The following conditions must be met in order for the successful growth of your newly purchased bamboo: Sunlight, regular irrigation, good drainage and at least occasional fertilization. 
  Most tropical bamboos require at least four hours of direct sunlight on the leaves per day.   If you grow your bamboo in partial or broken sunlight the number of new shoots per year may not be as high as if it were grown in full sun.  Some bamboos will stretch or elongate their nodes in an effort to reach the sunlight.
  To make sure your bamboo gets a healthy start after it is planted, diligent watering is a must.  Your bamboo must have enough water on a daily basis for at least the first month after planting.  Even if your irrigation system covers the bamboo on a daily basis you may still need extra watering to ensure proper health for your new plant.  If you notice the leaves starting to curl it is a sign of inadequate water supply and this is the main problem reported by bamboo growers.  You are only over watering if the soil stays muddy or retains water for long periods of time.
  The most important part of your bamboo plant is under ground.  If the rhizome and root system are planted in muck or boggy conditions it will not survive.  It may be necessary to build up a small berm and plant in that area so that any excess water will drain into lower areas.  Soils which are sandy and drain well are the best.  An addition of peat moss into the planting hole will benefit the plant by providing a lower ph then the native soils of SW Florida.
  Bamboo should be fertilized with a palm fertilizer. The added micronutrients and iron are good for preventing yellowing of bamboo foliage.   Here in southwest Florida there are many sulfur/iron fertilizer mixes in both granular and liquid form that are known to work well and show favorable results.  Weed and feed fertilizers should never be used on bamboo.  Heavy mulch is helpful to place around the base of the plants.  Horse or cow manure is recommended as the best growing media.
  If you wish to thin your bamboo you can remove some of the older growth after the second year.  Make sure to take no more than 1/3 of the culms.  To trim your bamboo cut the culms near the base just above the node.  You can use a small hand saw or reciprocating saw to trim your bamboo once yearly.  It is not good to remove the newest culms unless they are growing into an unwanted area. It is also possible to remove some of the branches to reveal the canes and create a more open area in the bamboo.  If you are planning on using bamboo for a hedge, windbreak or natural screen the spacing is an important detail.  Depending on the species and density of the plant they should be planted anywhere from 3 to 5 feet of center.
 

1. Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the size of the pot.
2. Remove the plant from the pot.  If the bamboo does not slide out easily you may be required to cut the pot off the roots of the plant.
3. If the roots have formed tightly into the shape of the pot you will need to score the roots with a knife to discourage them from growing in a circular pattern.  Make sure to avoid any areas with new growth.
4. Place the plant in the hole so the pot soil is slightly below the level of the existing soil.
5. Backfill the hole with the existing soil mixed with a rich topsoil or a manure compost. It is important to make sure there are no pockets of air around the root ball.
6. Follow the watering and mulching directions listed above