What is a green way to kill bamboo roots?

Question

I have removed a "colony" of bamboo between my neighbor and I and we want to make sure it does not return. Someone suggested vinegar???? Is that true? What else might work and be safe for kids, pets and the environment?

Answer 1

lmao..i'm loving these answers. i was thinking myself...isn't this question an oxymoron...lol

i also recommend feeding them to pandas.

Answer 2

I read this in a gardening book once...

Mow the area every single day...for this year, and every day that you see green shoots after this year.....

if the roots never get a chance to put out leaves, they can't make food for themselves......

the author of the book- who went by the title Mrs. Greenthumbs got rid of a 60 yr old bed of bamboo that way....can't remember the title of the book she talked about it in tho.

Answer 3

Move.

Answer 4

Boiling water and vinegar, and lots of it.

Answer 5

Ya roundup isn't very "green" but it will certainly work. Actually just mowing it and kicking the shoots over will do it after awhile. The vinegar MIGHT work in changing the pH enough to hurt it, don't know. You really dont need to dig up the rhizomes, if the shoots arent allowed to grow the rhizome will die off from malnutrition.

Just one more thing, Not ALL bamboo is running bamboo and invasive. there are hundreds of non-invasive clumping bamboo that make excellent neighbors. Bamboo gets its bad reputation from people not knowing enough about it and planting the wrong species for their application

Answer 6

I don't think there is a green way besides digging up the roots.  Bamboo is nearly impossible to kill.  It is the most invasive thing I have ever seen. If one has never had bamboo, they have no idea how bad it is.   What may work for you is to cut each stalk down and pour roundup herbicide solution in stalk as soon as you cut it, don't wait a minute before pouring as the bamboo will seal its self off.  Pour herbicide in the stock immediately. Make sure it is all cut down.  After about 1 week I would start digging up roots.  Monitor area well for new shoots coming up.  

Good Luck

Answer 7

Feed them to pandas.