Bamboo rhizome propagation

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Craigh, Mar 23, 2025.

  1. Craigh

    Craigh Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi I have a clump forming bamboo in my garden and I want to make more of them. I have chopped off a piece of bamboo which is around 1 meter tall from around the edge taking a bit of rhizome with it too. However there isn't much root. I have potted this up but do I need to cut down the bamboo cane itself so that it gives the roots a chance to grow?

    Thanks
    Craigh
     
  2. WeeTam

    WeeTam Total Gardener

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    I think I would just remove another section.
    I separate mine into 3 equal parts with rootball , stick them into pots and away they go, no problems.
     
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    • Craigh

      Craigh Apprentice Gardener

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      Thank you. I will take a better section with more roots.

      However I may as well keep the others as you never know they may start to grow. But is it best to cut the stem down to say 30cm above soil so there is less stress?
       
    • Plantminded

      Plantminded Total Gardener

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      There are several ways to propagate bamboo. The quickest and easiest way is as @WeeTam describes, cutting the existing rootball into pieces, like you would with an ornamental grass. The last time I bought a bamboo, I removed it from the pot and cut the rootball in half with a pruning saw and planted both halves in the soil, leaving the canes unpruned. If you put the divisions in the ground or new pots, keep them well watered and new canes will develop over the next few weeks. They usually start to appear in my garden in May.
       
    • ViewAhead

      ViewAhead Total Gardener

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      Bamboos manage with surprisingly small root systems, given their size. I would just leave the cane as it is. It may wither and die off, but the bit of root should send out some shoots quickly at this time of yr. Keep it in full shade to reduce stress.
       
    • Thevictorian

      Thevictorian Gardener

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      Just to add it depends how much root you have managed to get because ideally you need the leaves to provide the energy to the plant for it to recover and grow strongly.
       
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