Fargesia robusta 'Formidable'

🌱Spring

• Spring - late · Outdoors

  Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser

  Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.

  This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.

• Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

  Feed bamboo in pots

  For bamboos in pots, it may be easier to feed the plant with a liquid fertiliser diluted in water. Stand the pot on a saucer or tray while the feed in water is absorbed by the plant. This may also help to revive bamboos that cannot be repotted.

• Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

  Water to keep the soil moist

  For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.

  Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.

• Spring · Planting

  Prune bamboo to thin the plant

  Remove some of the old canes cutting them off at ground level.

  The plant is more attractive if canes are spaced out, rather than crammed together.

• Spring - early-mid · Planting

  Divide when too large

  The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.