Gardeners and hobby gardeners use various ways to propagate bamboo plants. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, it is important to choose the right one according to your own needs. Multiply bamboo – all the options at a glance:
What ways are there to propagate bamboo?
Bamboo can be propagated by rhizome propagation, division, cutting propagation, sowing or meristem propagation. Rhizome propagation and division are the easiest methods to quickly obtain full-fledged bamboo plants identical to the mother plant.
- Rhizome propagation
- Reproduction by division
- Propagation of cuttings
- Propagation by sowing
- Meristem proliferation
Propagate bamboo – turn 1 into 2 and more
If you want several bamboo plants quickly, you have to propagate them through rhizomes or divide the root ball. These are the two easiest and most proven methods for hobby gardeners to immediately obtain fully-fledged bamboo plants identical to the mother plant.
Whether rhizome propagation or division – important in advance: start your project at the right time and with the ideal weather. Propagate, divide or transplant the bamboo either in March or late summer. New stalks grow from April to June and the roots should not be disturbed. As a precaution, wear protective clothing and safety glasses when working.
A cloudy, damp day is recommended for propagation, professional dividing or even limiting. Ideally after a rain shower when the soil is moist and loose.
Propagate bamboo through rhizomes
Bamboo plants reproduce predominantly vegetatively by spreading the roots in the soil. This makes it possible to separate rooted rhizome pieces, which serve as starting material for new bamboo plants. To do this, partially dig up the bamboo or expose individual rhizomes and remove them from the bamboo. Continue as follows:
- Remove rhizomes from soil
- separate young bamboo shoots individually
- Let the cut dry for a day
Then simply keep the bamboo shoots slightly moist in the loose, sandy soil and let them grow. Also works in the pot. Important: do not use peat! This one is too sour.
Propagate bamboo by dividing
You can propagate the garden bamboo Fargesia as a clump-forming bamboo species by dividing the root ball. Water the root ball in advance. Then continue working in the following steps:
- Tie up the plant
- Share the root ball with a sharp spade (€29.00 at Amazon) several times
- Cover separated root pieces immediately with moist potting soil
- plant in the prepared location
Propagate bamboo through cuttings
Only works on some tropical bamboo species if root systems are present in the axillary buds. Bamboos in temperate latitudes do not have this special bamboo property.
Propagate bamboo by seeds requires patience
Some types of bamboo only bloom every 80 to 120 years. Others bloom more often but only produce a few germinable seeds after the bamboo has flowered. The bred offspring often differ from the mother plant in growth and color.
Bamboo from meristem propagation
Plant tissue or meristem propagation is only possible in the laboratory. It is suitable for bamboo growers to obtain a variety of bamboo plants cost-effectively in the shortest possible time.
Tips & Tricks
Be careful when buying bamboo! Many bamboo plants from meristem propagation develop different characteristics than the mother plant. Therefore only buy if the mother plant can be viewed.
