A question about bamboo

Estrato · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 07:35 PM

I got a couple bamboo plants from petsmart and they both have smaller plants growing out of them. The main chute isnt growing at all, but if I cut the plant off thats sprouting out of it and plant it then it will take root right? Will the main chute grow more plants out of it?

harrywitmore · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 08:06 PM

I suspect you are actually speaking of some species of Dracaena. One the terminal bud of most of these plants either dies or is cut off, the plant will sprout from dormant buds below the cut. So, the answer is most likely yes. Tip cuttings also di very well in this genus. It was interesting that they make fences by doing this very thing in Panama. I think they use D fragrans or one much like it.

Estrato · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

I suspect you are actually speaking of some species of Dracaena. One the terminal bud of most of these plants either dies or is cut off, the plant will sprout from dormant buds below the cut. So, the answer is most likely yes. Tip cuttings also di very well in this genus. It was interesting that they make fences by doing this very thing in Panama. I think they use D fragrans or one much like it.

Thanks for the reply, Im gonna cut and replant later tonight. How do they make fences with that method?

harrywitmore · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 08:47 PM

They cut the plant in about 5 foot sections and bury one end in the ground. They space them about 1' apart or closer. They root so easily, they end up with a living fence in no time. I can't seem to find the article I had seen on it. It was cool to see.

Estrato · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

They cut the plant in about 5 foot sections and bury one end in the ground. They space them about 1' apart or closer. They root so easily, they end up with a living fence in no time. I can't seem to find the article I had seen on it. It was cool to see.

Thats pretty cool. So when you said tip cuttings, you mean I could cut the sprouting parts into pieces and get them to root?

harrywitmore · #6 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 09:30 PM

What I mean is you can take a cutting from the tip of the plant. Say a few inches. This can be rooted. Most Dracaena will root from small stem cuttings also. Dracaena is what they make 'Heavenly Bamboo' from. So, you can see how small the cuttings can be and how easily they root.

Estrato · #7 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

What I mean is you can take a cutting from the tip of the plant. Say a few inches. This can be rooted. Most Dracaena will root from small stem cuttings also. Dracaena is what they make 'Heavenly Bamboo' from. So, you can see how small the cuttings can be and how easily they root.

Oh ok I gotcha. Thanks for the help, now im off to plant

Frogtofall · #8 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 11:53 PM

Harry, are you saying that these root from leaf tip cuttings? I didn't know that!

harrywitmore · #9 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 11:32 AM

Noooo.

stem tip cuttings. Sorry for the confusion. But, you never know. You wouldn't think Eucomis would root from leaves but it does and does very easily. But, I suspect that most Dracaena species are too thin.

Omead · #10 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 11:49 AM

Cool! That makes me want to try that out for fun. I can maybe make a miniature bamboo forest