Description
Cultivation
Fountain bamboo is not difficult to manage, there are just a few things you need to look out for when growing and caring for your plant. One important point to take note of; this plant does not tolerate hot weather, so it shouldn’t be exposed to too much hot sun at high noon during summer.
Another potential issue is that this bamboo plant can’t stand cold, dry winds, hence it should be sheltered and protected adequately for it to thrive well. You should also keep a lookout for slugs in rainy weather as they can damage the shoots of your plant.
As this bamboo plant has very low maintenance requirements, all you will need to do is tidy it up in spring or autumn by cutting down the weak or damaged cane as it can grow very dense.
Planting conditions for Fargesia Nitida ‘Black Pearl’
Fountain bamboo can be planted at any time of the year but certain conditions have to be met for your fountain bamboo to grow successfully.
Soil: Fountain bamboo can grow in loamy, sandy and clay soil as long as it is well watered. This bamboo likes moist, well-drained soil that is either acidic, alkaline or neutral.
Light: It can grow in full sun, full shade or partial shade and prefers south, east, or west-facing positions.
Water: Fountain bamboo likes a lot of water but should not be overwatered.
Fertiliser: You can fertilise your bamboo with high nitrogen feed in early spring to promote growth and in summer.
Can you plant Fargesia Nitida ‘Black Pearl’ in a pot?
Not only does fountain bamboo do well in pots and large containers but it even looks terrific especially when planted on a shaded terrace or porch. Remember to weed from around the planting site. Also, to ensure the quality of your soil mix soil and fertiliser in a 50:50 ratio to serve as the soil.
Note that if you are planting in summer, your plant should be watered regularly in the first couple of months If you are planting in summer make sure your plant is frequently watered well in the first couple of months and remember that it does not need a lot of water if you plant in autumn.
Propagation of Fargesia Nitida ‘Black Pearl’
This plant can be propagated by division in autumn or by taking cuttings of sections of young rhizomes in spring. The seeds can also be sowed in spring or autumn and take 3-6 months to germinate.
Fargesia nitida Black Pearl – Black Stem Umbrella Bamboo
The Fargesia nitida ‘Black Pearl’ is a magnificent form of clumping Umbrella Bamboo with plenty of lush dense foliage and purple-tinted near black coloured canes.
Easy to grow producing masses of robust stems and cascading lush green foliage this Fargesia is also known as the Umbrella or fountain bamboo due to the graceful appearance of the mature plants that will display upright canes held vertically that then arch over at the top to give the appearance of a fountain. This effect enhanced by the appearance of neat foliage.
The canes themselves can vary in colour from a fresh green to a deep purple-black the stems can be so black that it is sometimes mistaken for a Phyllostachys nigra Black bamboo but Fargesia nitida ‘Black Pearl’ is a much tamer plant that will usually only grow around 3 to 4 metres high in a tight clump.
This bamboo is also grown to great effect in a roomy container on a shady patio or courtyard creating a graceful oriental look and still reach 2-3 metres in height within a few years.
