cloning bamboo

chappie · 03-11-2009, 12:44 PM

Hello---

I discovered a pretty nice stand of bamboo near a creek on my property. I'd like to spread it around. I think it is a "clumping" variety (as opposed to the "running" type). Reading up on it, sounds like I am supposed to dig up some of the roots to divide it. Problems are 2:

1) Its on kindof a cliff-like area, I don't want to mess with the soil there
2) I don't want to mess with the plant in general. Its really beautiful and I don't want to harm it with my clumsy digging.

So... has anyone tried to propagate bamboo with vegetative clones? Like cut a few of the canes, treat with rooting hormone, and plant in a very perlite-rich soil mix? Water and leave in pots for a year? I'm willing to give it a go, I have the space for it in the greenhouse, but just wondering if anyone had tips or a reason to believe this isn't worth the effort. I'd like to cut 10 or 15 of the canes and try to root them like this, so then I can plant those 10 or 15 plants and in 5 or 10 years, maybe have some good plants.

Sso · 03-11-2009, 12:52 PM

i have what is called lucky bamboo. when i got it, it looked like a cut off cane that had been rooted, just like we do mj.

but here is the thing, bamboo is hollow and there was some green hard substance filling the hole. looked artificial.

so i;d try to google it some more.

chappie · 03-11-2009, 12:55 PM

I'm pretty sure that stuff isn't actually bamboo, just looks like it. I've googled tons... there's just the same thing rewritten over and over about how to seperate the roots. There's some innovative gardeners here so thought I would check directly.

OldThymer · 03-11-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

We can propagate bamboo using culm cuttings. We use either double node cuttings or branch cuttings.

PROPAGATION THROUGH DOUBLE-NODE CUTTINGS

Make cuttings of culms with at least two internodes left intact. Trim branches from lower node. Plant prepared cuttings vertically in warm soil with the top of the culm and the branches left protruding. If using potting bags or pots, cover each with a clear or lightly frosted plastic bag tied in place after watering and leave in part shade until new roots protrude from drain holes. New roots and shoots are produced at the lower node. Single node cuttings planted on their side with the branch complement upwards will work with some species.

BRANCH CUTTINGS

Propagation using branch cuttings has proved successful in some cases. Cut the whole complement of side branches from a culm using a sharp hacksaw and plant in warm soil. Maintain atmospheric humidity using the system described for double node cuttings. New roots appear at the base of side branches within a few months.

But this method can be applied in dormant season (just 1-2 months before new sprouting)

Note that I just copied/pasted. I haven't tried it.

*buzzmobile* · 03-11-2009, 02:02 PM

I used to be the horticulturist at a famous American's winter home. There were stands of bamboo on the property and they rooted very readily. We used to cut large canes and build fence posts and rails out of them. More than several times our "posts" would begin to sprout new leaves and branches.

It should work for you.

chadwick · 03-11-2009, 02:19 PM

i just got a bamboo plant, the ones they tie a few of them around each other and the leave look a lot like marijuana leaves, anyways i have room in my house plant cloning tray ill add a few in and see if its possible ill post picks soon for you

chadwick · 03-11-2009, 02:49 PM

first pictures of the plant i took it from some kind of bamboo, if someone could tell me what kind id be very glad

second is of the bamboo in the rockwool, i soaked the cuttings in a mixture of a cap full of superthrive to a quart of water for a minute or two, then gave each rockwool a quick spray of this mixture too, not much though, and dipped the cuttings in rooting hormone powder, then gave them a quick spray with regular tap water, hope this works its my first time cloning and doing any form of hydroponics so ill let you know in a few days if it worked

o yea third pictures just the tray

**EZMark** · 03-11-2009, 03:25 PM

Chappie,
Bamboo is one of Earths fastest growing plants.
I have always just dug a spadeful at the edge of the stand, and kind of broke it apart and stuck it in the ground with some water, and it GROWS!!! (kind of hard to get rid of if it's where you don't want it)
But I would luv to know you tried taking some cuttings and rooted them.
Like Oldtimers Post said ,that should work.
Please keep us posted.
GROW WELL

chappie · 03-11-2009, 07:17 PM

buzzmobile has encouraged me... when it warms up (probably may) I will take some cuttings and treat them largely like MJ and see where it goes.

thanks everyone.

Andthen · 03-11-2009, 07:25 PM

Pleas keep us updated I have been pondering the same thing. I love the way bamboo looks. I tried growing one of those lucky bamboos you buy at the store but no luck. I might try again but would really like to learn from your experience.
Hope that's cool with you.

Aim High

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cloning without cloning gels, powder, etc.	MoJo	Propagation	15	07-24-2008 11:37 AM
bamboo, why are they dieing?	chadwick	Flowers & Herbs	2	12-22-2007 11:40 PM
Bamboo Plants	gr33n	Flowers & Herbs	7	11-08-2006 04:01 PM
Cloning Big Bud?	Beener	Propagation	3	03-11-2005 02:55 PM
Cloning without ANY CLONING / ROOT HORMONE	shottykid	Propagation	4	05-05-2001 01:41 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate View Forum Leaders Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read

Hot Products: