BAMBOO

MALLYMAL · Post by **MALLYMAL** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:52 pm

Our neighbours are lovely, but by the size of their newly installed sat dish, must be planning to launch a rocket to Mars. I fancy growing some bamboo in pots to screen it a little.

As we are only able to visit our gaff a few times a year, whatver we grow won't be watered very often. Anyone know if bamboo will tolerate this? Seems to grow wild on the beach in places - and obviously doesn't get watered often there.

Also saw info from other gardeners re bougainvillea, geraniums etc - cheers 4 that!

Percy Thrower · Post by **Percy Thrower** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:50 am

Mallymal,

Bougainvillea is a great screen but als I have found that it does need a fair bit of watering. I have tried severaly times to grow one in a sunny south facing poistion only for it to wither and die whene we went home. I have a had some success with geraniums. The best option is to grow some of the laurel type hedging shrubs you see everywhere. they are hardy, quick growing and will tolerate vigorous pruning - idela for screens where you wnat only to hide a specific object as you do.

PT

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:49 am

I think you will find that bamboo will readily take and grow like wildfire, doesn't seem to need any attention at all.

We had some building work done between our neighbours wall and our driveway last year, the bamboo just came from no where and has now grown to about 8' tall. does make a very good screen.

Unfortunately the satalite dishes needed in Portugal to pick up the stations are huge, not like the neat little ones we have in the UK.

piglet · Post by **piglet** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:16 pm

Hi

Just a word of warning on Bamboos. They send out runners along way from the plant that can do all sorts of damage. I planted one in the ground in the UK...wish I had not.

Although we think we now have killed off the main plant the runners are still appearing. We wonder where they are going to pop up next

We have several in pots and they do look nice....but will need some water.

Lesley re Borganvilla I was told by a guy in Cyprus that you must not water it!!

carolyn · Post by **carolyn** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 1:30 pm

We are also interested in suitable plants for growing in pots - that do not need too much watering. From the above posts sounds like bamboo is a definite possibility - does anyone have any other suggestions? Also can anyone recommend which of the local 'garden centres' would be good places to buy?
Thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:10 pm

Hi Carolyn

Sorry I did not make myself clear re the Bamboo. I now grow them in pots in the UK, and I water. They shrivel up if you dont.

RE Pots in Portugal not sure what will grow yet. All I know for sure is you buy soil based compost..not peat based as peat dries out very quickly. And you do not plant direct into the terrocotta pots. Plant into plastic flowerpots then insert.
This gives protection from the sun as Terrocota dries out and then takes moisture from the earth in the Pot.

I will probably grow a lot of Cacti type succulent plants many have beautiful flowers.

Not sure re the Bourganviias. I have conflicting advice.

I am going to try and find some garden centres off the "beaten track" there is one the other side of Rogil...when I ahve time I am going to explore. There is also one near Silves I think....but lots along the N125 if you are not adventurous.

Please keep in touch with disasters and success stories. If any one comes across a decent gardening book on mediterranean plants please let us all know

Kind Regards
Piglet

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:33 pm

Hi piglet, that is interesting about the bougainvillea not needing to be watered, is that right?? I agree with you about bamboo, it has just popped up everywhere since we stopped building, mainly from our neighbours side, it does make a good screen but you do have to watch it.

There is a garden centre on the old Silves to Messines road which is meant to be good, also one on the road to the Monchique hills. If you want flowers then the little one on the left just before the Algarve shopping centre is very good value for money. Havn't tried the one in Porches or the one in Lagoa yet.

Hope everything is going well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:41 pm

Hi Lesley

Not sure about the "B" and water. Thats just what I was told....well I will soon be able to put his theory to the test

Cant wait to go to the garden centres

Piglet

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:43 pm

P.S

I hope your bamboo is nowhere near that calcada????

Pigs....I jest not

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:09 am

Hi pigs, no the bamboo is the otherside of a wall before you get to the new calçada, but will keep an eye on it, don't want it lifting the new driveway!!

When are you out again next?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:38 pm

Hi Lesley

Not until the 17th April....and countin'

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:51 pm

Thats a shame we will miss you again, we are out 11th - 15th April.
we must try and be out at the same time and meet up for a drink.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:26 am

Hi Lesley

If god is on our side...we will be there for months at a time shortly

Shall we hit the garden centres...and have a day out? Leave the lads at home...my hubby loses interest in these things, very quickly.

Cant wait to start planning the garden. So lots of research in to what will grow, first.
We are situated on a headland and there is sea to 3 sides of us, so will need to evaluate predominant wind direction, sun and a general recky of local gardens to see what grows best etc. Good excuse to meet some neighbours... before I buy anything.

However, if water is still very short, garden will probably have to wait a while

Piglet

Guest 3 · Post by **Guest 3** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:25 pm

It is going rain real soon!

Littlelegs · Post by **Littlelegs** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 1:56 pm

Lesley Jean wrote: Hi piglet, that is interesting about the bougainvillea not needing to be watered, is that right?? I agree with you about bamboo, it has just popped up everywhere since we stopped building, mainly from our neighbours side, it does make a good screen but you do have to watch it.

There is a garden centre on the old Silves to Messines road which is meant to be good, also one on the road to the Monchique hills. If you want flowers then the little one on the left just before the Algarve shopping centre is very good value for money. Havn't tried the one in Porches or the one in Lagoa yet.

Hope everything is going well.

Have you tried the garden centre on the old road to Silves from Lagoa, if you or anyone else have I would be interested to know if any good.

Littlelegs

BAMBOO

BAMBOO

Screen

Bamboo