Bamboo: placement and planting
Although most people plan where to plant their bamboo, you should bear in mind that most large bamboos grow quicker in full sun. They must be given enough water, fertilizer, and protection from weeds. Smaller plants will benefit from a windscreen and light shade when first planted as well. Actually the Fargesias and most Thamnocalamus are happier when they are in shade during the hottest part of a day. Most bamboos can be spread by their underground rhizomes and this must be viewed when planting.
Most bamboos like a moderately acidic loamy soil. If your soil is very heavy you can add organic material. The easiest thing is to mulch very heavily soil where the bamboo will be planted, and let the earthworms do their work. Bamboo is a forest plant and does well if mulch is kept over the roots and rhizomes. You shouldn’t rake or sweep up the bamboo leaves from under the tree, as they keep the soil soft, and damp, and recycle quartz and other natural chemicals necessary to the plant. Nearly any organic material will be good as mulch. Grass is one of the best, as it contains nitrogen and silica. Made at home or sold compost is great. Hay is a good mulch also but it is often a source of weed seeds, so that can be a problem in the future. Any kind of dung is good, unless it is too hot.