Bamboo Seeds
How To Grow Bamboo Seeds
Bamboo seeds can actually be pretty hard to come by since the plants are so inconsistent with their flowering and seeding. The hardiness of bamboo is always determined by what season it is when you plant the seeds and the actual age of the seed. Be warned, seedlings can die very easily so these are not plants that everyone is successful with but once they actually get going, they typically require very little care.
In the 1970s, the giant pandas were brought to the United States who were fed these beautiful and intriguing bamboo plants, which caused an explosion in popularity with them. Another reason they are so appealing is that they have been known to grow 20 feet in just one season!
There are virtually hundreds of varieties of bamboo seeds. They come from plants that usually fall under one of two groups being running or clumping. The running varieties spread their roots wide and far and are considered invasive in many areas but the clumping type generally grows within its designated area.
Bamboo seeds can be grown either inside or outside. It is a lucky symbol and just having these plants in and around your home are said to bring you good fortune and love.
Growing From Seed
To grow bamboo plants from seed you will need perlite soil, peat moss, plastic container with a lid, water, spray bottle, shovel, small pots, all purpose fertilizer and bamboo seeds.
- To begin, place your seeds in a sieve that has very fine mesh and rinse them well with clean water.
- Next, place your seeds into a bowl of salt water and allow them to soak for five minutes. You should have 90 percent water and 10 percent salt in the bowl.
- Drain the saltwater and then put the seed into a bowl full of clean water and let them soak for 15 minutes.
- While they are soaking, combine equal parts of peat moss and perlite in a container and add in enough water just to make the mixture damp.
- Pour the soil into your large plastic container and then sprinkle the seeds out evenly over the soil. Gently spread a very light layer of the perlite and peat moss mixture over the seeds.
- Using your spray bottle, lightly mist the top of the soil and then close the container up with its lid.
- Every few days you should open the container to allow the soil to breathe. If you notice it has become dry, spray more water on top and then reseal the container back up.
- After about one month, start to fertilize the shoots using an all-purpose fertilizer. Seedlings can be transferred into pots within a few weeks.
Planting Bamboo in Water
Lucky bamboo is the only variety of the bamboo family that can be planted in water. All you need is a container, marbles or rocks, water and a young lucky bamboo. When you choose your container, keep in mind that they prefer ones of smaller size because they enjoy being root bound. A glass vase or jar or a ceramic mug are ideal to start your plant.
- Place a layer of marbles or rocks in the bottom. The layer should be about one quarter high as your container.
- Center the bamboo stalks so that the leaves point upward. Make sure that you push the stem enough into the rocks or marbles to ground it so it doesn't top over.
- Add more rocks or marbles around the stem while holding the plant in place. Lucky bamboo requires no sand or soil!
- Add about an inch or so of water to the container. You will need to add a bit everyday or whenever you happen to notice the water level getting low. The roots must never dry out or your plant will die and you must not simply fill the container with water either because the plant won't appreciate it.
- Place your lucky bamboo in an area that offers indirect sunlight. Should the leaves turn brown or yellow you know it is getting too much light.