Bamboo
Propagation
Let me start out by saying that there are many ways to propagate bamboo but I’ll only be describing the way that has worked best for me.
I’m fairly lazy so all this business about digging up the rhizome clumps for bamboo propagation was never going to happen. I’m sure it’s a wonderfully effective method, but I’m not about to go digging up my perfectly healthy bamboo just to move it somewhere else. I like my rhizomes just where they are thank you very much!
The method I use for bamboo propagation is the cloning method. Classic clipping, though for bamboo there are a couple of extra steps I take to ensure that most of the cuttings “take”.
The Set Up
Before I start I set up my
soaking bucket. This is a bucket (usually the biggest one I can
find) that I
mix Miracle Grow in. After I cut and trim the “joint” of the bamboo I let
them soak in a l
ight Miracle Grow solution for about two hours to give them
a boost until their own roots system starts growing. I’ve never measured how
much I use; I just put in enough to make the water a pretty blue. I also
make sure I have a handy jar of rooting enzyme close at hand. You will use
this just before planting the cutting in soil.
The tools I use they are pretty basic. A nice hand saw, a pair of long handled branch cutters, and a set of pruning clippers. Oh, and most importantly for me, a good pair of gloves. As a massage therapist I have to watch out for my hands, and the cracked edge of bamboo can be as sharp as a razor blade, so be careful.
The Cutting
First, make sure the culm (single bamboo shoot) you are cutting is at least a year old. Immature ones can work, but you’ll get fewer successful starts from them. I’ve also found the thicker culms tend to work a little better then the thin ones. I try to use ones that are at least an inch thick. Of course, if your bamboo clump is more than a year old all of them will be over an inch thick.
Cut just below the lowest
knuckle that has a branch coming out of it. If there is no branch coming off
it there is no reason to cut it off (unless your just a bit
obsessive, then go ahead). If you leave the lower branchless part intact
I’ve found they eventually grow branches themselves. More cuttings, Yea!
Next, cut each knuckle off. I
cut about 2 inches both above and
below the joint to try and avoid splitting
into it. As I cut off each one I usually clean up the knuckle before putting
it in the bucket. I try to find the
branch that seems the healthiest (not to
long, not too short, with no brown or damaged areas) and cut all the
branches but that one off. I’m not sure if it makes a big difference but my
theory is that having only one branch will need fewer roots to sustain it.
And since your cutting will not have any root… you get the idea. Also, the
further up the culm you go, the thinner the culm gets. Remember, less then
and inch and they don’t “take” as well. Of course, that doesn’t stop me
from using them (I am a bit obsessive myself).
The Soak
As you finish each "node" place it in the bucket of Miracle Grow and water. Occasionally I do all my cutting and cleaning first and then put them in the bucket all at once. This usually happens when I forget to make up my bucket of water. I've never let them soak for more than about three hours so I'm not sure what that would do. Probably nothing, but you never know.
The Planting
I have tried planting the "nodes" straight into the ground but have found it
much harder to
control the water level in the soil. In a pot (the black nursery pots work
fine) I can keep the soil wet for the first month or so until the roots
start, so that is what I suggest.
Fill up enough pots with soil so that you can get 3-4 nodes per pot in them.
Even with the 80%+ survival rate I get with my cuttings you will still want to make sure that
each pot produces a surviving culm. Before you place a node make sure
to
put some root enzyme around the base of the branch (I sometimes put it on
both ends of the cutting as well). This will really help to establish the
root system in the shortest possible time. The bamboo is much easier to care
for once it has a good root system. Once all the
nodes are planted in soil I take the bucket of Miracle Grow and evenly water
all the pots. Again, just to make the rooting a little easer. That isn't
usually enough water to make all the soil wet so after that I soak the pots
with the hose.
The Maintaining
I live in Florida and in the summer we get rain almost every day, so watering is pretty easy, but in the winter it can get very dry. For the first month or so I make sure to soak the pots every day, even if I know it's going to rain. When it rains, very little falls directly into the pots, so they still need watering. If you allow them to dry out before there is enough of a root system for the nodes to find and store water it will die. Just like that. If you live somewhere that is a bit cooler I imagine you won't have to water quite as often.
Done?
It takes at least 4 months before the cuttings are ready to transfer out of the pot, usually a bit longer. I know it sounds like a long process, and it pretty much is. But instead of digging up a couple of rhizomes and transferring only one or two plants, when your done with your cuttings, you'll have dozens of plant ready to landscape willi nilli. Have Fun!
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