How to care for indoor bamboo: an overview of undersized, miniature species

In nature, among bamboos, both grassy and lignified species are found. Some species are very tall - in nature they extend up to 40 m. Among indoor species, plants no higher than a meter are more popular.

Botanical Description

Bamboo grows in tropical climates. In nature, settles on the shores of reservoirs, on the sunny edges of tropical forests, loves felling. The plant is used for industrial purposes, for decorating flower beds and apartments.

The highest variety grows in India - it is Burmese bamboo. Its stems are tree-like, up to 20 cm thick, grow up to 40 m in height. Only low-growing, miniature species are used as potted crops.

As a houseplant, bamboo is valued for thin, straight stems with delicate, translucent greens. It looks good in compositions with plants that have large leaves. Indoor bamboo blooms very rarely: with small flowers in panicles, like all cereals. Its leaves are lanceolate or linear, petioles are short. Refers to monocarpic cultures - dies after flowering. In cultivation unpretentious, but not widely used.

What types are suitable for an apartment

Low-growing species of bamboo look impressive and elegant. The most common are four varieties.

1. Shiny bamboo (sasa nitida). Tall purple stems reach a height of three meters. It is grown in tubs, more often as a greenhouse plant.
2. Laminated bamboo (bambusa multiplex). One of the tallest indoor varieties - grows up to four meters. Height is adjusted by cropping the growth point.
3. Bluish bamboo (bambusa glaucescens). Original miniature variety, not more than half a meter. It looks good on its own and in compositions.
4. Arundinaria variegated. Arundinaria refers to the reeds. Outwardly very similar to bamboo dwarf varieties. Variegated leaves with whitish or cream stripes. The maximum height is 1 m.

Care for indoor bamboo: what you need to know

There are not too many tips on how to care for indoor bamboo. This is a relatively unpretentious, easy to grow plant. Subject to the basic rules, it grows quickly, does not cause much trouble.

• Lighting. It can grow both in a sunny place and in partial shade. In the summer it is desirable to take out to fresh air. Planting on a flowerbed in the summer is beneficial - bamboo gives strong root processes.In a strong shadow fades, loses attractiveness. Does not need artificial lighting in winter.
• Temperature. For growing suitable average room temperature. He does not like heat; in winter, it can withstand frosts to -5 ° С without consequences.
• Humidity. Requires high humidity. Need regular spraying. To create the required climatic conditions, set the pot on a pallet with wet decorative pebbles or sphagnum, use special humidifiers.
• Watering. Water often, but in moderation. Maintain a constant soil moisture - its overmoistening and drying out is not allowed. Always focus on the state of the soil - if the top layer is dry, you can water it.
• The soil. Soil is used loose, fertile, nutritious. Bamboo grows well in soil rich in organic matter. The soil acidity is maintained at pH 6. At lower values, the soil is deoxidized - crushed chalk is added. Acidity can be measured using special litmus papers.
• Pot. Of great importance for full growth is the size and shape of the pot. The root system grows almost horizontally, so the container should be wide and shallow. From the walls of the pot to the roots leave a distance of at least 5 cm.
• Transfer. Bamboo is transplanted as soon as the roots abut against the walls of the pot. Young bamboo requires an annual transplant, with rapid growth, transshipment twice a year. Gradually, growth slows down - limited to one transplant in two to three years.
• Top dressing. Use liquid organic fertilizers based on peat. Occasionally, balanced mineral fertilizers are applied. In the summer between feeding, three-week intervals are maintained, in the winter they feed even less often.

Propagation Features

Indoor bamboo can be propagated only by seeds or by dividing the bush during transplantation. Cuttings are not applied. It is impossible to get seeds from your plant - only store-bought planting material is used. Let's consider both methods in more detail.

1. Dividing the bush. During the transplantation, the roots are shaken off the ground, with a sharp knife, the bush is cut into several parts. On each part, several stems and a full root system should remain. Places of cuts are powdered with coal powder. Delenki planted in pots a little larger than the root system. The first week is watered sparingly, try not to overmoisten the soil in order to avoid decay. It is not recommended to divide the bush in hot weather. The best time for transplanting and dividing is early spring.
2. Seeds. Growing from seeds is a rather complicated process. Before sowing, the seeds are alternately soaked first in a solution of potassium permanganate, then in a growth stimulator. Sown in flat plates with loose, fertile soil, covered with a film. They put in a warm, bright place. The first shoots can appear only after three months. All this time the greenhouse is ventilated, the humidity of the substrate is maintained. Faster results can be achieved by germinating seeds in a hydrogel.

The main problems of growing

There are practically no problems when growing bamboo. It is a plant resistant to disease and pests. All the difficulties that may arise during the growing process are collected in one table.

Table - Difficulties in growing indoor bamboo

If you properly care for bamboo at home, it will not cause any problems. A decorative and unpretentious plant will perfectly fit into the modern interior of the apartment, it will look harmoniously in group flower arrangements.