Think of bamboo as a tall lawn. If you want bamboo to grow well you use
slow-release lawn fertilizer at the recommended dosage and frequency and
water so the ground is evenly moist but not soggy. Just like with your
lawn, watering deeply but infrequently promotes deeper rooting so the
bamboo will be more drought tolerant than if you water frequently.

As for septic systems, tree roots (and various other plants too) are
more likely to damage them than bamboo is. The bamboo rhizome (what
Joe called the root) generally runs horizontally about a foot below
grade. The roots of the bamboo spread out from the rhizome and these
will head toward the septic system as it is a source of fertilizer. But
bamboo roots never get as thick as tree roots can, so they are much less
likely to cause damage. Personally, I think ivy and blackberries are
worse pests than bamboo. Those in the South probably don't like kudzu much.

One last thing. Most plants have a fairly narrow range of soil pH that
they are comfortable with and altering that can kill them. Joe probably
could have poured either vinegar (increasing the acidity) or lye
(increasing the alkalinity) into the holes he drilled and that would
have killed the bamboo just like the Roundup did. Both vinegar and lye
have to be more environmentally friendly as well as cheaper than
Roundup. Take appropriate precautions if you decide to try lye (it will
turn your skin into soap if you get it on you)!

Regards,

Bob

Joe C (free agent acct) wrote:
Are you kidding? It is a weed like you cannot imagine.....once it
grows, get ready with roundup as it is unstoppable otherwise.
I hear it can destroy septic systems in the area.

Joe

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 16:47:44 -0400, "Bob Hardy"
wrote:


A lot of us want to know how you got it to grow so well in the first place.

------
Bob

Joe C (free agent acct) wrote in message
. ..

I battled it for years until I found this cure.

when the shoots come in the spring, let them get 8-12" high.
Then get a long metal drill. Break off the shoot and then drill down
the center unti you hit some resistance. Then drill about 1/2"
further. Now pour a teaspoon of Roundup in there - Wham!!!
That will kill the shoot and the root underneath. This works!!!
Joe