maniaccts
7th August 2005, 03:03 AM
I was wondering if a golden bamboo that was ripped from the ground would grow if put back in good soil after being exposed to air for 10mins? Thank you
Mark Meckes
7th August 2005, 05:06 PM
hmmm, it depends :) Some things to consider ...
Make sure the above ground culms are young and healthy. This will ensure that there are young rhizomes below ground which will have viable growth buds attached to produce new rhizomes and shoots.
Older culms have older rhizomes, which will also die off.
A successful transplant requires that there be sufficient rhizomes attached to the above ground portion, preferably least `disturbed' as possible.
Fewer rhizomes = less number of culms per division and more top growth that will need to be removed.
Mist-spray exposed rhizome roots, or cover with wet burlap/cloth or sheet plastic after digging, as they dry out quickly.
If the location is very sunny, provide some shade until the plant gets over the transplant shock.
Photos: A Phyllostachys aurea culm bottom
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/503/thumbs/PaureaCulmBase-877.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=1238)
A one year old dug up Phyllostachys aurea culm bottom with attached rhizome.
This was not dug for propagation, it was dug up where no bamboo must dare to grow - in our outdoor yard and workplace.
If a shoot emerges, it either gets eaten at the dinner table, or is removed with a section of rhizome using a straight spade.
Close up
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/503/thumbs/PaureaCulmBase-878.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=1239)
Note the dormant basal eye bud (middle of picture), at the base of the culm near the connection to the rhizome.
This particular Phyllostachys species is well adapted to live through adverse situations. If, for various reasons, the above ground growth died or was cut down, these basal buds would produce a smaller sprout or a new rhizome, and a new generation of bamboo would begin.
Looking up from underneath
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/503/thumbs/PaureaCulmBaseRhizome-884.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=1240)
Note rhizome eye bud.
Bamboo never uses up (grows) all of the rhizome buds. Only a small percentage are ever used to make new rhizomes and shoots.
They are there just in case they are needed. Eventually older rhizomes buds die and all that remains of them is an empty bud casing or scar.
When digging and transplanting bamboo, it's good to dig young rhizomes up to around 3 years of age. The dorment buds on the rhizome will still be viable and will awaken, and grow into another rhizome or sprout, as long as there is sufficient rhizome/roots attached to provide necessary nutritients.
Mark