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Choice of species
It is important to understand the potential size and growth
habit of bamboo species when considering their suitability for pot culture. They
are hungry plants and will not tolerate drought: lack of water can cause the leaves
to turn brown and in severe cases produce near-complete loss of leaves, and
recovery is slow. The more vigorous and invasive species will rapidly fill their
containers with rhizomes and roots, lowering the water-holding capacity and
exhausting the supply of nutrients. Paul has shown that it is possible to grow
vigorous species in containers, at least temporarily, provided adequate
irrigation and feeding are given. Such plants can require repotting annually,
but he has also identified a number of species more suited to longer-term, near
permanent pot culture.
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