Bamboo is one of the most sustainable renewable resources; that’s why many people consider growing it. Not only that, but this plant is an excellent material when making furniture. It can be an excellent alternative to cedar, mahogany, and other popular hardwood lumbers. People desire bamboo plants because they can be used structurally for buildings, textiles, and as a food source. However, bamboo plants are not indestructible. Several factors can cause death to the plants, and before that happens, it is essential to know hot save a bamboo plant.
What is A Bamboo Plant?
Bamboos are grasses that belong to the large Poaceae plant family. However, they are classified as woody evergreen perennial. Specifically, the plant constitutes a subfamily of Bambusoideae, a grass family. This plant has been associated with the Orient, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and South America. Bamboo plants are easy to recognize because of their traits, including their hollow stems.
3 Types of Bamboo Plant
Some people think that bamboos are the same when in fact, there are different types of them. Among these include the following:
- Umbrella Bamboo
This bamboo type is usually desired by many because it is non-invasive, elegant, sturdy, hardy, and adaptable. The plant has green-yellow canes, while its foliage has a dainty look. As the plant grows, it gently arcs from its foliage’s weight, though it doesn’t snap or need staking. Since the Umbrella Bamboo proliferates quickly, it has a clump-forming habit, typically spreading to around four or five feet in width.
- Giant Bamboo
This bamboo type is characterized by its chunky, sturdy culms that can measure up to one foot in circumference. The canes start with a chalky white residue. As they age, the plant takes on a faded dark blue through to pale green color. Giant Bamboo proliferates at a fast rate which produces shoots that can grow 12 inches in just one day. This bamboo type is native to Thailand, Burma, and China.
- Buddha Belly Bamboo
This bamboo type is native to China. It got its name from its traits which include having lumpy internodes. People say these nodes resemble the bulging belly of Buddha; that’s why the bamboo was called Budha Belly Bamboo. This type is commonly used as an ornamental plant in containers. It thrives well in moist and fertile soil. However, if you’re going to make the plant’s culm bulges exaggerated, you have to keep it without fertilizer or in dry soil.
How to Save A Dying Bamboo Plant
Bamboo plants can develop yellow leaves or yellow stalks due to various reasons. To save the plant from dying, you need to assess first what causes the yellowing of the leaves. Remember that there are four possible causes for a lucky bamboo turning yellow outside of disease. This includes water, light, fertilizer, or temperature. To save the plant, you can propagate it by trying several propagation techniques. Make sure to test each of them to avoid wasting the plant.
Bamboo Care Guide
Suppose you want to have a landscape full of bamboos, you need the following tips to keep them thriving:
Light
Bamboo plants enjoy bright indirect light, but they can also tolerate low light conditions. It would be best to follow the ideal temperature, which has a 60 to 70-degree range,
Soil
Bamboo plants do not have to be planted in soil, but you can still do it if you want. However, make sure that the soil drains well. You also have to keep it moderately moist. Meaning it should not be soggy and desert dry. Also, never let your bamboo plant become water-logged.
Bamboo plants are unique plants because they provide several benefits. They also have a wide range of uses, making them ideal for construction, furniture, and crafts. Besides, they are easy to grow. However, bamboo plants also face problems like the yellowing of the leaves. To save the plant, you need to propagate it by cutting about an inch above a node. Once done, you have to dip the cut in rooting powder and let it dry overnight before placing it in a new container. Make sure to mist it every day that you can save it.