Bamboo Propagation

you are cutting is at least a year old. Immature ones can work, but you’ll get fewer successful starts from them. I’ve also found the thicker culms tend to work a little better then the thin ones. I try to use ones that are at least an inch thick. Of course, if your bamboo clump is more than a year old all of them will be over an inch thick. Cut just below the lowest knuckle that has a branch coming out of it. If there is no branch coming off it there is no reason to cut it off

(unless your just a bit obsessive, then go ahead). If you leave the lower branchless part intact I’ve found they eventuallygrow branches themselves. More cuttings, Yea!

Next, cut each knuckle off. I cut about 2 inches

both above and below the joint to try and avoid splitting into it. As I cut off each one I usually clean up the knuckle before putting it in the bucket. I try to find the branch that seems the healthiest (not to long, not too short, with no brown or damaged areas) and cut all the branches but that one off. I’m not sure if it makes a big difference but my theory is that having only one branch will need fewer roots to sustain it. And since your cutting will not have any root… you get the idea. Also, the further up the culm you go, the thinner the culm gets. Remember, less then and inch and they don’t “take” as well. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from using them (I am a bit obsessive myself).The Soak

          As you finish each "node" place it in the bucket of

Miracle Grow and water. Occasionally I do all my cutting and cleaning first and then put them in the bucket all atonce. This usually happens when I forget to make up my bucket of water. I've never let them soak for more than about three hours so I'm not sure what that would do. Probably nothing, but you never know.

The Planting

               I have tried planting the "nodes" straight into the ground but have found it much harder to control the water level in the soil. In a pot (the black nursery pots work fine) I can keep the soil wet for the first month or so until the roots start, so that is what I suggest.

               Fill up enough pots with soil so that you can get 3-4 nodes per pot in them. Even with the 80%+ survival rate I get with my cuttings you will still

on both ends of the cutting as well). This will really help to establish the root system in the shortest possible time. The bamboo is much easier to care for once it has a good root system. Once all the nodes are planted in soil I take the bucket of Miracle Grow and evenly water all the pots. Again, just to make the rooting a little easer. That isn't usually enough water to make all the soil wet so after that I soak the pots with the hose.                  The Maintaining

I live in Florida and in the summer we get rain almost every day, so watering is pretty easy, but in the winter it can get very dry. For the first month or so I make sure to soak the pots every day, even if I know it's going to rain. When it rains, very little falls directly into the pots, so they still need watering.  If you allow them to dry out before there is enough of a root system for the nodes to find and store water it will die. Just like that. If you live somewhere that is a bit cooler I imagine you won't have to water quite as often.

Done?

It takes at least 4 months before the cuttings are ready to transfer out of the pot, usually a bit longer. I know it sounds like a long process, and it pretty much is. But instead of digging up a couple of rhizomes and transferring only one or two plants, when your done with your cuttings, you'll have dozens of plant ready to landscape willi nilli. Have Fun!