You've never seen a blooming bamboo? This is no coincidence, as it is truly a rarity for a bamboo to bloom. But why?
What do bamboo flowers look like and what happens after they bloom?
Bamboo flowers are inconspicuous, spikey and appear rarely, sometimes only after decades. Their appearance resembles larger grass flowers and they change color from greenish to brownish-yellow. After flowering, bamboo often dies unless the flowers are removed and the plant is well cared for.
Can one even speak of a flower?
The blossom of the bamboodoesn't look like a flower at all. It is quite unspectacular and would probably not even catch the eye of a layperson. This applies to all types of bamboo and all types of bamboo. These plants are therefore not known for the great look of their flowers, but rather for their long stalks reaching towards the sky and lush green leaves.
When does the flower or blossom of the bamboo appear?
Bamboo is a very mysterious representative of the sweet grass family. It isnot foreseeable when it will produce its flowers. This can sometimes take several decades. The appearance of the flowers does not depend on age, location, temperatures or certain well-being factors. Even experts cannot predict when a bamboo will be ready to bloom. But an average emerges. This is how an average garden bamboo blooms after 10 to 15 years.
What does the bamboo flower look like?
They arenot very noticeableand are reminiscent of the typical flowers of grasses, just in a slightly larger version. The bamboo flowers areyearly, appear somewhat fluffy and appear high above the plant and in between. At first they have a greenish hue, which later changes to a brownish yellow. Numerous long stamens hang down as they wither. The flowers can be seen for two to three years before they finally wither.
What happens immediately after flowering?
After the flowers have presented themselves,the bamboousually dies. Only a few species of bamboo retain their vitality and continue to grow even after flowering. To prevent the bamboo from dying, you can remove the flowers as soon as they appear. In the coming weeks you should keep checking the plant for flowers and cutting them off. Additionally, fertilize and water well to reduce the risk of the bamboo's early end to life.
Tip
Why bamboo and orchid flowers are often shown together
You can often find images of bamboo in combination with orchid flowers, for example in yoga rooms, at alternative practitioners, in massage studios, etc. However, these two plants have nothing in common with each other. They only fit together well for visual reasons and reflect the magic of East Asia in a harmonious way.
