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Tropical Zone Gardening: Tropical Plant Propagation

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Forum: Tropical Zone GardeningReplies: 32, Views: 311
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
07:49 PM

Post #6222198

Kea has been reading up on Bamboo! She is getting ready to help propagate several species of Bamboo to grow for timber, as well as for ornamental purposes.

Thumbnail by Metrosideros
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kimarj
(Kim) Philadelphi, PA
(Zone 6a)

March 04, 2009
07:55 PM

Post #6222223

funneeee :-)
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
08:06 PM

Post #6222289

Bamboo such as this Tropical clumper, Schizostachyum glaucifolium, Hawaiian 'Ohe, are being divided to make more plants.

Hawaiian 'Ohe is used to make musical instruments such as flutes and chimes.

Thumbnail by Metrosideros
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
08:20 PM

Post #6222358

Here are divided culms & rhizomes of a Dendrocalamus, ready to be potted.

I think it is Dendrocalamus strictus. Dendrocalamus species are good for timber and their edible shoots.

Thumbnail by Metrosideros
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
08:35 PM

Post #6222434

Here are various Bamboo starts filling out their pots and getting ready for the field.

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JPlunket
Vieques, PR

March 04, 2009
08:52 PM

Post #6222507

Do they produce any runners? How quickly do you expect them to grow into proper clumps?
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
08:59 PM

Post #6222556

This is so exciting that Ku is thinking about getting involved!

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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
09:19 PM

Post #6222654

On the left is Pleioblastus pygmaeus, the World's smallest bamboo. Right, is what I think is Sasaella masamuneana 'Albostriata'.

As they are running bamboo, they will be divided and grown in pots for ornamental purposes. Planted in the ground they become invasive.

Thumbnail by Metrosideros
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
09:36 PM

Post #6222727

Shibatea kumasaca is another ornamental runner that will have to be kept in pots.

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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
10:01 PM

Post #6222840

Besides rhizome division, bamboo can be propagated by seed.

Left is Bambusa vulgaris. Right is Dendrocalamus strictus.

It takes much longer to get large bamboo plants from seed, than by rhizome division, but is much easier to start a large amount of plants at one time.

Thumbnail by Metrosideros
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
10:23 PM

Post #6222938

One more way of propagating bamboo is by cutting. This is a time consuming method but works if you are careful with the plant.

On the left are culm cuttings from Dendrocalamus membranaceous. Easy as they have adventicious roots!
Top right is a Bambusa species; bottom is a running rhizome cutting from Phyllostachys aurea.

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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
10:39 PM

Post #6223011

Working with bamboo is not just fun; it is entertaining for family and friends!

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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA

March 04, 2009
10:49 PM

Post #6223047

I really do admire the poster's in the "extreme" tropic's posting pic's with added information as well.

The only place that I have visited in the Hawaiian island's is waikiki. I really enjoyed learning some of the culture on my stay there but unfortunately did not have the time to look into much of the local flora/foliage.

I have read that Oahu is extremely beautiful?

I am enjoying your thread.

Rachel.
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
11:45 PM

Post #6223308

If there is still interest, here is Bambusa ventricosa, Buddha Belly Bamboo. It is used to make fine furniture.
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 04, 2009
11:53 PM

Post #6223338

The picture missed; here it is!

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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 05, 2009
05:50 AM

Post #6223840

Hey JP, there are running bamboo (Phyllostachys, Sasa, Pleioblastus, etc.) and clumping bamboo (Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Guadua, etc.).
The runners will not stay where they're put so are best grown in pots, or the larger ones can be grown in a contained area.
The clumpers stay where they are placed, but usually need lots of space because they get huge.
Braveheartsmom
Kihei, HI
(Zone 11)

March 05, 2009
10:43 AM

Post #6224472

Aloha!

Interesting thread Dave, what are Kea and Ku planing on doing with the bamboo? We have a guy on Maui - Pa'ia way - who is trying to start his own business building homes with bamboo. I haven't seen any that he has built, but I bet they are beautiful.

I believe there is a bamboo forest somewhere near Hana that has a trail that you can walk through. The bamboo there is reported to be 60 feet tall! Imagine the sound of the wind blowing through - it must be lovely!

lourspolaire
Delray Beach, FL
(Zone 10a)

March 05, 2009
12:36 PM

Post #6224912

I love bamboo, specially the timber species. There are quite a few thickets of them at Morikami Gardens here in Delray Beach. The wind blowing through is indeed just lovely. Love-struck couples sculpt their initials in the bark (idiots) but still, it is an impressive sight when the trunks are 5 to 6 inches in diameter.

Only 3 nights away from my next cruise. I can't wait.
Take care, all.
Sylvain, a.k.a. as Pu'ole..
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia

March 07, 2009
04:18 AM

Post #6232495

Our native bamboo (an endemic), Bambusa arnhemica, flowers and produces seed after about 80 years and then dies. The big flowering occured about 3 years ago, and the last stragglers flowered this wet season. Little kids now will be very old before they get a chance to see a flowering.

I've got a fine, climbing bamboo at home and Dendrocalamus asper that I've planted. There were about 4 or 5 other species on the property but don't know the species. One is huge but useless as a timber, very brittle when dry. But makes a lot of noise in the wind as it's very tall, about 15 metres. This is a photo with a 10-11 foot size thrown in for comparison.

Thumbnail by tropicbreeze
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AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)

March 07, 2009
02:31 PM

Post #6234119

GREAT thread, Dave... 'the kids' look like they are having a blast helping you!

Carol
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)

March 10, 2009
12:42 AM

Post #6245788

I love it, as I always learn something new! Thanks, Dave! And your dogs are such good helpers!
Texasgal77
Baytown, TX
(Zone 9a)

March 11, 2009
07:35 PM

Post #6253454

Great thread! Your dogs are adorable! I too love bamboo. We have a large pole that was given to us that my DS is thinking about making me a water feature out of.

He was getting some palm fronds a couple of years ago to make our hut in the backyard, and the homeowner asked him what he was doing, so he told him, so the guy just asked DS if he wanted the bamboo, so DS said, "Sure, thanks!"

I love anything "tropical" or that is a reminder of our time spent on Oahu! (Oh, for Home Sweet Home! If it was only for 2 yrs 8 mos, 43 years ago April 1st !)

My daughter and family are there this week for Spring Break! I could not go this time...ahhhhhhhhhh, wiping the tears back...OK that's a little dramatic maybe! HaHa! I'm trying to stay busy with the dollhouse and miniatures and be GLAD that my grandchildren could see where I used to live when I was "their age" literally. And why their NANA is so crazy to have a hut in the back "jungle" of plants with Tiki torches stuck everywhere! OK so the tears aren't "drama", they are just because I am so "homesick"! Being able to talk to y'all has been such a big help. Most of the kids I grew up with don't live there now either. Our little group are scattered literally from coast to coast of the mainland and everywhere in between!

I will get to go back and visit again...Someday! It's just that I know if I ever got there I wouldn't want to eva leave again! Living there was truly a "sacred" experience! I will cherish it forever!

Jeanne
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)

March 12, 2009
01:45 AM

Post #6254984

Bamboo is not only beautiful...but useful: here it is in an experiment by the University of HI at Hilo Aguaculture students...to grow strawberries hydroponically. There IS circulating water and holes cut thru the nodal chambers.

Thumbnail by AlohaHoya
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AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)

March 12, 2009
01:46 AM

Post #6254988

And here is a novel use...no water circulation...growing lettuce.

Thumbnail by AlohaHoya
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Texasgal77
Baytown, TX
(Zone 9a)

March 12, 2009
02:18 AM

Post #6255025

Amazing! Cool! Two more ideas of things that we could do with ours! Thanks!
RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA

March 12, 2009
08:50 AM

Post #6255465

What neat use's for the bamboo.

Thank's AlohaHoya, for sharing .

Rachel

pogonantha
el arish, FNQ
Australia

March 12, 2009
07:57 PM

Post #6258375

Dave, Have you tried any of the Blacks from cutting? Some seem easier than others and Timor Black seems not to go easily. I've started leaving them in a tray with kelp water to promote growth. Any other suggestions? thanks, Ann
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 12, 2009
09:19 PM

Post #6258827

Hi Ann, A good method for propagating Bambusa lako is to make air layers before you take a cutting.
This is done by wrapping up a node with branches in peat moss and covering it with plastic till roots are produced. To speed up the process, you can drill a hole in the culm section above the node being air layered and fill the culm with water.
Another accelerator is to soak the peat moss in a fulvic acid solution before you make the air layer.

Cuttings that you have in a tray can be treated with fulvic acid to speed up root production. Make sure that the hollow culms above the nodes are filled with water.

Aloha, Dave
pogonantha
el arish, FNQ
Australia

March 12, 2009
10:04 PM

Post #6259066

Thanks Dave, I'll try it. It'll start getting cooler soon so it's the last month that I can pot up cuttings of beehive gingers, costus and bamboo :)
Ann
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)

March 13, 2009
11:51 AM

Post #6261158

What a wonderful idea, Carol! Now I want a bamboo!

I am amazed at the wealth of info I can receive here! You guys are my most valuable reference!
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)

March 13, 2009
05:06 PM

Post #6262345

Dave...where does one get fulvic acid and how do you use it for rooting...sounds like something I want to know about...:>)
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI

March 13, 2009
07:46 PM

Post #6263016

Hi Carol, Fulvic acid is the most active component found in humus. To use it for rooting, you simply add a couple of tablespoons to a gallon of water and soak the cutting with it. If the plant already has roots you may add it to a nutrient mix and apply it to plants; it is proven to aid a plant in absorption of nutrients by 30%. It has shown remarkable results on everything I put it on except for palms.

In Hilo, fulvic acid is available, least expensively, at Ohana Greenhouse Hilo, 811 Laukapu Street, #5. Ph# (808) 961-3111.
There is a sale there; 15% off everything in the store, which tomorrow is the last day.
They charge about $15 per quart.

Garden Exchange also carries it, but much more expensively.

They (Ohana Greenhouse) also sell Maxicrop and most other organics with mycorrhizae, ect., less expensive than other stores. It's a little whole in the wall outlet, so be careful not to drive right by the place, it's easy to miss!
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI
(Zone 11)

March 13, 2009
08:10 PM

Post #6263128

Thanks Dave...I know it well. I buy my hydroton there...should be in town tomorrow so will drop by!!! Thanks so much!

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