All About Black Bamboo: How to Grow Black Bamboo

Black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) is a member of the Poaceae family of grasses and the subfamily Bambusoideae. Gardeners favor black bamboo, also known as bambusa lako and Timor black bamboo, for its eye-catching ebony-colored stalks or culms. Beyond the striking visual contrast of black culms and bright green foliage, black bamboo’s thick growth makes a great privacy screen and noise damper for yards and patios.

Planting black bamboo is a relatively straightforward process. Below are some guidelines for getting this decorative and useful plant started:

1. 1. Plant black bamboo in the early spring. Black bamboo is one of the hardiest varieties of bamboo, and can successfully be grown in USDA hardiness zones seven through eleven. Black bamboo grows best in warmer climates. In any case, start your bamboo plants in early spring.
2. 2. Plant black bamboo in rich soil. Black bamboo grows best in moist, rich, well-draining soil. It is a hardy and adaptive plant.
3. 3. Place the bamboo in full sun or partial shade. Black bamboo grows well in full sun or partial shade. This makes finding a place in your property or garden relatively easy.
4. 4. Dig a wide hole for your plant. Make a hole two to three times the size of the root ball, and just deep enough to contain it.
5. 5. Fill the hole with compost. Use a mixture of compost and soil to fill the hole in. It can be helpful to add mulch around the planting area for good moisture balance.
6. 6. Water your plant consistently. Keep black bamboo plants moist but not soggy, especially when the plants are establishing. If you are planting in containers, water the black bamboo every other day.
7. 7. Add fertilizer. After your black bamboo has been in the ground for at least a month, you can add fertilizer. Twice a year is usually sufficient; once in late spring, and once again in the middle of the growing season.

Once established, black bamboo is low maintenance. To keep your bamboo growing healthily, follow these tips:

• Control the spread. Some varieties of black bamboo are running bamboo, and the rhizomes can grow outward along the ground. To contain the spread of running bamboo, you can implement a fiberglass or polypropylene barrier. These root barriers are typically thirty inches wide to control the bamboo roots from spreading outside a specific area.
• Prune the bamboo canes. Keep your fast-growing bamboo stand’s height in check by pruning in the spring when new shoots appear. Prune just above the nodes, the horizontal indentations or rings that segment the culms.
• Winterize your black bamboo plant. Add mulch around the growing area to protect your plant from freezing temperatures. During harsh winters, if size and space parameters permit, you can bring bamboo indoors. Mist the plant with water to help it stay strong through the cold months.
• Propagate your black bamboo plant. Thoroughly water your plant the day before propagating. To propagate a black bamboo plant, cut the culm on the clump you want to divide by two thirds. Using a garden spade, carefully dig up the portion of the bamboo rhizome you want to divide. Divide with your spade (a sharp blade or saw may be necessary), and move the trimmed section to a new area or planter.

The new shoots of a black bamboo plant are edible after cooking, and you can add them to dishes such as Asian stir-fry dishes or curries. Follow these steps to harvest black bamboo:

1. 1. Cut new sprouts. The best time to harvest is when the new sprouts are less than six inches long. Cut them with a sharp knife at ground level. Leave some new growth on the plant; removing all the new sprouts can impair the growth of the plant.
2. 2. Rinse the cuttings. After removing from the stalk, rinse the shoots.
3. 3. Slice the shoots. Cut the rinsed shoots in half lengthwise. Then, remove the thick outer layer, and cut the soft interior of the shoots to your desired thickness. You can boil, fry, or sauté the shoots for recipes.

Black bamboo can contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release the toxic compound hydrogen cyanide. Black bamboo is generally safe to consume when prepared and cooked properly.

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