Watering Schedule

for Best Results & Optimal Growth Rate

Information below is dependent on bamboo age; find your bamboo age below and check out our watering recommendations. 

Disclaimer

*It does not hurt to water extra if there is sufficent drainage.

*If you have ~20-30+ plants in one irrigation zone, you may need to use the highest numbers listed below as your watering time, or water for as long as you see fit in accordance with the water pressure available.

*Use discretion with waterng. Always check for thirsty bamboo. Thirsty bamboo indicators listed below.

*The month ranges listed below for the watering schedules are only to indicate the meterological season and estimated temperatures for certain months, but it may be warmer or cooler certain parts of the year. You may feel that you need to make adjustments to the watering schedule as the temperature ebbs and flows, and it is compeltely fine if your adjustments differ from our recomemndations listed here. The most important thing is to watch for thirsty bamboo and make sure you are giving your bamboo enough water for its stage, how ever you see fit.

*Our recommendations are listed here as a guide from bamboo experts and are not to be used like God's word. Trust your intuition and contact us if you need more help. 

*If you are a bamboo member and purchased our irrigation system, our team will adjust your irrigation as the weather changes for your convenience, but ultimately, even with our system, it is your responsibility to make sure your watering schedule is set-up how you like it to be, and let our office know your preferences. For example, if you prefer to not have us adjust your watering system, please let the our office know at (832) 713-4319.

Watering Newly Installed Bamboo Plants

Water is essential for newly installed bamboo plants, especially new bamboo planted in the summer heat. It is still a great time to plant bamboo in the peak of summer as your bamboo will be super active while establishing in its new home.

Watering New Bamboo Plants Less Than 1 Year Old by Hand

In the peak of summer, newly planted bamboo should be getting ~30 seconds of full-on hose water per each plant 1-2x per day to keep new bamboo from drying out while establishing into the new ground. Planting in the heat is a great option as long as there is sufficient water supply.

If planting in spring or fall, water at least once per day for ~30 seconds per plant with a hose.

Winter bamboo planting requires just watering 3x per week for ~30 seconds per plant.

HEAT ADVISORY: Even one day without water to your newly planted bamboo may cause your new bamboo to suffer due to harsh heat conditions.

Once a bamboo is well-established in the new ground, we can adjust watering. Please continue reading to learn more about established bamboo watering requirements.

Hands-Free Bamboo Watering: Amazon Bamboo Irrigation System

We designed a Bamboo Irrigation System which can water up to ~40 plants in the same area per zone! Water hands-free knowing every plant is going to be watered consistently at the roots of each bamboo at the right times for enough time! Our system costs just $300 for most homes' needs which includes the line to water each individual plant, the timer and all connection. Highly recommended, afforadbale, and built by our specialists for consistency, direct root penetration, long-term durability, and inexpensive cost. Our custom built system includes a “Y” faucet connector for our line and your garden hose, an easy-to-use timer, a ½” in black durable flex tube, and adjustable 360° sprayer nozzles for every bamboo plant. We can adjust the bamboo irrigation system for you throughout the year, otherwise, it is very simple for you to use too.

Amazon Bamboo Irrigation System Settings (Watering Instructions for Bamboo less than 1 year old)

• Spring (March 1st - May 31st):  Daily (early morning) for 10-15 minutes per day, or ~1 gallon per plant per day.
• Summer (June 1st - August 31st):  Daily (early morning) for 15-20 minutes every 12 hours.
• Fall (September 1st - November 30th): When it begins cooling down, water daily for 10-15 minutes per day or 2-3x every week unless it is still warm-hot, then use the spring an summer recommendations instead. Feel it out depending on the current temperature and watch for thirsty bamboo. 
• Winter (December 1st - February 28th): 2-3x per week for 10 minutes each time unless it rains.  
• Before Freeze: Turn off water
• After Freeze: Turn on water to 10-15 minutes 2-3x every week

It is recommended to follow the above watering schedule for a minimum of 1 year from the initial planting date. If not, the bamboo will take longer or struggle to establish, growing slower than it is capable and could potentially completely die in some severe cases if you neglect to water the new bamboo as it suffers from extreme dehydration. Please feel comfortable contacting us about your irrigation plan.

For your good information, there have been many people who plant new bamboo and get away without ever watering their bamboo which results in slower establishing bamboo and sometimes bamboo casualties; hence, we will not warranty any bamboo that dies from dehydration. Only bamboo members can qualify for a lifetime bamboo warranty.

Amazon Bamboo Irrigation System (Watering Instructions for Established Bamboo 1+ Years Old)

• Spring (March 1st - May 31st):  Daily (early morning) for 10-15 minutes per day, or ~1 gallon per plant per day.
• Summer (June 1st - August 31st):  Daily (early morning) for 15-20 minutes per day.
• Fall (September 1st - November 30th): When it begins cooling down, water daily for 10-15 minutes per day or 2-3x every week unless it is still warm-hot, then use the spring an summer recommendations instead. Feel it out depending on the current temperature and watch for thirsty bamboo. 
• Winter (December 1st - February 28th): 2-3x per week for 10 minutes each time unless it rains.  
• Before Freeze: Turn off water
• After Freeze: Turn on water to 10-15 minutes 2-3x every week

PRE & POST FREEZE WATERING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL BAMBOO:

*Turn off the water completely if freezing temperatures are predicted (to prevent system damage) and turn on again immediately after a freeze (to hydrate very dry and thirsty bamboo), and you can water every other day or 2-3x per week after a freeze.


Changing Variables for Bamboo Watering

Your bamboo’s watering needs are affected by the following factors: 

1. Temperature. Your bamboo needs more water with persistent heat and less water with persistent cold. 
2. Maturity. Bamboo needs more water when young or freshly planted and is more resistant to drought and reliant on Mother Nature rain when fully mature. 
3. Type of Irrigation System. Bamboo may need to be watered longer or shorter when using other systems.

Indicators of a Thirsty Bamboo

1. Hard-shelled-taco leaf folding
2. Leaf yellowing and drying
3. Slow bamboo growth

*Please water bamboo immediately if you are seeing these signs; if you are unsure, please text a photo to our office and we will help you further. 

Lifetime Warranty Disclaimer

As a bamboo member, you get to take advantage of the lifetime warranty if an approved irrigation system is in place; if your bamboo roots system completely dies, we will replace it under the following conditions: 

1. Bamboo did not die of dehydration 
2. Bamboo received manure compost winter application 

How Much Does The Bamboo Irrigation System Cost? 

We can build a simple low-cost and low-risk bamboo irrigation system which will water the bamboo in the most efficient way for a minimum of $300; price depends on the amount of bamboo plants and total linear footage. Please ask the office to give you an official price quote. 

Why Purchase The Bamboo Irrigation System? 

Our system is free of water waste, inconsistency, damage, and thirsty bamboo; your bamboo will receive water directly at the root systems delivered through a black, flex tube and adjustable 360° sprayer nozzles that do not crack in the sun or get clogged like soaker hoses commonly do. This system is durable, long-lasting, cost-effective and will water until your bamboo is fully established and long after that! 

Why Should I Use The Bamboo Irrigation System Instead Of Other Systems? 

By having an individual watering system for the bamboo, you can really optimize your water usage while nurturing your bamboo on a regular basis without overwatering the grass or other nearby plants who may be sharing the same irrigation system. For example, in many cases, by sharing the same grass sprinkler heads with the bamboo, you may be inclined to leave the sprinklers on for longer periods of time to ensure the bamboo is watered enough thus creating a muddy outdoor space and an expensive water bill in the process when the grass has had enough water and the bamboo has not. Sprinkler systems are also not very direct and often miss some bamboo while hitting others resulting in growth inconsistencies. Soaker hoses can easily crack in the sun and disintegrate, commonly become clogged, and they usually have a very low water pressure, so it’s hard to tell how much the bamboo has been watered.

Will I Always Need To Use The Bamboo Irrigation System? 

After the bamboo is fully established, you will notice that they can rely more on Mother Nature rain instead of The Bamboo Irrigation System. You cannot water too much, but if you water too little, you will notice what looks like very thirsty and dry bamboo (see indicators above). Our system can assist in extended dry periods even long after full establishment of your bamboo, so the system really is a great ally to your bamboo. Using our system throughout the course of your bamboo’s life will only affect them positively by making them more green, lush and abundant! If it ever freezes, just turn the water off so as to not damage the system and turn on again once the freezing weather passes to hydrate the dry bamboo. 

Should I Be Worried About Watering My Bamboo? 

Bamboo is extremely hard to kill, especially after full establishment, and Mother Nature always seems to revive a struggling plant when it needs Her rain the most, so do not overthink growing bamboo. Many people use The Bamboo Irrigation System for new bamboo plants for a minimum of 1 year and often use it long after that! Our system's long-term use is beneficial and available for your bamboo, but certainly not a requirement; although, a nicely watered bamboo is the best looking and healthiest bamboo! 

Can I Over-Water My Bamboo?

The answer is… not generally. As long as you have good drainage, this should not be an issue to consider. Our bamboo farm was completely underwater by 4 feet during Hurricane Harvey (2017) for 1 week; after the water drained, many bamboo leaves turned yellow, but after a few weeks, lushed out with foliage like they were on steroids! It is very hard to  over-water your bamboo, but please feel free to contact us if you are concerned.