3 Bamboo Seed Pictures

[cngodles]

Planted 5 of each on June 20, 2007. We'll see what comes up!


Dendrocalamus Strictus

http://bamboo.statedirt.com/images/thumb/a/ac/Dendrocalamus_strictus_seeds.jpg/764px-Dendrocalamus_strictus_seeds.jpg

Dendrocalamus Membranaceus

http://bamboo.statedirt.com/images/thumb/4/45/Dendrocalamus_membranaceus_seeds.jpg/761px-Dendrocalamus_membranaceus_seeds.jpg

Bambusa Arundinacea

http://bamboo.statedirt.com/images/thumb/2/25/Bambusa_arundinacea_seeds.jpg/757px-Bambusa_arundinacea_seeds.jpg

All of these are going to end up as houseplants I believe.

The bambusa has wrong coloring, they appear very tan, much like a dried bamboo culm. The Strictus seeds were very fat, and appeared quite healthy.

[cngodles]

I started all 3 of these seeds sealed in two different zip lock bags on June 21st. I added water to a paper towel and stuck them inside.

All of the bambusa are on their way to sprouting, some showing roots and a shoot already, one strictis is coming up, the others may come up.

The membranaceus, on the other hand, looks like each is a little science experiment. A slight mold covers them all. Any way I can wash the seeds before trying this?

Thanks!
Clint

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Clint,
Some methods I've read about to prevent mold on germinating seeds are
- a horticultural fungicide
- regular bleach > 1/2 teaspoon to 1 litre of bottled water

and if mold gets bad, rinsing the seeds in warm soapy water.

I've also read that there are good molds and bad molds.

I've grown other seeds, not bamboo, yet, and usually mold has not been a real problem unless the seeds have been sitting in over saturated conditions for too long.
I'm also familiar with damping off problems, with seedlings that can rot at the stem when they are very small.

Here's an informative site:
Germinating seeds in baggies
http://www.robsplants.com/seed/baggy.php

I've used the coffee filter/baggie method before, and it's helpful transplanting the seeds if the baggie is place in an upright position as their roots will grow downward instead of getting all tangled up if the baggie is laid flat.

BTW, My wife Carole found a bag of 100+ Bambus sinospinosa seeds collected at Quail Gardens, California in Sept 1994, (13 years ago), and though they are probably too old now, I should try and germinate some to see if any will sprout.
Will take pics soon...

Mark