How to Grow Bambusa multiplex? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods

Bambusa multiplex is also known as Guanyin bamboo, rice bamboo, Jintou bamboo, Penglai bamboo, etc. It is a variation of Bambusa multiplex var. multiplex. Because it is full of spiritual energy, it was named “Guanyin bamboo.” As the saying goes, a mountain is spirited when there is water, and a temple with a Guanyin bamboo ball beside it has an immortal air. It has high ornamental value and is suitable for clump planting in courtyards, and can also be used as a bonsai plant. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for Bambusa multiplex!

Propagation Methods for Bambusa multiplex

1. Division: This can be done in February to March when repotting. When dividing, take the overly dense clumps out of the pot, cut them apart from the rhizome with a knife, and pot them separately. Be careful not to damage the roots. When dividing, each shoot bud should have at least one old bamboo culm, and as many fibrous roots as possible should be retained to ensure survival. The newly divided plants should be planted in pots of moderate size, filled with fertile soil, watered carefully, kept moist, and placed in a semi-shaded place for care. The shoot buds will then grow rapidly.

2. Sowing: Bambusa multiplex sowing is best done in April to May. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water for 1 to 2 days. About 40 days after sowing, they will sprout. The seedlings grow very slowly, and it takes about half a year before they can be transplanted for cultivation.

3. Cuttings: Bambusa multiplex cutting propagation is carried out in May to June. Cut one-year-old branches into cuttings with 2 to 3 nodes, remove part of the leaves, insert them into a sand bed, and keep them moist. They can root in the same year.

Cultivation Methods for Bambusa multiplex

1. Temperature: Bambusa multiplex is an evergreen clumping shrub. It likes warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments. Its cold tolerance is somewhat poor, it cannot tolerate strong sunlight exposure, and it fears waterlogging. It is suitable for fertile, loose, and well-drained loam soil. The winter temperature should not be lower than 0 degrees.

2. Light: Bambusa multiplex likes light and is slightly shade-tolerant. It likes a warm and humid climate, likes moisture and warmth, and also likes semi-ventilated and semi-shaded conditions. In winter, it should be moved indoors to a sunny place. Bambusa multiplex likes sunny, high, and airy places. There is a saying that “it flourishes in sunlight and should be planted on a high terrace.” In spring, summer, and autumn, it only needs to be placed in a ventilated spot by a window. In winter, place it in a sunny spot, and it will grow well. Field-planted Bambusa multiplex sends out new leaves after spring, and in warm regions it remains evergreen all year round.

3. Soil: Bambusa multiplex likes acidic, slightly acidic, or neutral soil, with a suitable pH of 4.5 to 7.0, and avoids heavy, clayey, and alkaline soil. Northern soil is strongly alkaline, so 0.2% ferrous sulfate can be added. The soil is best if it is loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam. Farmland soil mixed with red-yellow soil, humus soil, and fine sand can be used. If common potting soil is used for planting Pleioblastus fortunei, the survival rate is low; vermiculite or peat mixed with perlite can be used as a substrate, giving a higher survival rate. To maintain a graceful posture, it also does not have high soil requirements; generally, loose sandy soil is sufficient.

4. Water: Bambusa multiplex likes moisture and fears water accumulation. After potting, the first watering should be thorough. Afterward, keep the potting soil moist, but do not water too much, otherwise the rhizomes and roots are prone to rot. From potting to the survival stage, the leaves should also be sprayed with water frequently. 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 once every 1 to 2 days on average. In winter, water less, but ensure the potting soil remains moist to prevent “dry freezing.”

5. Fertilizer: Bambusa multiplex fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer. Decomposed livestock manure, garbage compost, and river mud are all suitable. Organic fertilizer is mainly used as a base fertilizer, mixed into the potting soil, generally at 10% to 15% of the potting soil volume. During the growing season, Bambusa multiplex only needs 1 to 2 applications of dilute nitrogen fertilizer per month.

Precautions for Growing Bambusa multiplex

1. For potted Bambusa multiplex, in summer it should be moved to a shaded outdoor place, and attention should be paid to watering more to keep the potting soil moist. The leaves should also be sprayed with water, and the ground should be sprinkled with water to keep the air humid, so that the branches and leaves of Bambusa multiplex can remain green. Bambusa multiplex likes moisture and fears water accumulation. After potting, the first watering should be thorough. Afterward, keep the potting soil moist, but do not water too much, otherwise the roots are prone to rot.

2. Bambusa multiplex fears water accumulation. Apart from the first thorough watering, afterward it is enough to keep the potting soil moist, otherwise the rhizomes and roots are prone to rot. Bambusa multiplex likes moisture. If the potting soil lacks water, the bamboo leaves will curl; then it is time to water, and after watering the bamboo leaves will unfold. Generally, in summer, water once every 1 to 2 days on average. In winter, water less, but ensure the potting soil remains moist to prevent “dry freezing.”

3. In high-temperature seasons, potted bamboo should be moved to a shaded place to avoid scorching sun exposure, and water should be sprayed on the leaves to keep the leaf color emerald green. In winter, potted bamboo must be moved to a wind-sheltered, sunny place or indoors.

4. During the growing period, Bambusa multiplex needs liquid fertilizer applied once about every 20 days. Bambusa multiplex fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer. The liquid fertilizer can be decomposed dilute soybean cake water or a compound liquid fertilizer. Fertilization should be stopped in winter.

5. Bambusa multiplex does not need to be repotted every year; generally, repot once every 2 years. Bambusa multiplex likes acidic, slightly acidic, or neutral soil. The potting culture soil is made by mixing 1 part leaf mold, 0.5 part garden soil, and a small amount of river sand and rice husk ash, etc. Avoid heavy, clayey, and alkaline soil.

6. Bambusa multiplex bonsai emphasizes posture and charm. The branches and culms must have both upright and drooping forms, with a balance of sparse and dense growth and uneven heights. During vigorous growth, if there are too many culms, it will give a dense and congested feeling, affecting the overall ornamental effect of the bonsai. The overly dense culms should be thinned according to growth conditions, and special attention should be paid to cutting away weak and declining culms.