Video tutorial on how to divide and propagate clumping tropical bamboo using simple tools. Push the blade of your shovel into the soil and cut a trench around the perimeter of the bamboo clump. Divide the roots in early spring before new growth begins so the divisions can establish during the warm summer season. Plunge the root clump into a bucket of water immediately. The rhizomes of running bamboo spread out very quickly and clumping bamboo stays in a tight clump. This is just the beginning. Drive the shovel into the bamboo root mass. Though many are new to cultivation, clumping bamboo are gaining recognition for their landscape value as low maintenance alternatives to the larger, more vigorous, running bamboos. If you are only looking to control the spread of bamboo plant, check out our article on controlling bamboo. Dig out every piece of rhizome starting from the perimeter inwards. Dig bamboo either very early in the spring before there’s any chance of shooting or wait for the growth period to be over late in the autumn. Start on the outside of the clump or grove and work your way inward. Removal of Clumping Bamboo. Transplanting bamboo is very hard work but the amount of work involved will be dependent on whether you want to transplant the whole plant or just take a piece of it and leave the main clump where it is. What I actually do is, once a year, or maybe twice depending on the vigour of the bamboo, is that I'll go in there and I'll dig down and I'd expose these rhizomes, all the way round the clump, severe them off and pull them out. After this, you are NOT done in your efforts to control bamboo spread. Cut bamboo is raised clear of the ground and leaned against the rest of the clump for one to two weeks until leaves turn yellow to allow full consumption of sugars by the plant. Fargesia sp This can be done with a sharp shovel, a pick and loppers. Set the clump upright (culms facing up) on the ground. Digging out this bamboo clump Sign in to follow this . Slide a shovel underneath the clump and rock it up out of the ground. Select a clump of bamboo that is overgrown or out of place. Cut about 6 to 8 inches away from the base of the bamboo so you don't sever the rhizomes. Transplanting is hard work and involves digging a large chunk of root ball out of the ground. Make sure you remove as much of the roots as possible. 1. The creeping rhizomes and roots of bamboo are virtually immune to the herbicides people normally use on unwanted plants. How do I transplant part of a large clump of bamboo? Digging out this bamboo clump. Slide the shovel beneath the roots and lift the clump out of the. Plunge the root clump into a bucket of water immediately. Followers 0. By doubravsky, February 14, 2009 in OHANA NUI - OFF TOPIC SUB-FORUM.