Bambusa arundinacea SPINY BAMBOO (10 seeds)

Medicinal bamboo, also known as spiny bamboo, thorny bamboo, or Bambusa arundinacea in Latin, is an exotic, monocotyledonous perennial plant known for its rapid growth. Native to Asia, particularly China and India, it belongs to the Poaceae family.

Its long, hollow stems, known as culms, can reach up to 10 meters in length. They are yellow and feature a multitude of very fine needles that can measure 15 cm long. The diameter of each stem is approximately 10 cm.

Thorny bamboo seeds are slightly conical, yellow in color, and measure 5 to 7 millimeters in length.

The foliage is rot-resistant, highly branched, and arranged alternately. The evergreen leaves are lance-shaped and a brilliant green color.

Flowering and fruiting for this large variety generally occur after 5 to 12 years. The flowers are arranged in clusters and are yellow.

- Uses: 

In traditional use, it was particularly used in Ayurvedic medicine for its numerous virtues.
Its roots, leaves, and buds were consumed in the form of juice. It is also said to have interesting therapeutic properties.

In construction, its stem was also used to make pontoons, scaffolding, furniture, and paper pulp.

Today, it can be planted to create a defensive hedge thanks to its many thorns.

In cooking, its young shoots are widely used in Asian cuisine.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The ideal period to sow spiny bamboo begins in May.
• Prepare a tray with seed-starting compost and fine sand, pre-moistened.
• Sow the seeds on top and cover them with half a centimeter of substrate.
• Press down gently and water carefully using a spray bottle.
• Place the tray in a greenhouse at a temperature near 30°C.
• Germination usually starts within 3 to 5 weeks.
• Repot as soon as the seedlings reach 15 cm in height. This is a clumping (non-invasive) variety.

- Soil Type and Substrate:

This variety grows very well in a light, humus-rich, slightly acidic substrate that is rich in organic matter. It prefers cool, moist soils.

- Exposure and Light:

It requires exposure to a lot of bright light. Therefore, it is necessary to plant it in a very sunny area.

- Watering and Irrigation:

Water the plant thoroughly upon planting and once every two days for the first 2 weeks. Once established, it no longer requires specific irrigation.

- Temperature and Hardiness:

This clumping bamboo variety likes temperatures ranging from 15 to 30°C. It is not very hardy and can only tolerate light frosts down to -3°C. It is mainly grown in large pots that can be moved into a greenhouse or conservatory during the winter season.

- Propagation:

There are two ways to propagate it: either by seeds or by dividing its rhizomes in early spring.

- Maintenance:

Prune out dry culms from the center of the plant. Occasionally clear away fallen dead leaves.

- Pests and Diseases:

It is not prone to pest attacks or diseases. It is a robust variety that is easy to cultivate.