How often should Bambusa multiplex be watered, and how should it be pruned?

The moonlight is hazy; opening the window, I feel a gentle smoothness, still so refreshing, a light breeze softly brushing my face, like a lover's breath blowing on my cheek, with a faint delicate fragrance, feeling especially fresh. The Bambusa multiplex under the moonlight has an even more distinctive charm, elegant, and moving as it interplays with the moonlight. Although growing Bambusa multiplex is simple, do not forget to water it!

How to water Bambusa multiplex (how often to water)

Bambusa multiplex likes moisture but fears waterlogging. After potting, water thoroughly the first time, then keep the potting soil moist. Do not water too much, otherwise the rhizomes and roots are prone to rot. From potting to establishment, also frequently spray water on the leaves. If the potting soil lacks water, the bamboo leaves will curl; at this time, water promptly and the bamboo leaves will unfold again. In summer, water on average once every 1 to 2 days; in winter, water less, but ensure the potting soil stays moist to prevent “dry freezing.”

How to prune Bambusa multiplex

During the growing season, Bambusa multiplex continuously sends up tender culms from the root zone. If they affect the overall composition because they are too tall, the overly tall parts can be cut off. Bambusa multiplex bonsai emphasizes posture and spirit; its branches and culms must have both upright and drooping forms, be well-spaced with a sense of density, and vary in height. When there are too many culms, it can feel dense and congested, thus affecting the ornamental effect of the bonsai. Depending on the growth situation, thin out overly dense branches and culms, and especially remove culms that are growing weakly.

How to fertilize Bambusa multiplex

1. Regular fertilization

This plant relatively prefers soil that is a bit fertile, but not all fertile fertilizers suit it, so overall, this is a plant that relatively likes fertilizer and is also particularly picky about fertilizer. For this kind of plant that relatively likes fertilizer, regular fertilization is usually chosen, but so-called regular does not mean once a month; so-called regular means how many times fertilizer must be applied regularly within one month. For this plant, during its growing period, it is usually necessary to maintain a frequency of once every half month, at least. But in autumn and winter, pay special attention that there is absolutely no need to fertilize this plant; remember, there is absolutely no need, which means stopping fertilization.

2. Apply according to growth stage:

1. Before planting. Many people think that before planting, how could a plant need fertilizer? But actually this is a very wrong understanding. Before planting, prepare its soil, but for some plants that relatively like fertilizer, such as this plant, ordinary soil cannot be used directly to plant it; planting it that way is extremely unfavorable to its vigorous growth. Therefore, before planting, base fertilizer must be applied to the soil used for planting. The so-called base fertilizer should be organic; you can choose burned ash, or pond mud and the like.

2. Early growth stage. The growing period has relatively high fertilizer requirements, and fertilization is mainly to make the plant look very healthy. For this landscaping plant to look healthy, the most important thing is to be green. So at this stage, mainly apply fertilizer containing relatively more nitrogen.

3. Mid growth stage. Fertilization at this stage is mainly so it can grow more luxuriantly, so applying fertilizer with phosphorus as the main element at this stage is most appropriate.

4. Late growth stage. At this stage, fertilizer with potassium as the main element should be applied, because at this stage the plant's growth is basically complete, and what needs to be improved is its quality, so at this stage applying some fertilizer that improves its resistance to cold and disease is most appropriate.

Propagation methods of Bambusa multiplex

Bambusa multiplex can be propagated by division, seed propagation, and cuttings. However, because bamboos are not easy to obtain seeds from, and cuttings are difficult to root, division is the main propagation method. Division can be done in early spring (February to March) together with repotting. When dividing, take out the over-dense clump from the pot, cut it apart from the rhizome with a knife, and pot them separately. Be careful not to damage the roots. When dividing, at least ensure that each shoot bud has one old bamboo culm, and retain as many fibrous roots as possible to ensure survival. The newly divided plants should be planted in pots of moderate size, filled with fertile soil, watered with attention, kept moist, and maintained in a semi-shaded place; the shoot buds will grow rapidly.

The green plants at home add a lot of interest to the home; they are vitality, agility, liveliness, and the profound story behind Bambusa multiplex. The joy of growing a plant lies in understanding it bit by bit, getting used to it bit by bit, and more than that, in day after day of being together, understanding that the meaning of life is mutual dependence, walking along the way and caring for each other.