How To Grow Bamboo updated Tue Sep 4 2007 3:41 pm CDT

How Do You Grow Bamboo? Bamboo is basically a grass, and with most grasses the usual method of growing is with seeds. Bamboo seeds, however, are not commonly available. In fact, some bamboo species do not seed at all. Other bamboo species have extremely long flowering cycles making procuring the seeds difficult. Another method used with bamboo is tissue culture. Tissue culture is a quick method of producing large quantities of bamboo. This involves placing a piece of the plant (a nod, stem tip, meristem, or seed into a sterile medium under controlled conditions. The other method more commonly used with bamboo is division or transplanting. The best times to transplant bamboo are spring (February to April) or autumn. Simply follow these easy steps: Choose a clump approximately two feet in diameter with three or four healthy young culms (the stem or stalk). Clear the soil surrounding the clump until enough of the rhizome (the underground stem) can be seen. The rhizome should be straw/yellow colored. Wrap the roots in plastic and keep watered to prevent drying out and replant as soon as possible. Prepare the soil with a good helping of fertilizer and water thoroughly. Place the clump in the hole and cover with soil Now be patient. A transplanted clump will take 3-4 years to become established. For more detrailed information on How To Grow Bamboo, I recommend this e-book which can be easily downloaded.