Let’s Talk Bamboo! (And How to Get More of It!)
Hey plant friends! Are you ready to dive into the wonderful world of bamboo propagation? I know, I know, some people think I’m a little bonkers for wanting more of what can be seen as an “invasive” plant. But trust me, with a little container gardening magic, bamboo can be a truly amazing addition to your outdoor space.
I’m completely obsessed with bamboo! I keep mine happy (and contained!) in pots of all sizes. I even discovered that bamboo make excellent trellises for my sweet peas – they’re the best of friends!
Plus, bamboo is incredibly useful. I love snipping off older canes to use as plant supports or to create little DIY trellises.
Why Would You Want to Propagate Bamboo?
That’s a great question! My container bamboo always seems to be growing new shoots. But, after a while, they can start to look a little crowded or like they’re struggling. That’s when it’s time for a little “spa day” and a good dividing!
Dividing not only gives them more breathing room but also helps to freshen them up. To be fair, my larger bamboo pots are about 5 years old and doing great— I haven’t had to divide them just yet.
Honestly, the main reason I propagate bamboo is so I can expand my own collection or give some to a friend with a green thumb! Bamboo plants are perfect for creating a mini-oasis on a small deck or patio, adding a touch of lush greenery wherever they go.
Quick Note: There’s a short video overview to get you started. For the full, narrated version, scroll down to the end of this post!
(Affiliate disclosure)
What Kind of Bamboo Do I Have? Good Question!
Confession time: I’m not entirely sure what kind of bamboo is growing in my pots! It has been in her garden and it has run like crazy.
The one thing I do know is that this variety is incredibly tough. It breezes through our snowy, cold winters and provides a vibrant splash of green on my deck when everything else is looking a little dreary.
When’s the Best Time to Propagate?
Life gets busy and you may wonder about the best time to get out there and divide those Bamboo roots. However, if you prefer giving your bamboo time to settle in before sending up those pretty green shoots again.
I like the plant to fill out much faster and look lush during the growing season.
Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty: Dividing Your Bamboo!
Ready to split them up? Here’s what you do:
Grab the bamboo by the ‘scruff’ like removing your potted plant. Set on a flat surface.
Time to get this done in half, thirds( I suggest thirds), or quarters! We just did it in half this tie.
Tools You Will Need
What will you use?
We used a sawzall this time, but in the past, we have used a hack saw.
Why cut in Half?
Cutting them in half we kept the division large enough to promote a healthy size.
Now, to get the root ball apart you need to saw and divide.
Set aside and prepare your pots.
What type of potting soil? Or the bagged potting soil, but I mix it with worm castings.
Pot up bamboo divisions
Use a shovel to shave off the root ball and make the bamboo fit into the pot. After trimming, place some soil in the pot and center the root ball. Your soil level should be a bit lower than the top of the pot.
Now fill with soil leaving room at the top.
The New Home of the Plant
Now you want to find a good location for you plant away from the ground before watering them. So they are not to heavy.
Privacy along back fence is what I was looking.
Protection
We gave them a good watering when we moved them, and gave them a good watering for the next week.
They never missed a beat with no stress, because there was no stress.
Here is what we got within the month
The Bamboo is find with the snow.
Winter Protection
We don’t have severely cold winters in Zone 8(micro-climate Zone 7).
The plant is close to the house for added warmth, because of how hardy it is.
These bamboo plants will be moved back close to the side f the house.
We can move them as soon as the weather clears up.
Video
Let’s watch the narrated video: https://youtu.be/W0ZXrc0V9BA
Well, time of get out of here.
Happy Gardening to all ( Even in the winter!)
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