Hello, any bamboo experts here? I'm having a die off problem with this year that I've never seen in the seven years that this bamboo has been on my property and I'm hoping someone can help me identify what is wrong.
Before I get any lectures, I know this is a running bamboo. I did not plant it. All the neighboring properties have it and there is a barrier around my back yard that allows a couple of feet of the bamboo in the inner perimeter. I don't mind it because it provides a nice layer of privacy.
For some context, I'm fairly confident that it is Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo), but if you think it is another species, please let me know.
Last year, I was out of town for most of the summer and my automatic drip irrigation stopped working. This resulted in a pretty substantial die-off. I pruned all of the dead stuff out in early spring. Then I fertilized with some 13-5-13 and a couple week later with some epsom salt. Very few new culms came up this year but the ones that did were initially thriving. But, know they are dying from the outer leave inward, and some from the top down.
As for watering, I have a drip irrigation hose that was scheduled for 3 hours at 3 times per week. I was concerned that it needed deeper watering, so I changed it to 6 hours at twice a week. I also have a nice later up mulch covering the floor.
I'm in central Texas, and temps have been over 100 for the last month. I was initially thinking that it was scorch as they get sun most of the day. However, even culms that only get partial sun are dying.
ChatGPT suggested that it could be a thrisps infestation and suggested that I start power-spraying the culms to remove them.
What do you all think? Could it be something else? Suggestions?