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Starting bamboo from seeds

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:32 pm
by Ren_Kagome
Hey guys, I have a quick question. I'm planning to start new Moso bamboo from seeds this spring. Would it be smart to start them outside, so I wouldn't have to harden them later? Should I order more seeds if I'm starting them outside?
We have quite a cold climate here. Winters can get over
-12°c but the plants could stay indoors during that time.

Re: Starting bamboo from seeds

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:52 am
by Tarzanus
Starting Moso from seeds is quite hard and also rewarding when you get a plant that is ready to survive. Some of the seedling just refuse to live. Hardening was not an issue for me. I just placed them outside whenever temperature got above 10°C during the spring and sun was not at it's full strength. They hardened enough so I was able to try full sun location when I placed them outside. I would rather pick a bit shadier location if I would be growing them again, especially during the summer. I would not advise starting them outside for various reasons. First, they would be much smaller when the winter arrives. Second, you will have to bring them in for the winter and they HATE being inside (except as young seedlings, they don't care about that yet). They need dormancy period during the winter. Third, bot not last, you can easily check on them inside. Outside, they will get eaten, dry out, could get flooded, turned over, stomped on.. I would definitely start indoors.

Anything lower than -8°C will be way too much while they are seedlings. Bringing them in for the winter works, but they do not appreciate it on the long run. I kept them outside and brought them into the basement (+10°C ) for a few days when it was too cold for them to handle. It works better for Phyllostachys than moving them in for the winter. I have lost at least one season with my variegated seedling because I got overly protective with my variegated seedlings.

Good luck! I'm sure you will need it. :) Check this forum for additional info about growing bamboo from seeds. You could also try reading a few posts regarding growing bamboo from seeds from my blog. You will have a lot of time before you tiny seedlings take off, believe me. :)