Originally Posted by allen73

Starting after the second summer of growth, it is good for the bamboo to be thinned out a bit. Take away only a few of the oldest canes (these will most likely be the smallest in the clump). Do not take more than 1/3 of the total mass of the clump, and do not take any of the newest growth. Once you have decided which canes to cut, cut them near the base, just above a node, which is the 2nd or 3rd node above the ground.


Always thin the bamboo out when it is dormant, this is usually over the winter months. The new spring and summer shoots are very brittle and they may abort if damaged. Old dead canes (culms) should be removed as low as possible, and also remove the thin culms, on plants that are now producing fatter culms. Lower branches can also be removed to show off the culms . Thinning out and removal of old culms and branches benefits the plant and does not set the bamboo back in any way. This thinning process allows in the sunlight and also the rain and therefor aids the speed and maturity of your bamboo.