A:

Hello Roger, As long as you make sure you keep it really well fed and watered, it should be fine as long as it is nice and wide. After a couple of years though it will need to be planted in the ground - as will most things that grow to a good size. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello Anne, The bamboos will not survive without drainage holes in the bottom of the pots, so this is essential. Sadly though even a tough plastic will deteriorate over time and may crack and split, so they will certainly help, but in the very long term the plants may break out. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello, If you go for one of the spreading rather than clump-forming bamboos then you will either need to get a really a big plastic pot (at least a 50 litre pot) or a plastic dustbin with drainage holes in the bottom and sink this into the ground. Alternatively you need to create a barrier that won't break down like a thick wall of concrete and sink
this at least 3' into the ground around the area you want them to spread. Unfortunately we don't sell either of these items, however they should be relatively easy to find. You can cut off the emerging stems that are growing in the wrong area, but this will not prevent the roots spreading and therefore the shoots will come up in a wider radius each year. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello Matt, Some bamboos can cause damage to the footings, but it really depends on how vigorous the plant is and how secure the footings are. The most compact (in spread) bamboo we sell is Fargesia murieliae, which has an eventual spread of 1.5m - just click on the following link to take you straight to it.
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/bamboo/exotics/fargesia-murieliae-/classid.1583/
It will take time to grow to this, but if you want to restrict it, then you do need to make sure the roots can't spread and that will mean putting in some form of barrier. As for spacing, most people will plant these at 50cm intervals if you are trying to create a nice, dense
screen. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello Pat, I'm afraid it is going to be incredibly difficult to get anything to grow in the dry, shady conditions next to your existing conifer. Bamboos in particular like quite a lot of water, so won't cope with the competition for water, light and nutrients. I'm afraid then your best option would be to bite the bullet and get rid of the conifer and then invest in a more mature plant to replace it. I'm sorry not to be more help. Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello, As a very general guide, I would expect between 1 and 3 canes per pot. Best regards, Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello There, Bamboos make up a huge group, but as a general rule the fastest growing ones are not suitable for pots and I'm afraid we do not sell any that are happy in very exposed positions, which is a very tricky situation for plants. I think ideally you should try to create a windbreak from some form of screening which will then offer some form of shelter to the plants. I'm sorry not to be more help. Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello There, You can give them a light trim, but these plants do not really need it, and will prefer it if it kept to a minimum. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

A:

Hello Lee, Bamboos are quite thirsty plants so need to be kept really well watered when they are grown in pots. They also resent very windy or exposed sites, however if you feel it is reasonably sheltered spot and you can either install an automatic watering system or make sure they get loads of water, then these make great screening plants. You should get the largest pots you can find, fill these will John Innes No2 or No3 and plant them at 50cm intervals. They are hardy plants so will not need winter protection.

A:

Hello Susan, Miracle-Gro is perfect for feeding Bamboos as it is a balanced, general fertiliser rather than one that is particularly high in nitrogen.