How to Grow Bamboo Cuttings
Growing bamboo cuttings is a very popular bamboo propagation methods because it's fast, simple, economical, and it doesn't require a lot of space. Thick-walled bamboo species have prominent primary branches. These branches can be extracted without damaging the mother clump and are often (depending on the bamboo species) an excellent planting material.
Growing Bamboo from Cuttings
Bamboo Branch Cuttings
Photo by: Stéphane Schröder © www.guaduabamboo.com
Select a culm and trim the primary branches. Branches should preferably be cut at a young to intermediate maturity (1-2 years) to guarantee a high survival rate. Discard the top portion leaving 2-3 nodes and the basal swell. These bamboo cuttings are usually around 30cm long.
Alternatively (to give faster results) dip the bamboo cuttings in a growth regulator mixture or rooting hormone for 24 hours, and seal the top cut end with wax to prevent desiccation.
Plant the bamboo cuttings vertically (preferably in a slight angle), either in poly bags or raised beds in such a way that the rhizomatous swelling and one node remain below the soil surface and at least one or two nodes above the surface.
Keep the poly bags under partial shade (agro shade nets provide 75% shade) and water the soil daily.
The first sprouting and rooting may already appear 3-5 weeks after planting. However you should leave the bamboo plants in the poly bags for another 6 months to maximum 1 year until fully rooted. The new bamboo plants will then be ready for transplanting in the next rainy season.
