Worth knowing:
The Moso Bamboo belongs to the sweet grass family, and is with a growth height of up to 30 meters in its natural habitat in China one of the tallest bamboo species in the world. In the European region it can still become between five and ten meters high. It grows rapidly with up to one meter in a single day (in its natural habitat) and develops stalks with a diameter of up to 18 cm in matured plants. The longish leaves grow rather narrow and very close to the stalk, providing a good visual cover. The Phyllostachys pubescens is due its material properties often used for parquet flooring, and in its natural habitat it is popular for the eatable sprouts.
Natural Location:
The natural habitat of the Moso Bamboo is in South China, particularly north of Guangzhou. It can also be found in Korea and Japan. Only with the end of the 19th century it first came to Europe.
Cultivation:
Seed propagation indoors is possible throughout the year. To increase the germinability, you should place the seed for about 24 hours in warm water for priming. Then, press the seed gently into moist potting compost and put just a little compost earth on top, so that the seed still gets some light. Cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the earth from drying out, but don’t forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on your potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 25°C and 30° Celsius (for instance near a heater) and keep the earth moist, but not wet. Usually it takes two to five weeks until germination.
Place:
The Moso Bamboo likes high temperatures above 20° Celsius, but it can also grow nicely at moderate temperatures outdoors, while it prefers a half-shaded to a full sunny spot. During summer, it can also be kept in a warm and wind-protected place, ideally near a heat-preserving wall.
Care:
The Moso Bamboo needs to be watered abundantly and penetratingly. Since the plant grows naturally already rather fast, you shouldn’t further enhance the growing by giving any fertilizer. Stalks that grow too big can be capped easily. Like with most bamboo plants, you need to place a rhizome barrier for outdoor plants to contain the uncontrolled spreading of the roots - in tub cultivation the pot makes the barrier.
During the winter:
The Moso Bamboo is one of the rare bamboo species that are frost-resistant, so it can tolerate temperatures of up to -15° Celsius. However, to be save, you should protect your outdoor plant with a layer of foliage or straw on the root area. Water your bamboo plant one more time penetratingly before the winter, so that the roots don’t dry out. Tub plants hibernate best in a warm and bright place with modest watering.
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