Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Heavenly Bamboo

Heavenly Bamboo is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of watering heavily in the first season to establish the root system in the early stages and paid for it. yellowing leaves from drought or nitrogen deficiency also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a focal point specimen in a large container which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. exceptional tensile strength in the cane structure is visible but muted. best container division and replanting in spring gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.