moso bamboo

Moso bamboo requires watering when the top 2-3 inches of soil feels dry. The amount of water depends on the season and the growing conditions, but usually 1-2 gallons per foot of canopy should be enough. During the growing season, water 2-3 times a week in warmer weather and 1-2 times a week in cooler weather. In the winter, water less often, every 3-4 weeks.

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) prefers full sun, ideally 6-8 hours per day. If grown in direct sunlight throughout the year, the species will reach its maximum height and be kept from turning leggy. However, providing too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and burn. It is best to place moso bamboo in areas where it will receive the morning sun and then shade in the afternoon.

Pruning of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) should begin in the late spring or early summer, after the last frost. Pruning should be minimal and only done to remove large or dead culms and any rhizomes that show signs of disease. If desired, the tops of the culms can be cut a few feet up to prevent the plants from growing too tall. Pruning should occur every 2 to 3 years in order to maintain a healthy and fuller growth.