Overview

Bamboo is a plant that is frequently associated with Asian countries. This plant is the primary food of the endangered panda. Bamboo shoots are edible. Bamboo has also been used in medicine and construction. While some groves of bamboo are grown commercially, bamboo is also grown in gardens.

Geography

Bamboos are generally from warm and tropical climates and warm, temperate climates. The bamboo are usually not able to survive in areas where the temperature falls below 15 degrees C. These bamboo must also be in areas where they are blocked from wind, which can blow them over. The soil used for growing bamboo should be well drained--excessive moisture in the soil will cause rot. Otherwise, most soil will work for bamboo as long as the soil is not rocky. The bamboo are usually planted 6 to 8 meters apart.

Time Frame

Bamboo should be planted right before a rainy season during the spring or summer. This bamboo is frequently rotated in order to allow the soil to be replenished. Those who are growing bamboo commercially can usually expect to earn a profit from their investment into the bamboo field in eight or nine years.

Conditions

Bamboo need ample sunlight to produce shoots. The soil must also be very rich. Bamboo does not have to be protected as much from insects, fungi and disease as other plants. This type of plant has developed a very good resistance to all of these maladies. Strong fertilizer is important for bamboo--it needs potassium and nitrogen the most. The land must be fertilized before the bamboo is planted. Mulch should be placed beneath the soil to prevent the ground from drying, to control soil temperature and to reduce the growth of weeds.

Planting

Bamboo must be planted before the roots dry out. This is done by protecting the roots from the sun. The bamboo stalks should be planted so that the yellow part is completely underground and the green part is completely above ground. After being planted, the bamboo does not need to be watered because there is usually moist soil attached to the roots.

Maintaining

Bamboo often grows very close together in clumps and harvesting bamboo becomes much more difficult as a result of these clumps. Bamboo plants need a great deal of sun to thrive, but this sun is also conducive to the growth of weeds, which can consume the energy of the bamboo. Therefore, a hoe should be used to eliminate the weeds.