How to Transplant New Bamboo Plants

Bamboo seeds take up to 12 months to grow in propagators before they can be transplanted into holding pots. 

Care has to be taken when transplanting delicate new plants.

Steps for transplanting new bamboo plants

When the seeds have germinated, it is time to transplant them into the garden or larger pots.

You will need steady hands to do that.

Step 1. Prepare soil for growing bamboo sprouts:

Mix a good potting soil with compost bark in the ratio of 75% to 25%, or 3 parts potting mixture to 1 part compost bark. The compost bark will add humus to the soil. 

Alternatively, use natural plant-based humus such as fine grass cuttings. Do not add too much as the heat can kill the new bamboo seedlings.

Step 2. Moving sprouts: 

Carefully pull the healthy sprouting seeds out of the propagating pot or tray. 

Use a lifter so that you do not break the delicate roots.

Step 3. Leave the soil in the propagator

Put the propagating pots or trays back and leave for a further 10 days as the dormant bamboo seeds are likely to germinate.

Step 4. Potting sprouts: 

Lay the bottom of the 4cm or 6cm plastics pots or containers with pebbles or broken ceramics. This will stop soil from falling through and improve drainage. 

Add the mixture of potting soil and bark (from Step 1). Plant the sprouts in the centre of the pots, careful not to damage the taproot and new root hairs.

Step 5. Site for potted sprouts: 

Set the potted sprouts (in Step 4) in a location where the condition is suitable for further growth. Ideally in a greenhouse or indoors, for the new bamboo to grow for 10 - 12 months.

NOTE: You could lose 1 in 10 bamboo seedlings, but most of them stand a chance to germinate. 

When the new bamboos have reached a height of 10 – 40cm, it is time to move them into larger pots and containers.

 Check out the different ways to propagate bamboo plants.

Transplant new bamboo plants 

Transplant them into mini grow pots. Always use plastic pots. The ceramic pots retain heat and are not ideal for germinating seeds. 

They’ll need water even in Winter and a lot of attention.

Though bamboo seeds carry the nutrients they need to germinate, once they are transplanted, they'll need nourishment. So, use nutrient-rich soil. 

The best soil for planting new bamboo plants is an all-purpose compose.

Spring is the best time to transplant new bamboo that you grow from seeds.

Bamboos are fastest-growing plants

Bamboo plants are known as the fastest-growing plants. Some species can grow at an average of 1m per day. 

The first shoots, rhizomes and culms can reach their full growth between the 4th or 5th year after planting. When the bamboos start to ‘outgrow’ the pots, repot them. 

Prune the rhizomes and old culms so that they do not invade other spaces

The best thing to do when learning how to propagate bamboo from seeds and transplant them successfully is to prepare the materials and site properly.