Can I revive my bamboo plants?
Q
I have six large bamboos in pots and they are looking sad with pale leaves. Are they dormant after winter, but if not, what should I do? Colin Mace, Rotherham, South Yorks
A
There are a number of varieties of bamboo and not all are evergreen, so although – like all plants – growth will cease in winter, the dormancy will not be as noticeable as it is for deciduous plants.
It sounds as though your plants have started to become pot-bound and are struggling to get enough water and nutrients to sustain healthy growth.
You could think about dividing and repotting them, which means giving them a boost of fresh compost and more root space. If this isn’t possible, make sure the compost is given a good soaking (stand it in a bucket of water) then top dress with fresh compost mixed with a granular fertiliser.
Supplement the controlled-release fertiliser by feeding the plants weekly with a liquid food and hopefully it won’t be long until you see new bright-green leaves starting to grow.