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The 8 Best Fertilizers For Bamboo of 2023

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If only taking nutrients from the soil, it is difficult for plants to grow as much as possible, and bamboo is no exception. No matter what method you use to grow bamboo, adding fertility to the growing medium is still a step not to be missed.

So, to complete this task, you cannot lack fertilizer. If you feel overwhelmed by the many products available on the market, you can refer to the best fertilizer for bamboo below from our prime experts.

Let’s get right into the details!

Our Top Picks

  1. Best for Growing Stage: Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer
  2. Best for Lucky Bamboo: Super Green Fertilizer
  3. Best for A Stable pH: Scotts Continuous Release Plant Food
  4. Best for Formulas: Osmocote Smart-Release
  5. Best for Root Booster: General Organic BioRoot GH5322
  6. Best for Budget: Schultz All Purpose 10-15-10
  7. Best for Performance: Real Growers Recharge
  8. Best for Microorganisms: Miracle-Gro 3001910

Best for Growing Stage: Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer

Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer
  • Brand: Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers
  • Fertilizer Analysis (N-P-K): 12-00
  • Form: Powder

Product highlights

In bamboo and other plants, nitrogen acts both as a structural substance and participates in metabolism and energy production. Understanding the importance of this component, Down to Earth Fertilizer provides a high nitrogen amount that helps my plants grow big and green, especially vegetable growth.

Fertilizer from the brand Down To Earth All Natural has a trace element ratio of 12-0-0. This ratio means you have an organic bamboo fertilizer that provides a rich amount of nitrogen, but does not have any phosphorus or potassium. I realized that this Down to Earth Blood Meal fertilizer might not be suitable for some types of plants, such as bamboo, fruiting, or flowering plants, because it lacks two remaining nutrients.

One of the reasons that I prefer to choose this product is because this is an organic fertilizer, so its ingredients are natural and not existing chemicals or additives that are synthesized to make sure my plants can grow healthy after use.

Pros

  • Traditional organic fertilizers.
  • Suitable for fruiting or flowering plants.
  • Rich in Nitrogen.
  • Sustainable.

Cons

  • Not suitable for some plants
  • Not contain phosphorus or potassium

Bottom line

If you want to stimulate the new growth of bamboo or increase the yield of vegetables and fruit trees, do not ignore high-nitrogen fertilizers such as Down To earth blood meal. 

Best for Lucky Bamboo: Super Green Fertilizer

Super Green Fertilizer
  • Brand: LuckyBamboo
  • Fertilizer Analysis (N-P-K): 12-0-0
  • Form: Liquid

Product highlights

Super Green is an ideal fertilizer for bamboo that you should choose because of its good water solubility and abundant NPK to prevent stunting and underdevelopment due to a lack of nutrients.

Super Green might help me to control the ratio between water and fertilizer thanks to dividing the fertilizer into small tubes, so you can distribute the dose evenly. Besides that, this liquid fertilizer has the benefit of supplying nutrients that match plant demands. In addition, the application may be distributed more uniformly, and the salt concentration can be set to meet the needs of the plants.

This product is also friendly to the environment because it is not made from synthetic chemicals, so the Super Green fertilizer will be safe for your bamboo plants, as well as your living space.

Pros

  • Easy to use.
  • Cheap price
  • Powerful activity
  • Avoid the yellowing of bamboo leaves

Cons

  • May cause leaf burns because of the intense concentration
  • Small size

Bottom line

Easy to use, easy to maintain, high efficiency, low price—the above advantages are more than enough for you to choose Super Green to care for your bamboo.

Best for A Stable pH: Scotts Continuous Release Plant Food

Scotts Continuous Release Plant Food
  • Brand: Scotts
  • Fertilizer Analysis (N-P-K): 11-7-7
  • Form: Powder

Product’s highlights

Scotts Continuous Plant Food is a specific fertilizer for my bamboo because it is an acid-loving plant. Besides that, this product is also ideal for evergreens, dogwoods, hydrangeas, magnolias, and many other acid-loving plants. Furthermore, I see that this Scotts fertilizer is not like other fertilizers that lack acidifying elements. In contrast, the product contains 2.1% sulfur, which effectively reduces alkalinity.

The perfect ratio of elements N-P-K in the Scotts product is also a remarkable advantage. 11 – 7- 7 ratio is an ideal ratio balance for bamboo because it highlights the nitrogen composition of bamboo plants, which supports their growth and keeps them healthy. In addition, 7% of phosphorus is also important for its root development, and potassium helps the plant resist drought or extreme temperature issues.

I recommend feeding your bamboo for two months to encourage vigorous root growth and lush foliage. The ingredients of this Scotts fertilizer are really safe, so I do not worry that my bamboo will be burned when I use it.

Pros

  • Acidic
  • Used in many ways.
  • Encourage root and foliage growth.
  • Easy to use.
  • High level of NPK ratio.

Cons

  • Provide nutrition for two months.

Bottom line

Bamboo needs nitrogen to grow and stay green. With the addition of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the fertilizer from the Scotts brand is an ideal choice not only for bamboo but also for other flowers and shrubs.

Best for Formulas: Osmocote Smart-Release

Osmocote Smart-Release
  • Brand: Osmocote
  • Fertilizer Analysis( N-P-K): 15-9-12
  • Form: Powder

Product highlights

When I research on Amazon to find a suitable fertilizer for my bamboo, I see that the Osmocote Smart Release product has one of the most impressive ratings of the bamboo fertilizer formulas available recently. It includes 11 essential nutrients that are released with changes in temperature. Some nutrients are released during active growing periods when temperatures are higher.

Specifically, it contains a large amount of NPK, and the manufacturer also adds a large number of other micronutrients to the product. These include 1.3% Magnesium, 6% Sulfur in synthetic form, 0.06% Manganese, and 0.46% Iron. Especially, this is also a product with high Nitrogen up to 15%, so it supports the overall health and thrives of my bamboo, as well as other plants.

Phosphorus and Potassium also help my bamboo reduce the nitrate content and can deal with drought issues and even resistance to pests and diseases. I think that this Osmocote fertilizer is not only for bamboo but also for crops, you will surely be satisfied with the yield.

Pros

  • Diverse nutrients.
  • Efficient operation.
  • Do not burn leaves.
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Microplastics affect the environment.
  • Up to 6 months to feed up

Bottom line

Osmocote has a genuinely unique formula packed with up to 11 essential nutrients. Products with the ability to provide adequate nutrients for plants within 6 months are an option worth considering.

Best for Root Booster: General Organic BioRoot GH5322

  • Brand: General Hydroponics
  • Fertilizer Analysis: 1-1-1
  • Form: Liquid

Product highlights

One of my favorite products is General Organics GH5322 a liquid fertilizer product that enhances a healthy root system to ensure for my bamboo growth. BioRoot provides key ingredients to support my other seedlings, cuttings, and vegetative plants. It also contains a unique combination of plant-derived nutrients, sea kelp, mined minerals, and mined mineral derivatives.

General Organics GH5322 formula focuses on developing a healthy root system. It is most evident in the 1:1:1 ratio and the blend of plant-based substances with essential minerals. This fertilizer is intended to help young roots with the foundation they require to thrive.

Besides, BioRoot may be used with any garden soil, potting mix, or other growth media. Therefore, you only need to own the GH5322 to get a comprehensive solution for your entire garden.

Pros

  • Nutrients of plant origin.
  • Suitable for young plants.
  • Stimulate root growth.
  • Easy to use.
  • Large capacity.

Cons

  • Unstable when used with hydroponic plants.

Bottom line

With its ability to stimulate root growth, GH5322 is an excellent fertilizer to use in young roots. With this unique blend, GH5322 is very suitable for seedlings, cuttings, and especially bamboo in the early stages, where a robust root system is required.

Best for Budget: Schultz All Purpose 10-15-10

  • Brand: Schultz
  • Fertilizer Analysis: 10-15-10
  • Form: Liquid

Product highlights

The Schultz All Purpose is ideal plant food for my bamboo, it is suitable for all flowers tomatoes roses vegetable fruits plants, shrubs annuals perennials, and houseplants. After using it for a few months, I have to realize that this plant food is effective for my bamboo when I see it stays green and is growing healthy.

The key to the popularity of the Schultz brand over the decades is the 7 drops formula. Specifically, to prepare a standard nutrient solution, you only need to add these 7 drops of Schultz All Purpose 10-15-10 Plant Food to a liter of water in early spring and summer. As the result, I have lush green bamboo when combined with the right light conditions. I highly recommend Schultz All Purpose Liquid Plant Food.

With a 10-15-10 recipe and a separate brewing principle, I do not worry my bamboo will not experience overnutrition. Instead, the steady and balanced amount of nutrients Schultz plant food provides will improve my bamboo day by day, helping it to grow continuously and sustainably. And once you see the magic that Schultz brings, I believe that you certainly will not want to change the fertilizer.

Pros

  • Low price
  • Easy to use liquid form.
  • Ideal NPK
  • 7-drops formula.

Cons

  • Need to adjust the dosage, and avoid over-fertilizing bamboo

Bottom line

Schultz All Purpose 10-15-10 bamboo plant Food is worth a try if you are looking to add more Phosphorus, Potassium to your bamboo without burning the plants or excess nutrients too much.

Best for Performance: Real Growers Recharge

  • Brand: Real Growers
  • Fertilizer Analysis: Amino acids, carbohydrates, and mycorrhizae
  • Form: Powder

Product highlights

The Real Growers Recharge is a fantastic fertilizer I want to suggest because of its effective performance with ingredients containing billions of beneficial microbes. These living microbes play an essential role in renovating the degraded soil and restoring the soil with lost organic nutrients.

From there, this product creates a nutrient-rich soil environment that can be available for a long time for your bamboo. Not only that, but Real Growers Recharge fertilizer also contains Mycorrhizae and Trichoderma fungi and a variety of bacteria.

In particular, the fungus Mycorrhizae will help grow to protect plants naturally and provide water and nutrients to the root system. Trichoderma fungi are active organisms in decomposing organic matter in the soil, making it easier for plants to absorb.

This product also contains high-quality Ascophyllum kelp extract. When combined, the effect Real Growers Recharge brings is impressive: I can see the difference in my plants every week with slow release.

Pros

  • Safe organic fertilizer.
  • Contain many beneficial fungi and bacteria.
  • Contain premium kelp extract.
  • Stimulate plant growth.
  • Suitable for a variety of plants 

Cons

  • The zip bag design is challenging to store in a grass family.

Bottom line

You should buy a perfect organic fertilizer like Real Growers Recharge. Use the product and observe the dramatic changes Recharge can bring to your bamboo. 

Best for Microorganisms: Miracle-Gro 3001910

  • Brand: Miracle-Gro
  • Fertilizer Analysis: 10-10-10
  • Form: Liquid

Product highlights

It will be a mistake if my list of the best fertilizers for bamboo lacks products from Miracle-Gro. This brand offers a wide range of products for many different types of plants, including bamboo. I appreciated the purpose of this fertilizer which is robust growth for bamboo in support of root strength and development.

To do this, the product contains essential nutrients from kelp, meal, bone, etc. These microorganisms play a crucial role in breaking down inorganic ingredients into nutrients beneficial, and easy to absorb. This product also has vital micronutrients to help my bamboo grow stronger and more productive.

The product’s main ingredient is liquid kelp Ascophyllum Nodosum- a natural product that has long been known for its benefits to plants and contains many plant hormones so when I used this one, I imagine it as if I am directly adding hormones to the plant.

For seedlings, it will play a significant part in stimulating growth. With mature plants, kelp can increase and stabilize the chlorophyll in the plant, giving bamboo a greener leaf color.

Pros

  • Rich in nutrients
  • Contains many important micronutrients.
  • Support root growth.
  • The ingredient list includes kelp and bones.

Cons

  • Quite difficult to calculate the exact amount of fertilizer the plant requires.

Bottom line

Miracle-Gro 3001910 with microbial and essential nutrients such as kelp, feather meal, and bone meal that will help your bamboo growth. Therefore, when choosing to buy fertilizer for bamboo, do not forget to consider this option.

What Is The Best Fertilizer For Bamboo?

Knowing exactly what your bamboo requires is the best way to keep it growing and healthy. There are many types of effective fertilizers for bamboo. Although they have the same plant origin, the nutritional requirements of outdoor and indoor bamboo are different. So you need to understand exactly what bamboo needs and provide it immediately.

The main action necessary for the growth of bamboo is to balance the NPK, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, indicating that it meets the own needs of each type. The correct NPK ratio can help all the bamboo plants grow more vigorously and with lusher leaves, as well as improve the soil.

The perfect fertilizer should have an N, P, or K content below 5% minimum. If it is lower, the product can only be considered a mineral fertilizer.

Buying Guide

How to choose the best fertilizer based on different fertilizers, crop types, and more.

Indoor Bamboo

Ideal fertilizers for indoor or “lucky” bamboo are compost or organic manure. Besides that, be careful to give your lucky bamboo water soluble liquid fertilizers if it grows in a water medium.

For healthy growth, indoor bamboo requires only a 2-2-2 NPK ratio.

Outdoor Bamboo

Composted manure is a good fertilizer for outdoor bamboo since it is seed-free. Spread it out approximately 4 inches thick to allow nitrogen to be transformed and utilized for the rest of the year. The ideal time to spread out fertilizer is in late fall every year.

The recommended NPK for large bags of outdoor bamboo fertilizer is 20-5-5 or similar.

Fertilizer Form

With bamboo, you will have the two most common fertilizer options: powder and liquid. Both fertilizers are in concentrated form. To use, you need to mix with water or other substances to form a nutritious mixture.

Usually, liquid fertilizers are easier to use and prepare. In particular, some brands also divide fertilizer into small tubes to help you not have difficulty in preparing the solution according to the ratio twice a year.

Fertilizer Solubility

For fertilizers that are slow to digest and dissolve, you should use them to fertilize the soil before planting bamboo. Besides, you also need to pay attention to the water solubility of the fertilizer to have a suitable fertilizer. For example, you cannot spray fertilizer with an insoluble powdered fertilizer sample.

Last but not least, in flooded conditions, you should not apply SO4–based fertilizers because the above-based nutrients in the flooded environment are easy to produce H2S, which is harmful to plants.

Conclusion

Hopefully, the list of the top 8 best fertilizers for bamboo above has helped you complete the first step of the process of adding nutrients to your plants. After choosing an ideal product, you also need to fertilize bamboo correctly to exploit the full effect of the fertilizer.

Hopefully, The Swipe Garden article will be beneficial to you in choosing a suitable fertilizer for your bamboo.

FAQs

  1. <strong>When to fertilize bamboo?</strong>

    Fertilizing your bamboo twice a year is appropriate. A reasonable time is the first time in early spring, and the second time in the summer. This period is also the primary growing season for bamboo.

  2. <strong>Are coffee grounds good for bamboo plants?</strong>

    It is not good if you do not apply coffee grounds properly to bamboo. Coffee contains caffeine and is not suitable for bamboo. However, if combined with compost properly, coffee grounds can safely use for bamboo.

  3. <strong>How often should I water bamboo?</strong>

    Normally water the bamboo once a week, but you should water it twice a week for hot and windy weather. Make sure the soil is dry before watering.

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Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence is the CEO of Swipe Garden. Over 10 years in the writing and passion for gardening, she brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to the world of gardening. Kelly Lawrence has cultivated a community of plant lovers, making gardening accessible and enjoyable for all.