Bamboo seeds?

G'evening people,

I've another of my beginner/newbie gardeners questions for ya,

I've been round Haskins today and although there the most expensive garden center within a 15 mile radius of my home I did get a couple of bargains including a hollow tine aerator which I couldn't find anywhere else for just £13.

Any way I looked at the Bamboo they had on sale and was taken back at the price. I've a large pot I bought years ago for around £40 the same size was on sale for in the region of £100 in there.

Any way back to the question, I would like to hear if any one has had any joy in planting Bamboo from seed? I would like to add more bamboo to my garden but I can't afford to buy fully grown/established bamboo so the idea of growing from seed is appealing.

Is it easy to do for some one like me who has never grown anything from seed? Dose it grow relativity fast/slow?

Thanks.

 

You don't grow it from seed as far as I'm aware. You just rip off a piece, stick it in a pot and it starts growing. (Well, that's what I've done anyway.)

I've about 20 pots of the stuff growing at the moment, all started from torn-off stems.

P.S. I'm certainly NOT an expert so I may be doing it all wrong, but they're growing anyway.

 

It is very difficult from seed.

The garden centre price always amazes me, as it's pretty much a weed.

I got mine from the local tip for £3. Keep an eye out, as plenty of people chuck it once they realise exactly what it grows like!

Or, just dig up a chunk of roots from someone you know who's already got one, stick it in a pot, keep it watered.

 

I've heard of that but I just saw some seeds for sale on ebay that's the reason I asked.

Do you think if I pulled some from the tub I currently have and re potted it the remainder would regenerate? I don't want to leave the tub I currently have looking daft with a lump missing. lol

 

Are you a Mr. Zen or a Mrs. Zen? Just wondering.

Just rip out a piece: the rest regenerates like amoebas.

 

"if I pulled some from the tub I currently have and re potted it the remainder would regenerate?"

Yes!

Pull out a chunk or two, with a good amount of root, stick it in a pot. You will have new bamboo a-plenty.

 

Very much a Mr Zen. lol

Thanks for the advise guys I shall give it a go. Just how much shall I pull off?

 

If you want to play things safe, divide the bamboo, rather than pulling a piece off the mother plant.

Tip the whole plant out of the tub, preferably onto a plastic sheet to make things easier. You can then divide the whole plant in two, depending how congested the roots are. If very congested you might even be able to divide it in three. How you do this is up to you - with tough plants like grasses (bamboo included!) or big perennials, brute force may be required, but it does depend on how long your existing bamboo has been in it's pot. Brute force involves a spade and a garden fork to cut it in half! If it's smaller, you should be able to tease the plant apart into two.

Plant one half back in the pot (with some fresh compost) and the other half in it's new location. Water well and hey presto, another bamboo plant.

PS I assume the new profile pic is to prove you are a Mr Zen?:thumb: