How much does a bamboo seedling cost per plant, and when is it generally planted?

Bamboo is one of the Four Gentlemen of China, symbolizing a noble and unyielding spirit, and it has been a “frequent guest” in the poems of scholars and literati since ancient times. There are many varieties of bamboo and many uses for it, such as building greenhouses, making pens, and farm tools. So how much does a bamboo seedling cost per plant? When is it generally planted?

1. How much does a bamboo seedling cost per plant?

There are many specifications for bamboo seedlings. Common ones include a diameter at breast height of 0.8-1 cm, 1.5 cm, 2 cm, 2.5 cm, 3 cm, 3.5 cm, 4 cm, 4.5 cm, 5 cm, and so on. Prices vary somewhat, fluctuating between 1 yuan and 10 yuan. It is also closely related to the variety: common varieties are cheaper, while bamboo seedlings of rare varieties are more expensive.

2. When is bamboo generally planted?

The planting time for bamboo depends on the variety. Generally, we can classify them as scattered bamboo, clumping bamboo, and mixed bamboo, and the specific planting times differ. Let us take a look below.

1. Scattered bamboo

Scattered bamboo usually begins to send up shoots in spring from March to May. Most bamboo species basically complete their height growth in June and put out branches and leaves, then produce a large number of rhizomes from August to September. After entering November, as the temperature drops, physiological activity gradually slows. By February of the following year, along with rising temperatures, physiological activity gradually resumes. According to this growth rhythm, the ideal time to plant scattered bamboo should be from October to February of the following year, with the “little Indian summer” in October being the best. When planting bamboo in winter from November to December, although there is little rain and the weather is dry, the physiological activity of the bamboo tends to weaken at this time, transpiration is not strong, and the survival rate of planted bamboo is also relatively high. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, bamboo can be transplanted for afforestation during the plum rain season in normal years. However, it is only suitable for short-distance transplanting, and only when the root ball is kept with soil can a high survival rate be ensured. Because winters in northern regions are severely cold, it is advisable to plant bamboo in October in autumn and February in early spring. It is worth noting that the shoot emergence period from March to May in spring is not suitable for planting bamboo. “There is no fixed time for planting bamboo; move it after rain.” As long as the quality of the mother bamboo is ensured, management is careful, and water balance is maintained, it can be planted at any time of the year except during the hot sanfu days and the severe cold sanjiu days. If container bamboo seedlings are used, bamboo can be planted in all four seasons in both northern and southern regions, ensuring survival.

2. Clumping bamboo

Generally, bamboo culms sprout from March to May, and shoots emerge from June to August, and clumping bamboo is not tolerant of severe cold. Therefore, clumping bamboo is best planted in spring in February, before the bamboo buds have sprouted and before the bamboo sap begins to flow. Likewise, if management conditions are good or container bamboo seedlings are used, bamboo can also be planted in all four seasons.

3. Mixed bamboo

The growth and development rhythm of mixed bamboo lies between that of scattered bamboo and clumping bamboo. It sends up shoots and grows culms from May to July, so the suitable planting seasons are autumn and winter from October to December and spring from February to March.