Jim,

Are you sure you are growing Golden Bamboo. P. aurea?

I have never started aurea from seed but I use promix for the P. bamboo I
have started from seed.

If it is a rhyzome division then I add composted cow manure into the
planting soil (clay) and they do fine.

Bert

"Jim Caldwell" wrote in message
...
I am starting some bamboo seedlings about 2 in. tall in 6 in pots. The
soil
is just Miracle Gro potting soil. The pots get full sun, and I don't let
the soil get dried out. The bamboo isn't growing very much, and one (of
two)
looks like it might not survive. Am I using the wrong kind of soil ?
Maybe
they prefer a different ph or they like a more sandy soil?