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View Full Version : Doing bad things to good bamboo?


glenn smith
12th July 2007, 08:24 PM
This may seem like a bad idea, but it worked for me once a few years ago with a couple starts from a Henon grove...

I find an outlying new culm(anywhere from 2" to 36")and dig out a "plug" including a section of rhizome and roots.
This is then potted and kept moist, with only a few hours of direct sunlight daily.
My theory is that while new culms certianly require enough water to maintain structural strength while developing, they do not transpire near as much moisture as leaves. Hopefully, root development will keep pace with culm development.
I also make a habit of spraying down the roots/rhizome with a solution of one teaspoon KNO3 per gallon as soon as the mass leaves the ground. Not letting roots or cut tissue dry out for even a moment seems to improve bamboo transplant success significantly. I'll post more images as these plants mature.

One reason I'm attempting this is to create marketable pottings earlier.
Instead of having a stub with leaves and some new culms in spring, by late fall/early winter I should have a single, graceful, well leaved culm that doesn't look scary to a potential buyer at all! ;-j

The first two are of one of the P. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' culms I've potted this way, others show single Pseudosasa japonicas one pot of a quad of japonica culms. Back pots are assorted henons, chilean feather, simonii, etc. potted in a more conventional manner.

glenn

Mark Meckes
16th July 2007, 02:55 AM
And here I thought it was all down to that majic green thumb of yours. ;)
No, really it's the things you've mentioned that helps to assure a better chance of success.
I suppose green thumb = getting downright intimate with your boo
... and doing everything possible to limit the effects of transplant shock.
Often the best teacher is hands-on experimentation through trials, and especially errors.

Oh, and as they are living creatures with a 'mind' of their own ...
I guess it helps to have some ...

Good luck! :)

Mark

glenn smith
16th July 2007, 08:36 PM
Good luck is always apprieciated, Mark...thanks!
Shhhh...ixnay on the ntimatiay! If wifewoman catches sight of this post, she'll have a chainsaw out back before I can say "Phyllostachys"! ;-j

Glenn