Spring and winter are the best times of year to prune and clean out your bamboo clump. In winter, the stems produced in autumn have become hard and so it’s less likely the stem will fall back when cut to height. The new shoots typically won’t have emerged from the ground just yet.

How to prune your bamboo plant

So it’s an opportune time to prune your bamboo. Cut the plant anywhere you like, we recommend choosing a spot just above a node. This is because if you cut up above the node, the stem will die down to the node anyway, so if you cut it at the node you can avoid a pretty unsightly plant. 

The nodal area

The nodal area is where the branches, and then later the leaves will grow from. For smaller, more delicate varieties, you will only require a pair of secateurs and/or loppers to maintain the clump. 

Select the older stems and remove them at the ground level. These will be the smaller, thinner stems that live closest to the centre, that are fully set with their foliage. It may be necessary to cut a path into that area of the clump to gain access to them. 

If you want a less “open” look, then only cut the upper parts of each stem that is leaning out. Or you can choose a number of the taller stems and cut them down in height to then force growth out from the lower nodes of those stems. 

This will create a low, thick foliage screen, without reducing the height. The same principle applies for the larger varieties, although bigger equipment will be required.

Fertilise in spring, especially

Spring is also the best time to fertilise. There are many good products on the market. Always look for something that is properly formulated and is high in the N (Nitrogen) element — at least 10% or more. 

Apply the fertiliser under the mulch, then water it thoroughly. The foliage that has been removed during the pruning process, can be arranged at the base of the clump to be used as mulch if desired.