Bamboo is a plant that belongs to the grass family. It is by far the biggest specie of grass in the world and has many uses. Many countries are growing bamboo commercially for the express purpose of harvesting and manufacturing bamboo products. Growing bamboo is predominant in Asia and some other parts of the world. Many countries in Asia cater to orders from around the world for bamboo raw materials or products. This makes growing bamboo profitable.

How Bamboo Grows

The bamboo plant is the fastest growing in the world and can grow a high a meter in just a span of 24 hours. The ease of growing bamboo is helped by the rate that the plant sends out roots to grow bamboo shoots. Bamboo shoots grow around the perimeter of the bamboo base and can multiply in one direction or spread out.

Growing bamboo plants can spread out in two types, namely sympodial and monopodial. Sympodial means that the roots of the bamboo stay within the original plant. Sympodial root growth is slow whereas monopodial roots tend to sprout shoots a few meters away from the original plant.

Growing bamboo from the seeds gathered when the plants flowers is also possible. This process may take time compared to growing bamboo from shoots that grow from an original plant. Seeds are easier to transport but shoots are virtually grown and seldom die. The viability of seeds from the bamboo flowers is around three to twelve months, and you would have to wait for the bamboo to flower before you can gather the seeds.

Some bamboo species flower every couple of decades while others have been known not to flower at all. Some species of bamboo are also known to die after they have flowered. Other species flower continuously for several months when they start to flower.

Many gardeners prefer growing bamboo from shoots also because they can already see from the shoots what kind of bamboo specie it is. Most bamboo species are also difficult to eliminate once they have taken root in open ground. Growing bamboo can entail years of tending because they are a hardy plant that can withstand warm and cold temperatures.

Growing bamboo from shoots just needs you to expose the plant to direct sunlight and regularly watering it. Most species of bamboo prefer direct sunlight compared to being indoors but you can bring in some smaller species indoors. Growing bamboo indoors may be more difficult than growing them outdoors.