Pot-bound bamboo

If its a plastic pot, a stanley knife and sweat might be the only answer. If its not plastic, smash the pot. Sorry, but I've been there ...

Thanks Mims. I think i'll have to resort to smashing the pot. Just been outside and had another go at it. I was determined that i wouldn't lose the pot 'cos my son bought it me when i started gardening and loving it. However, I don't think he'll notice if I get a replacement one. If you've had this problem too, and you are a pro, then I guess that solves it for me.
A new bamboo would be pretty expensive. I saw a similar sized one recently for £39!

Try not watering it for a while and the contents will shrink a bit, then one member of the family on the pot and the other on the bamboo just might save the pot!

Thanks Telme, I would never have thought of that. I'll give it a go.

is the neck of the pot wider than the rest of the pot or is like an alibaba type. if the neck is narrower then the only option is to break the pot :o(

No it's not an ali baba pot SBG, but I think I will eventually have to smash the pot anyway although I'll try Telme's idea first. Thankyou for answering.