Buzz
Growing bamboo from seeds is quite challenging, but the results are well worth the effort. To begin, purchase bamboo seeds from a reliable supplier. Next, prepare and soak the seed starter pellets. After sowing the bamboo seeds into the pellets, you'll notice the plants sprouting relatively quickly. In about a month, you can transplant the young bamboo plants into pots and keep them there until you decide to move them to a more spacious area in your garden.
Steps
Set Up a Greenhouse
Purchase a mini indoor greenhouse for seedlings. You can buy a greenhouse kit from gardening supply companies. They can provide everything you need to grow bamboo from seeds. The greenhouse kit typically includes a tray, several seed starter pellets, labeling tags, and a cover to create a greenhouse effect. This method is highly effective for growing bamboo seedlings indoors year-round. You don't necessarily need a greenhouse specifically designed for bamboo. Mini greenhouse kits come in various sizes, ranging from 6 plants to 70 plants. A 50-plant kit measures approximately 28cm x 28cm. Your chances of success increase if you choose a kit with enough space for 50 or more plants. Once you purchase the greenhouse, you'll notice each pellet is already placed in a compartment, meaning the greenhouse is pre-prepared and requires minimal additional setup.
Soak the pellets until they are half-submerged in water. Pour water into the tray until it reaches halfway up the pellets. Adjust the amount of water depending on the number of pellets you are using. It’s fine if the tops of the pellets get wet during this process, as long as the water level covers half of each pellet.
- Refer to the diagram and instructions on the packaging before watering or planting. Some greenhouse kits are even designed for automatic watering. You might need to fill a large container with water, which will then supply moisture to the mat beneath the pellets, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Another option is to remove the pellets and place them in a rectangular metal baking tray. Pour boiling water into the tray until the pellets are half-submerged. The high temperature will help sterilize the pellets.
- The ideal water temperature for soaking the pellets is 10-15°C. You can also use distilled water to minimize contaminants.
Wait 5-10 minutes for the pellets to absorb the water. Observe as the pellets begin to absorb water almost immediately. Ensure the pellets expand fully in their compartments, adding more water if any pellets haven’t fully expanded. Once the pellets are fully expanded, take the tray to the sink and pour out any remaining water.
- Your goal is to moisten the pellets without oversaturating them to prevent them from breaking apart.
Sow the Seeds
Purchase bamboo seeds from a reliable seller. Speak with local gardening centers about ordering bamboo seeds. In the U.S., bamboo seeds can sometimes be hard to find, as they may require quarantine if imported from abroad. Once you’ve acquired the seeds, plant them as soon as possible to increase their chances of survival.
- It’s a good idea to buy more seeds than the number of plants you intend to grow. This increases your chances of success, even if some seeds fail to germinate.
- Only purchase seeds from sellers who can provide documentation proving they have followed quarantine regulations.
Soak the bamboo seeds in water for a day. Pour water at around 30°C into a shallow glass container. Place the seeds in the water and let them sit for 12-24 hours. This step stimulates the seeds to begin germination and improves their chances of success.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure the water isn’t too hot; otherwise, the seeds may cook and fail to sprout.
- If you don’t have a container, you can place the seeds in a plastic bag filled with water.
- Keep the soaking container in a warm place to prevent the temperature from dropping too quickly. You can also cover the container to retain warmth longer.
Plant one seed in the center of each pellet. Use a wooden stick to create a small hole at the top of each pellet, then place a single seed in the middle. Gently press the pellet down with your finger to ensure the seed is fully covered.
Transplanting Seedlings
Place the greenhouse in a spot with indirect sunlight for 12-16 hours. This is the minimum light requirement for seeds to grow into seedlings. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent the risk of burning the seeds. Keep the lid on to maintain warmth inside the greenhouse.
- Grow lights can also provide warmth for the seedlings. Hang an incandescent bulb at least 60 cm away to avoid burning the plants. If using a fluorescent bulb, keep it about 15 cm above the greenhouse.
Water the pellets daily until they are moist. Stop watering if you notice water pooling on the surface, and reduce the amount next time. Note that each pellet may require a different amount of water daily. You should see sprouts emerging from the soil about 10 days after planting.
Maggie Moran
Gardening Specialist
Gardening Specialist
Did you know? Bamboo grows incredibly fast! It only takes 1-3 weeks for the sprouts to emerge above the surface.
Open the greenhouse lid when the sprouts start touching it. Once the tops of the plants reach the lid, it’s time to remove it. The trapped heat inside a closed greenhouse can actually scorch the young sprouts.
Transfer the seedlings to larger pots after 30 days. You’ll need an 8-liter pot for every 3 seedling pellets. Fill the pot halfway with potting soil, then add a layer of bark mulch to fill the remaining half. Dig a hole in the soil slightly wider than the pellet. Gently lift each pellet and place it into the prepared hole.
- You can place multiple pellets in one pot, as long as they don’t touch each other.
- Even if no sprouts are visible, you can still plant the pellets and hope they grow in time.
- Cover the pellets with about 10 cm of potting soil.
Place the pots in a location that receives at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight daily. Prolonged direct sunlight can scorch young bamboo plants, so ensure they get a balance of sun and shade. You may need to move the pots around to ensure they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight.
- Healthy bamboo seedlings will have a light green color. If they turn yellow or brown, it means they’ve been exposed to too much sun.
Planting Mature Bamboo
Transplant the bamboo from pots to an outdoor location in fall or winter. Use a shovel to dig a hole about twice the width of the pot and as deep as the pot’s depth. Mix the excavated soil with potting soil in a 50-50 ratio. Gently loosen the soil around the plant in the pot and carefully remove it. Place the plant into the prepared hole.
- Look for outdoor-specific potting soil, which is denser than standard potting soil.
Water newly planted bamboo 2-3 times a week. Bamboo thrives in moist but well-draining soil. If water pools on the surface, the plant may begin to rot.
- Test the soil’s drainage by observing it after rain. If water doesn’t drain and remains pooled, the area may not be ideal for planting.
Remove pests by hand or use pesticides. Some pests, like aphids, are easily visible on bamboo. Simply pick off these small green bugs by hand and spray pesticide to prevent their return. Other pests, such as scale insects, may resist pesticides. In such cases, a strong stream of water can dislodge them from the plant.
Keep the area around the plant clean to prevent disease. Before watering, clear away dead leaves and debris from the ground. These can harbor harmful fungi, which may lead to root rot. Additionally, avoid overwatering, as fungi thrive in damp soil.
- If the bamboo stem feels soft and damp to the touch, it may be rotting. Dig it up to prevent the fungus from spreading.
Tips
- If your first attempt at planting seeds doesn't succeed, try again. You might need to switch to a different seed supplier or experiment with varying levels of light and water.
Warning
- When purchasing seeds, ensure you buy from a legally operating supplier. Otherwise, you risk buying seeds that may not be safe due to potential disease risks.
What you need
- Bamboo seeds
- Rectangular tray
- Greenhouse box
- Water
- Potting soil
- Bark mulch
- Planting pots
