A versatile, income generating crop, bamboo has thousands of potential uses that the world is just waking up to. Bamboo shoots can be harvested and sold, or farmers can cultivate the full-grown grass and sell wholesale to industrial and commercial buyers. This makes bamboo ideal for investments!
Where to Grow Bamboo?
Anywhere in the world with temperate climates is perfect for growing bamboo. It is definitely not a delicate prairie plant. Bamboo is the largest variety of forest grass and requires humidity. Bamboo thrives in 30 inches of rain per year, in the summer. In winters, it’d rather be left alone. All in all, if your soil can grow corn, it can definitely grow bamboo.
How to Plant Bamboo
For starters, install some kind of barrier around your property to keep the plant from spreading. Not all species of bamboo run, but if you are planting it in a home garden or another premium space, even clumping species may require a restrictive barrier.
Bamboo is best planted during spring, because this gives them a long growing season to take room until winter arrives.
Start off by digging a hole that is twice the width and half the depth of the root ball. We realize that precision isn’t possible, but do your best. Add drainage material and don’t forget to use organic fertilizers. If planting in a dry area, set the plant in a bit of a depression. Otherwise, plants in high rainfall areas can be mounded slightly. Also, once planted, water the plants generously with mulch and compost.
How to Maintain a Bamboo Plantation
Maintaining bamboo isn’t very difficult. It just takes a bit of due diligence and regular check-ups to ensure that your bamboo plants are growing strong. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Ensure Your Bamboo Has Enough Food and Water
Your plants must be well-watered for the first two years. While bamboo plants are greedy feeders, one decent change with an all purpose organic fertilizer should be more than enough to last all spring. However, bamboos don’t like salt, so keep away from seaweed based fertilizers. If you limit the nutrient intake of a bamboo plantation, you can limit its growth and height.
2. Pruning
Regularly remove weak, old and damaged culms. You will find them to be dull in color than the rest of the plant. Just cut them off at the base, closest to the plant. It will help allow more air and light to reach your bamboos, ensuring a healthy, happy bamboo farm.
If you are interested in learning more about commercial bamboo farming and Only Moso’s offerings, visit us today!
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