If you know How to Propagate Bamboo correctly, you can easily grow them by dividing rhizomes. Read on the article to find out the process in brief!
You can either grow Bamboo as an ornamental plant or as a privacy screen; it is going to enhance the beauty of your garden with its dense green and vibrant foliage! Learn How to Propagate Bamboo in detail in the article below.
How to Propagate Bamboo from Cuttings
Bamboos are perennials that develop from rhizomes. If you already have a 3-4 years old bamboo plant, then you can use the cutting from the canes (culms), stalks, or rhizomes to propagate a new plant. While propagating Bamboo, you need to separate the rhizomes from the parent plant before they begin to germinate in spring.
You need to know which type of Bamboo you are going to propagate. It is of two types: Running and Clumping; both of which grow and propagate differently. Rhizomes of Running Bamboo spread vigorously, whereas the Clumping bamboo sticks together in a dense, tight clump.
Things You Will Need to Propagate Bamboo
- Pruning loppers
- Trowel
- Pruning saw
- Mulch
- Digging spade
Running Bamboo
- The best time to propagate running Bamboo is in the early spring, as new culms sprout during this time. Using a trowel, dig to look out for any new buds and rhizomes.
- Cut rhizomes, with 2-4 culms and buds with at least 2 nodes, using a hand looper or a saw and cover the parent plant.
- Cut the culms to 1/3 of their original height and plant them deep in rich soil, either in a container or directly in the ground.
- Water both the parent plant and culms thoroughly.
- Mulch the plant using bark or other organic materials.
- You can also stake the culms to keep them safe from strong winds.
Clumping Bamboo
- Spring is the best time to propagate a clumping bamboo. To do it, dig at the edge of the plant, exposing the clump bottom.
- Select the clump with the strongest shoots, buds, and roots by lifting carefully.
- Cut it using a saw and pull the entire clump out and cover the parent plant with soil immediately. Now, divide the clump in a way that every piece has roots and 3-4 buds.
- Like the running Bamboo, Cut the culms to 1/3 of their original height and plant them deep in rich soil, either in a container or directly in the ground.
- Mulch the plant using bark or other organic materials.
- You can also stake the culms to keep them safe from strong winds.
Points to Remember
- Do not separate or dig up Bamboo, having new shoots or growth.
- Avoid starting propagation if the temperature is below 40 F (4 C).
- Keep the cuttings well hydrated.
- Place the bamboo cuttings in the shade during the growth phase. Keep the soil moist, but do not allow the soil to be waterlogged.
