Author Topic: Growing Bamboo  (Read 1231 times)

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Offline greenthumbnails

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Growing Bamboo
« on: August 24, 2008, 02:00:48 PM »
Does anyone have experience growing and propagating tree bamboo?  I have a bamboo tree that I planted 2 years ago that I want to share with a friend.  Not exactly sure how to do that as I got mine in a 5 gallon container at the farmer's market as a young plant.

First pic is 2 yrs ago
Second pic is now

« Last Edit: August 24, 2008, 04:41:40 PM by greenthumbnails »
My next female cat will be called "Whata Lily"!

Offline Jerry

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2008, 04:50:38 PM »
I simply divided mine.  Mike w. was the recipient. It worked!
Jerry
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Offline greenthumbnails

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2008, 04:58:10 PM »
How deep did you dig Jerry?  I have dug down there before to just remove stray bamboo shoots but I have never run into the actual roots to be able to divide it.  And did you divide it in the fall/winter/spring?  How tall was it when you divided it?

My next female cat will be called "Whata Lily"!

Offline Jerry

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2008, 10:36:54 PM »
I am sure less than a foot.  What season?  Who remembers?
Just get a "hairy" rhizome. It can work.
Jerry
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Offline Sunbeam56

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2008, 07:12:08 AM »
Bamboo have two main types of root systems - running, and clumping.
From the photo, it looks like you have a clumping bamboo - which is GREAT - because it won't try to take over your hard.

Dig down until you can see the root system. Clumpers expand by a rhizome that has a thin neck where it leaves the parent plant. Like Jerry says, the outside edge of the rhizome is bulbous, and will have a beard of roots.
Cut at the narrow neck where it joins the parent plant.
If your soil allows, take some dirt with the beard. The health of the roots has a great deal to do with whether it survives the transplant. So its better to disturb them as little as you can.
Treat it like you would grass - miracle grow is great.

As tall as your bamboo is - fish pole bamboo? - cut the top off, too. The roots will need to grow to support that tall top. Leave at least one branching node - where the branches come off the main trunk and already have leaves.


Offline greenthumbnails

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2008, 07:23:58 AM »
Cooool! Thanks for the info!   ;D

My next female cat will be called "Whata Lily"!

Offline Jerry

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2008, 07:45:47 AM »
my timber bamboo
Jerry
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Offline Sunbeam56

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2008, 03:02:29 PM »
My timber bamboo!  @O@

Offline greenthumbnails

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Re: Growing Bamboo
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2008, 06:59:57 PM »
I'm not sure what kind of bamboo I have as it was from the farmer's market unlabeled.  The seller was also selling bamboo shoots for eating (treated like a delicacy).  They had one tree in a pot that was already "sold "and I asked about it.  They then said that if I returned again in 3 weeks they would get me another one to buy.  My guess is they grow and harvest the bamboo mainly to sell for eating (the bamboo shoots) but once in a while will sell one to somebody interested in growing it.  They were not even from the area as they drive 3 plus hours just to have a booth at the farmer's market, hence the 3 weeks wait. 

I have tried growing the small weed kind that doesn't ever get really bigger than a person...just messy and all over the place.  This one is definitely the tree type which is what I wanted.  Its a great way to get shade from a tree quick.  Its as tall as my live oak trees which are about 20 yrs old and I've only had the bamboo for about 2 yrs.  Of course it could be older than that but it had the top part chopped off with only some lower branches when I bought it.

« Last Edit: August 27, 2008, 07:06:09 PM by greenthumbnails »
My next female cat will be called "Whata Lily"!

 

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