Have you ever wanted to know how to grow bamboo?
Despite its delicate nature (it doesn’t thrive in either scorching or freezing temperatures), this low-maintenance plant has the potential to be a stunning addition to your garden.
Continue reading this article to understand the many species of bamboo, how to grow this plant, and what maintenance is required after it has reached its full potential.
Types of bamboo:
Mostly, bamboos may be divided into two broad classes: running and clumping types.
Clumping bamboo
This kind of bamboo is characterized by its tendency to grow in dense clumps rather than spreading across broad regions.
We suggest clumping bamboo if you want a plant that doesn’t spread.
Running bamboo
Without adequate care, running bamboo quickly becomes a massive invasion.
Rhizomes, which grow below ground and send up new shoots above ground, are responsible for its spread.
Rhizomes can go more than 100 feet before they start to grow.
Where can you plant bamboo?
Bamboo may be planted as a modern hedge, at the rear of a border for added height, as a lawn centerpiece, against a fence or wall for privacy, or any of many other uses.
The conditions for growing bamboo are quite flexible. Some dwarf types are well-suited to big containers, whereas ‘running bamboos’ benefit from being contained lest they spread uncontrollably.
Bamboo needs full or partial sunlight and somewhat damp but not soggy soil to maximize its growth.
Avoid planting bamboo near ponds since it cannot thrive under such conditions.
When to plant bamboo?
Bamboo is a grass that grows best in warm weather, so it’s best to plant it when it’s warm, and the plants are growing.
Plant when you’d plant zinnia, portulaca, and coleus.
How to grow bamboo from seeds:
- Before you plant the seeds, wash them and let them dry in the sun.
- To end their dormancy, the seeds must be soaked in clean water for six to twelve hours after drying.
- Ten to twenty minutes before planting the seeds, drain the water.
- Plant seeds on soil-filled plastic pallets intended for seed growth. Topsoil should be used to fill the pots, and the soil should be left loosely packed.
- One to two-inch deep holes should be drilled into the middle of each planting tray.
- Place a single seed in each hole, then cover it with soil.
- Moisten the soil immediately, and don’t forget to water the plants frequently.
- Three to four months later, transplant the seedlings to individual pots or plastic bags. Because the rhizomes have not yet developed, most bamboo species will not be robust enough to transplant until this time.
How to grow bamboo cuttings?
- Cut multiple 10-inch bamboo segments with at least two nodes (the terminal joint of a bamboo segment) and two internodes (the segments between nodes) at a 45-degree angle.
- Wax the cut ends of the bamboo and soak them in water, then let them sit in strong light for a few weeks.
- Change the water every other day.
- Once the roots on your bamboo cuttings reach 2 inches, it’s time to transplant them to a container.
- Put some potting soil in the container and put the bamboo cutting in the ground.
- Tie a tiny stick to the cutting to keep the young bamboo from falling over.
How to grow bamboo rhizomes
Propagating new bamboo plants from existing rhizomes is easiest in the colder months leading up to spring.
March or early April is ideal for dividing hardy kinds, while May or early June is better for separating tropical ones.
- Split the bamboo rhizomes and remove the outer layer, leaving only two or three bud nodes.
- Put the rhizomes in a horizontal position over a container, bud side up.
- Spread a three-inch layer of soil over the rhizomes and thoroughly hydrate the soil. Maintain moist soil, but avoid drowning the rhizome cuttings.
- Put the pot in a location where it will be exposed to sunlight and shade.
- Your rhizomes should grow in about four to six weeks.
How to plant bamboo in containers?
Bamboo can grow in pots but needs more care because it’s sensitive to heat and cold.
Selecting a container with drainage is important. The bamboo should be transplanted to a new container every two to five years or split.
If you don’t, most bamboo will break out of its pot, and the culm (cane) size will be limited.
Once the bamboo shoots reach a height of 16 to 20 inches, they are ready to be planted in the garden.
Take them out of their containers and plant them straight into the ground. The bamboo hole should double the root mass.
Bottom line:
Growing bamboo can be a bit challenging, but with the right technique and know-how, you can definitely excel in the task.
Make sure to follow all the methods we have mentioned here. These are expert ways and will surely help you understand how everything goes.
Now, take every calculated step to ensure the bamboo comes out looking right!