The Bamboo Shooting Season

During spring and early summer bamboo begins producing new shoots. These shoots grow extremely quickly and can reach their full height in about 60 days. Once the culm reaches its final height it will not grow taller, but it will continue producing leaves and branches.

This rapid growth requires water, nutrients, and healthy soil conditions.

Watering Bamboo in Spring

Bamboo requires consistent moisture during the shooting season. Rapid growth means the plant uses significantly more water than it does during the cooler months.

• Water deeply during dry periods
• Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged
• Newly planted bamboo may require more frequent watering

Proper watering helps support strong shoot growth and prevents stress during the most active growth period.

Fertilizing Bamboo in Spring

Spring is the best time to fertilize bamboo. As new shoots emerge, bamboo requires large amounts of nutrients to support rapid growth.

Bamboo is a heavy feeder and benefits from fertilizers that are high in nitrogen.

We recommend applying Bamboo Special 13-5-11 High Nitrogen Slow Release Fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season to provide consistent nutrition throughout the year.

View Bamboo Special 13-5-11 Fertilizer

Mulching Bamboo

Mulch helps maintain soil moisture and improves soil health around bamboo plants. A layer of mulch also protects the root zone from temperature fluctuations during the growing season.

• Apply mulch around the base of the bamboo clump
• Keep mulch a few inches away from the culms
• Organic mulches will slowly break down and add nutrients to the soil

Pruning Older Culms

Spring is also a good time to remove older or damaged culms. Each bamboo cane typically lives between five and seven years before being replaced by new growth.

Removing older culms improves airflow and allows new shoots more room to develop.

• Cut old culms at ground level
• Remove damaged or weak growth
• Thin crowded clumps if necessary

What to Expect During Spring Growth

New bamboo shoots emerge from the soil and grow rapidly during the shooting season. These shoots will reach their full height within a few weeks and then begin developing leaves and branches.

As the bamboo clump matures each year, the shoots will grow larger and stronger until the plant reaches its full mature size.