planting bamboo in stock tanks

Stock tanks can be a great option for planting bamboo: they're durable and cheap. However, during the winter and summer, they can be harsh on bamboo rhizomes, which tend to hit the inside and wrap around the container. Therefore a little insulation will help.

Materials:
-Duct tape
-XPS Insulation board: 1/4" or 1/2" thick, comes in 4' x 8' pieces and can be found at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
-21" x 60 mil Rhizome Barrier can be purchased from us here. It takes 15' for a 6' container and 11' for a 4' container
-Drill & 1" drillbit

1. Take XPS Styrofoam insulation and cut into strips as show in the pictures.
2. Use duct tape to attach the strips all the way around.
3. Get barrier from us - we have this custom made specifically for this purpose. I don't know anywhere else it's available. Get it here.
4. Cut a 15' section of barrier and install inside, using duct tape to hold in place
5. Fill the tank with a good bark-based potting mix to the level of the bottom of the root balls so that the top of the root ball is about 2" below the lip of the container.
6. Place bamboo root balls in after teasing out any pot-bound rhizomes, making sure to turn them in such a way to be straight.
7. Fill more potting mix around the root balls, firmly pressing down and even walking on it, but not stomping.
8. Place time-released synthetic fertilizer on top and, optionally, mulch.
9. DON'T FORGET to drill extra drain holes on the bottom of at least one visible side where the bottom and side metal seams come together. The hole should be 3/4" to 1" big and should go all the way through the plastic barrier. Check to make sure everything drains well.
10. Check the drain holes a few times a year to see if any rhizomes are trying to escape. If found, simply cut them with a pair of pruners.