Evaluating good bamboo starter plants

It has been so long since I was introduced to bamboo, I kind of forgot what it was like to be a novice and fresh to the whole bamboo experience. I remember my first bamboo purchases, and my look of puzzlement when the guy handed me “a good one”. It was a piece of a cane in a 3 gallon pot with 1 measly 3′ tall shoot, $80 for that one, $60 for this one, hey hears a bargain one for $30. Whoa really? Wow, I guess this is where bamboo gets its “expensive” reputation from.

Well I went home and planted those $80 starter plants, and to my astonishment before long (within 6 months) I had a few new shoots emerging. Within a year my bamboo was over 12′ tall with anywhere from 6-12 new shoots or culms.

Now I got it. I was a happy customer, even at $80 a pot, because it grows so fast, as long as your start is viable (living) you are good to go. The idea is that bamboo grows so fast that all you need is the minimal rooted cutting starter to grow your own huge clump. The important thing is to pay for and get the correct genetics. You can have a bamboo that looks like a twiggy bush with mildew year round, or a perfect sized beauty perfect for your climate, its the type of bamboo, and the genetics, the cultivar (cultivated varieties) that matters. Because these very specific cultivars  were so rare in the United States, and provides such beauty and value in their growth rate, they maintained their elite place in the marketplace, and stayed quite expensive.

Bigger is not always better. When it comes to potted bamboo, people think that the bigger the plant the better it will perform. The truth is that a single or double cane root division of most bamboo plants will make a mature clump in the same 3 years as a well rooted 3 gallon. That’s because the fresh division doesn’t get held back from being in a pot for too long. Bamboo hates growing in pots and it slows down the plant a bit. As soon as bamboo gets into the ground and gets watered,fed and mulched, it takes off. So a fresh division never slows down, it goes from living in the clump, to within weeks being planted in your landscape. There is only time for the plant to heal its wound and realize what has happened. As soon as the fresh division starts to grow roots it should be in your landscape.

 In this video we talk about how to start your seeds early and indoors with the use of MycoBlast mycorrhizae fungi. See how easy and inexpensive it is to inoculate hundreds of seeds and or seedlings with this powerful formula. Learn why water soluble mycorrhizae is better than granular products for seed soaks and seedling drenches. See how 1 packet of $2.95 MycoBlast can treat thousands of seeds. Please ask any questions in the comment box below, and I will quickly respond.

I am often asked about growing bamboo indoors. Many people each week call and email me regarding keeping bamboo indoors in pots. So I wanted to take a few minutes and write a post regarding what you should realisticaly expect from a bamboo starter, and how long it will take to fill out a large pot.

The truth is, bamboo is a tropical plant that loves to grow a huge root or rhizome system, and one of the easiest plants to grow in the ground. So growing and keeping bamboo plants in pots and in climate controlled, lower humidity environments is giving it 2 strikes against success. Not to say that bamboo cant be grown indoor, because it can, but I will say that with 2 strikes against you, there is not much margin for error.

Tip #1:Select the right species- As a loose general rule with tropical clumping bamboo, the larger the leaf, the higher the light requirements. This means Species like the multiplex varieties (Alphonse Karr, Fernleaf, Hedge, Stripestem, Silverstripe) are particularly well suited for high light indoor growth, as well as the ventricosa (Ventricosa green and yellow kimmei) will all make amazing indoor specimens, sure to turn heads.

Tip #2: The more light indoors the better! Indoors even the best light is heavily filtered so try to find the brightest spot possible for your bamboo plants. Giving your bamboo a home with at least 5 hours of bright light a day, will provide enough sunlight for strong consistent growth indoors.

Tip #3: Water them deeply, then let them dry a bit before watering again. Bamboo likes to dry out slightly and keeping your indoor bamboo plants on the dry side will keep the soil aerated and will avoid a moist surface for fungus and harmful bacteria to colonize. A good way to measure moisture is to pick up the pot and feel how heavy or light it is. If the pot is too big you can stick your finger down into the soil. If you can stick your finger down into the first few inches of the soil and it is dry, then it is time to reapply water.

Tip #4: Give them good circulation and ventilation to avoid bugs and fungus. A bamboo plant can be ruined by fungus or bug attacks.Even creatures like scale can ruin a beautiful bamboo plant. The idea here is to simulate a natural wind that keeps the bad guys away. Having the plants near a sometimes open window or sliding door or having a fan blow on the bamboo plant will help overall.

Tip #5:Fresh air will do wonders for your bamboo plant. Dont be afraid to move it in front of the sliding door or keep it on the patio for a few days in warm weather. The plants will love the natural air and breezes

I hope I didn’t scare you off from trying to grow your own bamboo plants  indoors. If your looking for something simple and bulletproof stick with “Lucky Bamboo” (which can be grown in a kitchen cabinet). Investing the time and energy into growing your own bamboo clump from a starter is a much more interactive, demanding and rewarding endevour with an amazing showpiece which is a true display of your green thumb.