Soil

Charcoal from bamboo

A well drained soil is really important for growing bamboo. An exception amongst running bamboo is Phyllostachys purpera, which has rhizome adapted to growing in soggy conditions. Some clumping species will take up more water than they need. These species will not establish in water logged situations, but planted on mounds they will establish over a few years, then opportunistically suck in far more water than required for healthy growth. Excessive water will most likely, adversely affect the strength of the timber, but produces more biomass. If the climate suits the growth of large clumping species, they can be grown to drain wet areas.

So, in most cases, a well drained soil is really important for growing bamboo.

Fertility of the soil has a marked affect on productivity.

In most cases drainage and fertility can be improved.

Drainage

Mounding, down hill ripping, surface drains.

Fertility

The addition of, nutrient charged, biochar to the soil should be seen as soil infrastructure. Expensive up front, but once in place and stabilized, gives long term. Less fertilizer is required. Char is a buffer between the bamboo and adversity caused by sudden changes in growing conditions, its vast surface area a store house of nutrient and microbiological activity.