Propagate Bamboo
Bamboo is a hardy, fast-growing plant that has many uses, including furniture, flooring, and privacy screening. Bamboo, which is technically considered a grass, can grow to great heights in a relatively short period of time and is easy to grow from cuttings. This article explains how to propagate bamboo.
Steps
- Fill a growing tray with high quality potting soil and use the handle of a long wooden spoon to make evenly-sized holes in the potting soil.
- Put 2 tbsp (30 g) of rooting hormone in a separate container or plastic bag, being careful not to risk contaminating the original container of rooting hormone by allowing it to come into contact with any of the bamboo cuttings.
- Using a knife or sharp scissors, cut 10-inch (25.4 cm) sections of bamboo at a 45-degree angle from existing, healthy bamboo plants. Make sure there are at least 2 nodes and 2 internodes on each section cut. A node is the hard growth that encircles the bamboo cane, separating it into sections. The green sections of bamboo between the nodes are referred to as internodes.
- Dip the top edge of the recently-cut bamboo into soft wax. Keep the center hole running through the interior of the cane clear to help keep the bamboo from drying out while the roots are developing.
- Dip the bottom edge of the bamboo cutting into the rooting hormone. Shake the bamboo cutting gently to remove any excess rooting hormone powder.
- Place the bamboo cuttings into the holes in the potting soil in the growing tray, bottom sides first. Press the soil firmly into place, eliminating any air pockets that may have formed around the bamboo cuttings.
- Pour water down into the center of each bamboo cutting until the center section is full.
- Spray a mist of water on the growing tray until the soil is damp, but not soaking wet. Cover the bamboo cuttings with clear plastic and place the growing tray in a sunny location away from direct sunlight, because the heat from the sun will kill the bamboo cuttings.
- Remove the plastic for about an hour each day to provide the bamboo cuttings with fresh air. Replace the water in the center portion of the bamboo cutting as it dries out.
- Once healthy roots begin growing, the bamboo is ready to be planted in a container or outdoors.
Tips
- New leaves should begin growing from the top node within 14 to 21 days.
- Cut bamboo cuttings from healthy bamboo plants that are no more than 3 years old. Plants that are 1 to 2 years old work best for propagating new bamboo plants. Existing bamboo plants should be at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter, however larger plants tend to propagate more easily.
- Use a very sharp knife, shears, or saw to cut the bamboo. It is important to get a clean cut.
Things You'll Need
- Growing tray
- High quality potting soil
- Sharp knife, pruning shears, or saw
- Wooden spoon
- Clear plastic or plastic bag
- Powdered rooting hormone
- Spray bottle
- Soft wax, such as candle wax or beeswax
Related Articles
- Propagate from Cane Cuttings
