Getting Rid of Bamboo
Mer serkel
A: Mer serkel,
I'm assuming your trying to rid yourself of Japanese Stilt Grass, also sometimes referred to as Bamboo. Perseverance is a necessary virtue when it comes to eradicating this prolific invader. The seeds from this grass can remain viable for up to 7 years, so the key is to stay on top of it and keep it from setting more seed (usually in September). Try spraying an "over the top" mixture of 1 cup salt, 1 gallon of vinegar and 1 tsp of Ivory dish soap (to get it to stick). This mixture is non-selective and can kill other plants and grasses, so apply it with care. Don't expect to see any changes for at least 24 hours, maybe even several days. Be patient. If you can't find 20-30% acid vinegar at a local feed store, you can strengthen regular 5% vinegar (the kind sold at grocery stores) by boiling it down to half its original volume. An effective commercial alternative is Ornamec-a herbicide available at many hardware and garden centers.
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Feedback About This Post:
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
I cut down the stalks; some 30-40 feet high. Then I used a large sump grinder which goes pretty deep and disintegrated all the roots.
Post By JOE,FT.WASH, MD (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
Here is a link to some more ways of getting rid of bamboo.
http://www.bambusero.co.nz/faq/
I like the bit about sending in the pigs :)
Post By Harvey (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
my mother planted one little stick of bamboo and it grow huge my father tried everything to get rid of it he finally build a garage over it. ill try the vinegar
Post By mark (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
For a very thorough explanation on how to get rid of bamboo (plus hear others' war stories and realize you have many comrades) go to:http://www.bayeradvanced.com/garden/gardening/roses/rose-chat.cfm
This is the absolute best forum on eradicating bamboo I have seen. Especially read the entries from PHIL. He is a pro.Good luck, liz
Post By liz (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
I contained it with a sheet metal barrier two feet down andit did not go under or through it, but is somehow snuck over and curved right back into the ground so I didn't see it. I found it growing 20 feet away from the main plants and it went into my neighbors yard. I dug it up and followed the rhyzomes. You have to make sure there are no pieces of "pods" in the ground because it will just grow from that. If you could catch it where it just starts coming out of the ground and pull it, you can follow the rhyzome. A lot of work, but they don't go that deep.
Post By Helen (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
Get that vinegar at Home Depot.
Post by cookwie
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
Gosh, you can send me some bamboo. I have always wanted some. Now with new neighbors with little children I would love something fast growing for privacy. I know it is invasive and all. But I find it so pretty and natural
Post by valery
Archived Request: Getting Rid of Bamboo
We have bamboo everywhere. We can't use chemicals because it is close to our well. We had the yard cleared with a backhoe and this did not help. I understand the the main root can be miles away.
Cassiemay
Post by ThriftyFun
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
This information might help from the American Bamboo Society website... http://www.americanbamboo.org/GeneralInfoPages/ControllingBamboo.html
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
It can be an unusual & beautiful plant IF PROPERLY CONTAINED. Neighbnors have some along a walkway, between the asphalt driveway & the concrete walkway. No problems there. Don't know if it is also otherwise contained, though.
Post by kidsNclutter
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
I feel for you. My parents had a Japanese garden when I was growing up & my father poisoned & did everything possible to get rid of it. He did everything but use dynamite. Ha! I went to my local nursery looking for plants & he suggested bamboo. He was young & had no clue. I laughed at him. My father finally got rid of it but I don't remember how.
Post By Vicki (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
uSE VINEGAR IT'S CHEAP AND IT WILL KILL ANYTHING ON THE GROUND
Post By sHEILA (Guest Post)
RE: Getting Rid of Bamboo
If you can get all the bamboo and it's roots out of your yard or the section where the well is, You could
place a metal barrier like sheet metal down into the area deep enough so the bamboo roots could not crawl under. How far? I don't really know. CT is loaded with bamboo and I see it everywhere around town on town land also. It's a terrible problem and has to be "dumped" according to state laws.
Post By Joan (Guest Post)
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