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[imported_thbinxParticipant]

I have got a hill full of bamboo.  We had it chopped down last year and treated it with ammonia but it grew back faster than before.  The whole issue was very expensive and now the city wants us to cut it down again.  I am wondering if anybody  knows of a way to kill the bamboo.  I tried putting plastic over it after it was cut but it grows through.  So any advice you could give us would be great as we can’t afford to have the bamboo trimmed again….. Thanks
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[imported_InAlabamaParticipant]

I donít have a solution for killing bamboo, but I may have one for getting it cut on the cheap.

Bamboo is a popular material for handcrafters.

Try running an ad in a local shoppers guide, such as Penny Shopper, Nickel Trader or whatever is available in your area.  You might find someone who will gladly cut the bamboo at no charge to just to get it for crafting.

Even if they do not want it all, you would be that much closer to getting it all cut.  Make sure you make it clear that they are expected to haul off all that they cut so you do not end up with a mess to clean up after they leave.

I have done this for a friend in the past in exchange for the bamboo.  I also rake off another friendís roof and yard twice a year in exchange for the pine straw and have pulled kudzu vines from trees in exchange for the vines.  

I use the bamboo and vines for baskets.  And the pine straw I use as mulch for my flowerbeds.

[imported_Ann_PhippsParticipant]

I, too, am plagued by this prolific plant from my former neighbor’s yard. However, that lot is now empty and I am on a mission to rid the land of this invasive “creature” and did some online research yesterday. I discovered two things that may help you.

First, you said that it grew through the black plastic. It might not have been thick enough and the sun still got through. Try with thicker plastic or double/triple layers. Hold the plastic up to the sun. If you can see any light, so can the plants. Also, apply some mulch over the stumps before laying down the black plastic.

Second, I read several posts that stated the only sure way to kill bamboo is to stop the photosynthesis process. That means getting rid of all the leaves on the plant. They will grow back and you get rid of those. Over several cycles, the plant will exhaust itself trying to replenish its leaves (where it absorbs sun) and die, and the roots and runners will rot. Labor intensive but sounds like the most environmentally-friendly way.

I’m going to try the latter method this spring.

I urge anyone reading this post that may be thinking of planting bamboo to realize you will have it FOREVER (and so will your neighbors), it will spread rapidly and you will have difficulty growing anything else within 20 feet of it.

[imported_bigmomma66092Participant]

try just plain old table salt that also kills all plants , buy a bunch pour all over then water it or u could maybe use that rock salt if you have some left over from the winter, i have bambo around our pond to keep it shaded so it keeps down the algea but i understand it has a mind of its own lol goodluck kelley ;)

[imported_Ann_PhippsParticipant]

The problem with salt is, like you stated, it will kill all plants. There are other growing things within the bamboo that I don’t want to kill!

I live in zone 8 and have hot and humid summer conditions that makes the bamboo thrive. It never dies in the winter and, on the other side of the lot (not next to mine) it is already two stories tall. I swear you can actually watch this stuff grow!

I have, however, enjoyed having a ready source of plant stakes to help my over-zealous irises that are top heavy. ;)

[imported_tbruehlParticipant]

Hello, one Q, do you have the plant that dies above ground each year?  They say this isn’t truely bamboo, I’m just curious.  

I have wanted to get into the specialty bamboo’s and so have researched the run-away train you have.  The bamboo companys say to mow/weedeat any area’s you don’t want it and it will die there.  The same response as above really, which is to stop it from getting food from the sun.

BTW, there are slow growing bamboo’s that are truely beautiful also available are clump growing bamboo’s.

It isn’t really very ‘frugal’ to start this hobbie so I haven’t sold myself on it yet.  The really nice looking bamboo’s are not cheap.

Tonia

[imported_littlejoParticipant]

we have about a acre and a half of it and we havnet had much trouble keeping it where we want it. the sale only works if you pour lots of it on it. and I mean LOTS. the best thing to corrall it up with and keep it contained is to dig a ditch around it and put tin in the ditch .( tin sheets on their sides ) then put the dirt right up to it. the roots will grow into the tin and hit it and turn up . it will not grow any futher if you have the tin deeper than the roots. we use it for many many things and have some lots of it to people for crafts, fishing poles, garden stakes, trelles, to cover a roof. this stuff has tons and tons of uses. we make pretty good off of it in the spring selling the shoots to asian people who pickel it , can it . they say it taste really good but I have not ate any of this but have ate it at different chinese buffets.

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