Most bamboo species produce seeds about once in a man's life, while others only produce seeds for a few years. Therefore, there are not many possibilities to plant bamboo and it is worthwhile to inquire to proceed in the most correct way. If you have the opportunity, here you will find the steps to get the most out of any bamboo seed you have procured.
Steps
Step 1. Purchase or prepare a mini-greenhouse with peat pellets for planting seedlings
You will find everything you need in nurseries or garden stores.
Step 2. Place a layer of peat in a flat-bottomed cake pan
Boil some water and slowly pour it over the peat to swell it. Boiling water not only works better to make it expand, but it also has a sterilizing capacity that helps reduce the failure rate of the seedbed. Repeat this step until all the peat you need is treated this way.
Step 3. Return the peat balls to the mini-greenhouse
Depending on how wet it is, you may need to leave the top off for a couple of days to let it dry out a bit. It doesn't have to be completely soaked and sadly peat absorbs water really well. The ideal is that it is moist, but not wet.
Step 4. Soak the seeds for 24 hours in water at about 30 ° C
Make sure it's not too hot, as temperatures above 40 ° C can kill the seeds. Colder temperatures, however, will not harm the seeds, however they can delay germination for a couple of days.
Step 5. Use a skewer or stick to make the top of the peat ball accessible
Step 6. Place only one seed in the center of each clod
Since bamboo seeds are rare and expensive, you won't want to risk putting two sprouting into the same ball and losing one.
Step 7. Add a small amount of "mixed seed potting" soil over the top of the seeds
A layer 2 to 5 millimeters high is sufficient.
Step 8. Place the mini-greenhouse in a moderately shaded location
If the outside temperature is cold, an east-facing window is fine, while in warmer temperatures you can choose a moderately shaded outdoor location. Note: Whichever location you choose, the mini-greenhouse shouldn't get too much direct sun. Strong sun can cause the temperature to rise rapidly by killing the seeds.
Step 9. Check the greenhouse every day, because the peat balls can dry quickly once the water from the main soak evaporates
Before the seeds germinate, they can survive if they sometimes run out of moisture. However, as soon as they sprout, they can die within hours if they dry out completely. When the peat starts to dry out too much, use a nebulizer to moisten it again. An abundant spray may be required to moisten the inside of the clods.
Step 10. You will be able to see a sprout appear within 10 days of planting, although most germination will take at least 15 to 20 days
Different species have different germination times, so don't be disappointed too soon.
Step 11. If any of the sprouts get tall enough to touch the plastic greenhouse lid, while others are overdue, lift the lid as necessary to prevent the leaves from touching it
In contact with the lid, the leaves will rot quickly and there is a risk that the seedling will die.
Step 12. After about 30 days, most of the seeds treated with this method will have germinated
Transplant all healthy shoots into half-liter pots using the steps outlined below. However, don't abandon the rest of the seeds just yet, as others may sprout if conditions change.
Step 13. Mix good potting soil with about 50% bark mulch
This will make the potting soil very draining, which is great for bamboo.
Step 14. Put some (minimum 1cm) of this mix into the jars
Step 15. Move any sod that has a sprout into a pot and fill it so that there is at least 6mm of topsoil on top of the peat
Step 16. Give the jars a good dose of water
Since the drainage is really good, don't worry about overdoing the watering.
Step 17. Place these pots in an open place with about 50% shade
They should never receive direct sunlight for more than a few minutes at a time. Now, these seedlings are well underway. You'll likely lose another 10% for no clear reason, but the rest will have a good chance of coming to maturity.
Step 18. Return to the tray with the remaining seeds that have not germinated and put away the plastic lid
Save it for future use if you want, but these seeds and seedlings no longer need it.
Step 19. If the mini-greenhouse tray has a removable plastic liner that helps settle the pellets, take it out and drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the unlined tray
Step 20. Return all the turf sods to the tray without the lining
Distribute them more or less evenly and place them as before, with the seeds facing up.
Step 21. Cover all clods with potting soil mix
Cover the top of the balls about 5mm.
Step 22. Place this tray outside in the sun, checking it every day to keep it moist but not too wet
Due to the removal of the lid and the increased insolation, expect to have to water almost every day. It is probably useful to use a normal watering can at this point, in order to give normal doses of water.
Step 23. It is to be hoped that you will see a new set of seedlings pop up
They will start growing after a few weeks. As soon as these seem ready, go back to step 12 and transplant them.
Advice
- Compared to overgrown soil, rock wool, sand and combinations of all these materials, peat is by far the most effective all other things being equal. It often happens that you damage the fragile roots of the shoots as you separate them from the potting soil, but peat avoids this problem too, which makes it perfect for bamboo.
- It's hard to keep peat from getting soggy when you swell it. Try to put in just enough water to get it wet without saturating it. And keep in mind that it doesn't have to be fully swollen to be a good breeding ground.
- eBay is often a good source for seeds, although you need to be aware of where they come from (see the first warning below). Alternatively, join the bamboo-related groups that you can find at https://groups.yahoo.com. Many amateur gardeners are happy to share their seeds with novice gardeners.
Warnings
- For the first winter in colder climates, the seedlings will need shelter. Transplant the seedlings into the ground and cover them with about 5cm of mulch. Do not put more, as it would encourage the mice to settle and then eat the tops of the bamboo.
- In very cold climates or for less resistant species, it may be necessary to keep the seedlings indoors or in a greenhouse during the winter. However, remember that seedlings need water even in the cold season, so it's not enough to just put them in a greenhouse and forget them!
- For the second phase of the transplant, when the clods are covered with earth, pay particular attention to avoid damaging the roots. The earth gives them the opportunity to extend their roots.
- The import of products made with dead bamboo, including stubs, is illegal in some countries due to the need to control the spread of bamboo parasites and / or diseases. Make sure you comply with all applicable laws when procuring bamboo seeds.
- Expect no more than 30% of the seeds to actually sprout. And don't worry if 20% of these die soon after popping out of the ground. You also need not worry if 10% or more of the transplanted seedlings progressively turn brown and die. Unfortunately, this is normal for many bamboo species. If you can get 2 healthy plants for every 10 seeds you plant, you are doing well. For some species the result is even worse than this.
