The difference between tracing and non tracing bamboos, mainly fargesias, comes from the way they develop their rhizomes.
The tracing bamboos have their rhizomes growing horizontally in any direction while those of the fargesias grow in V, tightened at the base but splayed in height (like a bulb would).
The size of bamboos can vary from 2 to 5 m depending on the species.
Cultivation needs of bamboos
Bamboos appreciate an ordinary and not too heavy soil: the lighter the soil, the more the bamboos grow.
Contrary to what we think, they are not water plants. Watering is useful only when it is hot.
There are two types of fargesias: those that prefer shade and those that prefer sun. If you place sun bamboos in the shade, they will still grow. But if you place shade bamboos in full sun, they will not resist.
Multiplying bamboo
The division of bamboo is never done in spring; only in winter, from December to March.
Maintenance of bamboo
No need to add fertilizer. The grass brings nitrogen naturally, a mulching of lawn mowing (the first mowing of spring and the last one of summer) of 8 cm thickness is enough to feed them, while preventing the development of weeds.
Bamboo is a grass; if you feed it too much, it will grow but become fragile at the thatch level. It can break or even rot.
The life span of bamboo
It is programmed in their genes: for a given species, whether they are one year old or 100 years old, whatever the continent where they are, all die at the same time, having previously flowered and gone to seed to reproduce.
