It's always a great pleasure to talk about our iconic plant, namely, bamboo. Faithful readers of our blog: L'Éco Mag know that it is customary at Bamboo Home Store to praise the benefits and uses of our star plant. Bamboo has significant ecological virtues. It grows without fertilizers or pesticides and at a speed that outpaces all competition, releases 30% more oxygen than an ordinary forest, is used in cosmetics, medicine, cooking, and in the making of many pieces of furniture, utensils, and accessories like those found in our collections.
But all that aside! How do you grow bamboo in the West? Is it possible?
In this article, we will try to answer these questions because if bamboo is finding its way into our homes, I’m sure some of you might want to grow it in their Japanese garden. So grab your spades and rakes, get ready, set, plant! 😉
The origins of bamboo
A little history never hurts. 🧐 The first bamboo species appeared during the time of the dinosaurs nearly 200 million years ago. It’s a relatively hardy plant, and little by little you’ll understand why.
Why do we call bamboo, BAMBOO? In case of combustion, the air present in the bamboo cane heats up, expands, and BAM! Then, as it escapes, the air blows and we hear BOUUUU... You get it? BAMBOO, of course... 😅
From a purely botanical point of view, bamboo belongs to the grass family just like: corn, rice, and cereals. There are nearly 2,300 bamboo species across 75 different genera.
Where does bamboo grow?
Bamboo grows naturally in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions around the world. It is not bothered by altitude, as it can be found at more than 3,000 meters above sea level in some areas. However, it does not grow naturally in Western Asia or Europe, but it can still be grown under certain conditions.
But here is a question that should be burning your lips as much as my fingers on my keyboard: can bamboo be grown in Europe?
The answer is yes! In fact, the first plantation in Europe appeared in 2014 in Italy and in 2019 in France in the Ain region. It is an Italian company called Onlymoso that cultivates more than 2,000 hectares to grow Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) for industrial and commercial purposes. What is the bamboo grown by this company used for? Well, its main market is edible bamboo shoots. Bamboo shoots are consumed by more than 2.5 billion people worldwide. Rich in nutrients, minerals, and amino acids, they are excellent for your health. 👌
Below is an interview with Mr. Prost Christian, a pioneer of giant bamboo in France:
Does bamboo grow fast?
Bamboo has enough to make our European firs, oaks, cypresses, and beeches green with envy because of its strength, flexibility, and rapid growth.
Indeed, some species can achieve the record of one meter per day (Phyllostachys edulis from Japan) Nevertheless, the average growth of bamboo is 75 to 400 millimeters per day, which is rare enough to be worth mentioning.
Which bamboo should you choose?
Bamboo is classified into 2 categories according to their morphology and their rhizomes.
- Running bamboos with leptomorph rhizomes (easier to contain)
- Non-running bamboos pachymorph rhizomes
Thanks to its hardy, exotic character and ease of care, bamboo is a huge success in our homes and gardens.
Indeed, bamboo in our gardens often serves as a privacy hedge because its density and opacity make it the perfect plant for gaining privacy.
The best-known variety for this is bamboo Fargesia. This non-running variety can be planted both in the ground and in pots on a terrace or a balcony.
Nandina domestica bamboo
More commonly called sacred bamboo it will bring a Japanese touch to your garden thanks to its flower panicles. Indeed, the colors of its foliage change with the seasons. Taoists consider it a sacred plant for its virtues and properties. This bamboo blooms in spring, when its white flowers appear before giving way to red berries in winter.For more details about this variety, visit the sacred bamboo growing guide.
Fargesia bamboo: where and when should you plant it?
This variety likes cool, well-drained soil. Except for the Fargesia Robusta variety, which loves the sun, choose a partly shaded area. You can just as easily plant your Fargesia bamboo in pots or in the ground, as a hedge or in a small grove. The spring season between March and May is ideal for putting it in the ground once the risk of frost has passed.
How do you plant Fargesia bamboo?
Here is how to plant Fargesia bamboo in 5 steps:
- Soak the root ball in a basin of water
- Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and add compost to your soil
- Place a layer of gravel at the bottom of the hole and cover with soil.
- Place your bamboo in the hole so that the crown is level with the soil
- Fill in, pack down, then water thoroughly
Lucky bamboo! An indoor bamboo
Now let’s look at the bamboo best suited for successful indoor decor. Among all the known varieties, we selected lucky bamboo more commonly called Lucky bamboo.
Note that Lucky bamboo is not part of the large bamboo family. Native to Africa, it only has the shape of bamboo.
However, Asians, and especially the Chinese, are fond of this plant, which tradition says brings good fortune to its owner.
How do you plant Lucky bamboo?
This plant must first develop roots in water before being potted. This process can take several months, but you can keep it that way indefinitely until the roots are sufficiently developed.
Exposure and care for Lucky bamboo?
Lucky bamboo does not like direct sunlight but still needs plenty of natural light. Erreur d'orthographe
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">Avoid placing it near a window in summer and too close to a radiator in winter. It is an ideal plant for bathrooms, provided your bathroom has enough natural light.Its care is fairly simple: remove faded stems and leaves as you go. If your Lucky bamboo is in water developing its roots, remember to change the water 1 to 2 times a month.
How to treat bamboo
You have planted your bamboo, but you notice that it is not growing at the advertised speed. You see its leaves turning yellow?
Here are 5 reasons that may explain why:
- Lack of nutrients
- Lack of water
- It has reached its maximum size
- Depending on its variety, lack of sunlight prevents its growth
- It does not grow because the ambient temperature is too high or too low
There may be many other reasons. To answer all your questions about planting and growing bamboo, I invite you to visit: Bamboo in France.
