular fertilizers can be sprinkled around bamboo groves and gently tilled into the top 2-3 inches of soil. Water thoroughly afterward.
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When fertilizing indoor bamboos, mix liquid fertilizers with water as directed before gently pouring onto the soil. Never apply undiluted fertilizer directly on plant parts.
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Wash any fertilizer off bamboo foliage using clean water if accidental contact occurs.
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Apply outdoor liquid fertilizers with a hose sprayer or watering can, avoiding contact with bamboo leaves.
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Fertilize in the early morning or late evening to minimize leaf burn. Hot mid-day sun can increase chances of fertilizer damage.
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After fertilizing, flush soil with clean water monthly to prevent salt buildup.
Troubleshooting Common Bamboo Fertilizing Problems
Yellowing Leaves
If bamboo leaves turn yellow, it often indicates a nitrogen deficiency. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer such as fish emulsion or a chemical feed with a higher first number. Avoid over-fertilizing which can burn roots.
Small New Growth
Small new shoots and stunted growth may mean insufficient phosphorus. Use a phosphorus-boosting formula like bone meal. Ensure adequate sun and watering as well.
Brown Leaf Tips
Brown crispy leaf tips are a sign of a salt buildup from over-fertilizing. Flush soil by watering thoroughly monthly to wash away excess salts.
White Deposits on Soil
White deposits on the soil surface are also indicative of a salt accumulation. Leach the soil with copious watering to dissolve the salts and drain them away from bamboo roots.
Choosing the ideal fertilizer and feeding technique is key to nourish your bamboo and encourage vigorous, healthy growth. Select a formula with an NPK ratio suited to bamboo needs, such as Espoma Organic Bamboo-Tone or Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed. Feed outdoor bamboos with granular fertilizers a few times per growing season. Indoor varieties thrive with mild liquid feeds applied monthly. Follow label instructions carefully and address any symptoms of deficiency or over-fertilization promptly. With the proper fertilizing regimen, your bamboo will reward you with lush, vibrant beauty.
The Best Fertilizer for Bamboo
FAQ
What kind of fertilizer is best for bamboo?
Is Miracle Grow good for bamboo plants?
Are coffee grounds good for bamboo?
How can I make my bamboo grow better?
What is the best fertilizer for bamboo plants?
Buy LakeDew Biochar Based Fertilizer on Amazon! Organic Liquid Fertilizer by Simple Lawn Solutions is a balanced liquid fertilizer that will boost the growth of your bamboo with a 16-4-8 blend. It is supposed to be one of the best mixes for bamboo plants and on top of that it is organic!
How do you fertilize bamboo?
Lawn Fertilizer When feeding bamboo with a lawn fertilizer select one that contains around 20 percent nitrogen, give or take a few percent, and apply about 2 pounds per 100 square feet in spring and again in early summer.
Is Lewis bamboo a good fertilizer?
Around 80% of the bamboo fertilizers you find are meant for Lucky Bamboo, which actually isn’t bamboo. Lewis Bamboo, however, came up with their own bamboo fertilizer. They nurture and sell bamboo plants in the US. The Lewis Bamboo – Biochar Fertilizer 18-5-12 has slow-release properties. They recommend applying it only twice a year.
Is it necessary to fertilize bamboo plants in pots?
Yes, it is necessary to fertilize bamboo plants in pots. Potted bamboo plants have limited access to nutrients compared to those planted in the ground. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer specifically formulated for potted plants, following the instructions on the package.
Do lucky bamboo plants need fertilizer?
Indoor lucky bamboo will thrive with a very weak solution once a month in spring and summer with no extra feeding being required in winter. Most lucky bamboo plants are sold in water and require very little fertilizer when offered filtered water that is naturally rich in nitrogen and frequently changed.
How often should I fertilize a bamboo plant?
It’s generally recommended to feed a bamboo plant twice a year, in spring and summer. Without sufficient fertilizer and nutrients, a bamboo plant may have smaller culms, fewer new shoots, and fewer leaves.