Hi,

We need help with our bamboos!!

Six months ago we mass planted some clumping bamboos in our backyard. The plants were all healthy two year old specimens. They enjoy a sunny to mostly sunny position along the boundary fence. They were planted in a raised garden box with a special soil mix for bamboos and are fertilized as directed by the nursery. They are watered by a drip style irrigation system and have pebbles as mulch.

They grew very well for the first 2 to 3 months with multiple new shots appearing. However, at the beginning of winter we noticed the stems began to fade in colour/brightness. They were turning a grayish, army-type green. We suspected this may have been from over watering so we cut back on the watering. Months later the bamboos look even worse. At least the top halves of the stems have turned orange. The leaves too are now affected. They are pale green with orange stripes and are limp. Further, new sprouts change colour in a matter of days.

Are we now watering the bamboos too little? Is it as simple as that? Or is there another contributing factor? What is a realistic watering guide for clumping bamboos in a warm Sydney climate? How much water and for how long each season is enough? How can we strengthen these bamboos over the coming Spring?