(Chris) wrote in message . com...
(Ken) wrote in message m...
Can any experts out there help?

I am planning on putting up a screen at the side of my house using
arrow bamboo but despite looking on the web for a couple of hours I
haven't managed to find out -
1. how deep the roots need to grow in order to reach 4-5m height (the
plants will be in a confined brick trough).
2. I would like near complete screening of light - what depth of
plantation would buy me this? and what density do I need to plant the
shoots?
3. Where can I get and at what height should the plants be to get
established quickly (say in 1-2 years)?
4. I have (approx) a 5m "strip" of screen to grow - what quantity of
plants should I budget for?
5. I understand that my screening could be jeopardised if the plants
flower - how often is this likely to happen and how severe is the die
back?

http://www.endangeredspecies.com/Bam...ons/Ps/PSJ.htm

Flowering is not uncommon in Pseudosasa Japonica and normally has no
effects on the plant.

Pseudosasa Japonica (Arrow Bamboo) is invasive (depending on your
climate either very invasive or not so bad, the warmer the more
invasive). I wouldn't worry about buying too much. Treat the plants
right and the next thing you know it is everywhere ;-) Make sure
there are barriers around your planting area. I have seen Arrow
bamboo grow under sidewalks and pop up in the miniscule gap where a
phone pole pokes through the cement.

I would plant on 5 foot centers and then gauge how it is growing in
your area. You may want to fill in some gaps if it spreads too slow
for you. Also, check in your area. You want to make sure it will
grow in your climate. You don't want to spend good money on a plant
to have it die and I've seen bamboo die on the way home... from
healthy green to brown and dead in a matter of 45 minutes.

Good Luck!

Chris
Chino, CA


Thanks for the feedback. http://www.endangeredspecies.com is a great
site and I've since spotted a couple of other candidates. I'm actually
based in the UK so weather is (typically) damp/overcast etc but not
too cold or too hot - overal the climate should be ok but I don't
expect any record breaking growth rates. I'm still not sure about
preventing spread so if anyone else reads this and has any advice....


cheers

Ken