Bamboo is a species of plant belonging to the grasses(Poaceae). This grass is hardy and, like almost all other grasses, has hollow stems. The bamboo plant is great for making specific sustainable products, but in addition it can also serve as a (house) plant. If the bamboo is used for human purposes, it is useful to consider the difference between different types of bamboo. We distinguish between two types of bamboo: proliferating and non-proliferating bamboo.
Weedy species of bamboo such as Phyllostachys, Pseudosasa and Sasa grow using underground vertical shoots, occupying a large area of land. Therefore, when the bamboo is planted in a domestic environment, it is desirable to install a bamboo limiter. Non-growing bamboo continues to grow in the same spot, causing less to no nuisance to road traffic or neighbors. The most well-known non-growing bamboo species is Fargesia Murieliae. This is a suitable bamboo species for gardening, for example. Below is the necessary information on proliferating and non-proliferating bamboo and planting here.
Weedy bamboo
Weedy bamboo forms underground shoots, also called rhizomes. These offshoots do not grow very deep into the ground, but they can spread very far horizontally. These offshoots create new bamboo shoots. In the case of proliferating bamboo oorts even years after the first bamboo shoot grows out, a new plant can emerge meters away.
In the wild, this is beneficial. Whereas an initial bamboo shoot must fight for its place in the soil to get all the nutrients, subsequent bamboo shoots can use the network of underground roots. So it happens that from a small limp bamboo plant of a proliferating bamboo species, new and stronger bamboo plants grow several years later. Because of the vertically spreading rhizomes, a bamboo forest may be created entirely from only one underground bamboo rhizome.
However, proliferating bamboo is less advantageous to plant in the garden or on the balcony. The bamboo species grows uncontrollably, and is so strong and fast that it is difficult to control. It is therefore wise to purchase a bamboo limiter when proliferating bamboo is placed in the garden. An example of a proliferating bamboo species is the previously mentioned Phyllostachys. Other common proliferating bamboo species are the Pseudo Sasa and the Sasa. Phyllostachys aurea and Pseudosasa japonica also belong to the non-growing plant species bamboo.
Non-growing bamboo
Unlike proliferating bamboo, non proliferating bamboo species do not grow offshoots and grow from a compact clump. A tussock is a u-shaped rhizome that develops upward. These new rhizomes arise from shoots on an existing rhizome. This encourages the shoots to multiply within the existing surface area, giving the bamboo pollen a clumpy shape.
In general, non proliferating bamboo species can withstand drought better than proliferating bamboo species. Compared to the proliferating bamboo, the non proliferating bamboo species can dig fairly deep and therefore live in shady conditions. This root system develops in a compressed root ball and grows gradually, usually not more than a few centimeters per year. Thus, with non-growing bamboo species, no root limiter is needed to keep the bamboo together.
Non-growing bamboo species grow from a tussock upwards. This tussock grows as the bamboo also grows larger and older. That is, when a non-spreading bamboo plant grows, the tussock under the ground also grows larger in a concentrated location. This is roughly comparable to the growth of trees: as the bamboo grows older, so does the concentrated tussock under the ground. There are several species of bamboo that are categorized as non-spreading bamboo species, such as the Fargesia Murieliae, Bambusa and Borinda, for example.
Fargesia is the most commonly used bamboo species. There are few plants that can hide unwanted views and obtrusiveness from view so quickly and effectively. Fargesia is a fine-leaved bamboo species that grows in stakes and does not proliferate. Moreover, it is a bamboo species that can be used along the pond, as a beautiful hedge and in pots.
Bamboo plants
Bamboo is a popular garden plant, particularly because of its rapid growth and long thin stems. Some bamboo is suitable for planting in a more tropical climate, while others are suitable for a more urban environment. For example, non-spreading bamboo works well as a natural partition. Weedy bamboos are more difficult to control, and if a bamboo limiter is not used, they quickly grow out of control. When rampant bamboo gets out of control, it is very difficult to remove.
Most species of bamboo thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Most soil types are sufficient for planting bamboo, but some do better in acidic soil. Also, most species of bamboo like sun, but some non-spreading bamboo plants such as the Sasa, can be grown in shade. It is most beneficial to plant bamboo in the spring to encourage the development of sturdy roots and canes before the bamboo goes dormant in the fall.
There are several reasons to plant bamboo: to create height, to build a beautiful hedge, to form a divide or to cover a wall. The advantage of bamboo plants over (ornamental) grasses, for example, is that bamboo generally maintains its fresh green color throughout the year. Grasses remain green only on rare occasions, in a mild winter. After this, they must be cut back lengthwise, losing some of the privacy. Bamboo does not require pruning: it is only desirable to occasionally remove some dry leaves from between the plants.
All in all, all types of bamboo can be divided into two categories: proliferating and non-proliferating bamboo. These two types of bamboo differ in the way they grow. Evergreen bamboo does not grow as deep into the ground and vertically, so multiple bamboo plants can grow from one bamboo rhizome for years to come for miles around. In contrast, non-spreading bamboo grows deeper into the ground and is concentrated in one spot, creating a concentrated group of bamboo stalks. Therefore, non-spreading bamboo is most beneficial when one wants to plant bamboo by itself in the garden or on the balcony.
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