how to propagate bamboo palm

How To Propagate Bamboo: Different Ways Explained

If you have been thinking of introducing some natural vibes in your interior decoration, bamboo would be a great choice since they don’t take up much space.

They are also very easy to propagate which allows you to get more plants and extend the aesthetics to other rooms.

How To Propagate Bamboo: Different Ways Explained

For those of you who already own bamboo plants and want to breed more of them, here are some ideas on how to propagate bamboo!

Different Ways To Propagate Bamboo

Culm Cuttings

  1. Choosing The Right Tools

Before cutting the culms, you need to pick the right tools for this process. The choices can vary according to the size of your bamboo. If it is a thin one, you can just use a sharp knife for this method. For the larger and thicker bamboos, you may need a handsaw.

  1. Sterilize The Tools

Sterilize the required tool with common disinfectants like rubbing alcohol or diluted bleach. If the latter is not readily available, make some yourself! Pour half a liter or 4 fluid ounces of water in a bowl. Now mix a tablespoon of the bleach into it to make it diluted.

  1. Cutting The Culms

Now start cutting the culms such that each piece is about 10 inches long and contains 3-4 nodes or more. The culm should be cut at about 45 degrees angle. If you are expecting the stalks to grow effectively, their nodes should be at least one inch in diameter.

  1. Apply Rooting Hormone

Get a rooting hormone for dipping one end of the culm into. This kind of hormone helps the fresh sticks to develop roots faster. So get some of it on your stick with a dip and then shake off any excess.

  1. Apply Soft Wax

Take some soft wax like that of soy or beeswax in a small container. Carefully apply it around the rim of your stick to keep it safe from drying up or rotting away. Make sure that the wax does not get into the central hollow portion. For the rim, your chosen wax should cover about â…› inch of its longer portion.

  1. Put In The Soil

Now it’s time to place the fresh new nurtured culm into the soil! Bury the exposed end (which we just waxed) into potting soil such that one node stays underneath. Press the oil to remove the air pockets surrounding each stick. If there are more than one culms you are working with, bury them at a distance of one inch.

  1. Moisten The Soil

Spray water on the soil just enough to make it moist, not muddy. Check how wet the soil has become by sticking a finger into it. Now pour water into the hollow center of its open end so that the roots can develop faster. Keep an eye on this water level regularly and make sure that the central space has enough water.

  1. Place The Pots

Do not place the pots in an area with direct sunlight. Young bamboo plants grow better with a little light and a lot of shade. Remember to water them on a daily basis and keep the soil moist.

How To Propagate Bamboo In Water?

  1. Cutting The Sticks

Cut off about 10 inches from new bamboo to get the sticks for propagating. Each stick must have two culms and two nodes at a minimum. Use a sharp sterilized knife to cut these pieces at 45 degrees angle.

  1. Dip In Water

Fill up a pot with water and place the stick in it so that about half an inch of the bottom remains submerged. This sunken part should contain at least one node. Doing so is important to give it enough area for developing roots. It will be a good idea to use a transparent pot which lets you see how much the root has grown.

  1. Place The Container

Keep this container in a place where sunlight hits indirectly for at least six hours straight. The overall temperature of this area should be 55°F or higher. Change the water every couple of days, otherwise the bamboo will run out of oxygen.

  1. Transfer The Container

When the root becomes about two inches long after a few weeks, transfer it to the ground or another pot with soil. The bottom part set under the soil should be one-inch long.

From Rhizomes

  1. Cutting The Rhizome

Rhizomes are the horizontal stem that grows underground with lateral shoots and roots coming out of them. Cut a little part of your established bamboo rhizomes from under the soil which contains about 3-4 nodes or growth buds on it. Avoid the rhizomes which look darker or patchy since these are usually proof of pests.

  1. Putting In The Soil

Place the rhizome part horizontally in the other potting soil where you plan to propagate. Make sure its buds are facing upwards so that the stalk can grow freely. If there are already stalks growing out of your rhizome, keep it free from getting into the soil for now.

  1. Cover With Soil

Cover it all with a layer of soil that goes three inches deep. Press well so that every area of the rhizome gets in touch with the soil. Pour just enough water on it to make the soil moist and refrain from using too much water which can make it muddy. Check up on its condition every alternate day.

  1. Storing The Pot

Store it in an area with shade and some indirect sunlight. Its surrounding temperature should be 55°F or more at night. The new bamboo sprouts should appear within one and a half months at most.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to propagate bamboo in several ways, you can start following the one that works the best for your interior. Remember that it will take a month or longer for the results to show. So hold on to your patience and watch the beautiful plant grow!

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