The Male bamboo ( Dendrocalamus strictus ) is a popular clumping bamboo that is fantastic for screening and reasonably easy to grow. It is native to areas from tropical Thailand to cold climate Nepal which means it can tolerate almost any climate well. Although it will tolerate frost as an established plant, it will need protection from frost while it is young.
Other common names for the Dendrocalamus strictus are Calcutta Bamboo & Solid Bamboo. The young shoots of the Male Bamboo are edible and are commonly used in Asian cuisine.
This species culms grow straight and up to a huge 18 metres. If you don’t want a bamboo this tall, not to worry, bamboo can be cut off at preferred height and will not grow any taller once this is done, it will however continue to branch and become thicker. Adult leaf (blade) length is 4-6.5 cm, culms can be up to 10 cm in diameter and internode length is 25-40 cm in length.
Although many Bamboo varieties are quick growing, they can be a little slower while they are still young, in their first couple of years.
FAMILY:
Poaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 45°C / 23 to 112°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil must be well draining. Suitable for most types of soil but does not like boggy or clay soils that retain moisture
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 18 metres (60 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3-4 metres (9-12 feet)
pH:
4.5-6.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen, Perennial, Clumping
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium – Bamboo can be a little thirsty during warmer times of the year.
POLLINATION:
Wind Pollinated
MATURITY:
3-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
80%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-12 weeks, dependent on conditions
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Coming Soon
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT DENDROCALAMUS STRICTUS
Dendrocalamus strictus is used in construction to make house frames, scaffolding, bridges, walls & rafters. It is also used to build fences, furniture, for horticultural bamboo stakes and even walking sticks due to their strength.
Male Bamboo is native to India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand.
Germination Instructions
HOW TO GROW DENDROCALAMUS STRICTUS (Male Bamboo)
Step 1
Place the Male Bamboo seeds into a container of warm water and leave to soak for 24 hours.
Step 2
After soaking, prepare a tray or small pots with a seed raising mix or a sterile mixture of peat moss and perlite. Moisten medium – do not over wet as this will rot your seeds, you shouldn’t be able to squeeze water out of the mixture, save some for covering your seeds.
Scatter the Male Bamboo seeds on the surface and cover with a thin layer of the medium you have left over (only 1-2mm thick) over the top of the seeds. If you have a humidity dome place this over the top, if not you can cover the tray with either glass, a clear plastic bag or plastic wrap (glad wrap) – this will help maintain moisture and humidity to assist in activating germination.
Step 3
Place tray/pots in a warm, well lit location that is out of direct sunlight – ideal germination temperature is 17-20°C/64-70°F. If you can not provide these temperatures, you may need a heat mat. Open lid/plastic once to twice a week to check for germination, moisture and allow some air flow. If the medium is drying out slightly use a mist spray bottle or mist hose to water.
You should begin to see germination begin around 3-4 weeks, up to 12 weeks if ideal conditions are not met.
Step 4
Approximately a week or so after first germination has begun, the lid/plastic wrap can start to be removed bit by bit to allow the emerging seedlings to adapt to the outside environment. Make sure this is complete before the seedlings reach the top, as it will interrupt their growth. Dendrocalamus strictus seeds can germinate sporadically so may continue to germinate for a few weeks after your first ones have sprouted, don’t give up too soon on any slower ones.
Seedlings can be safely transplanted around 1 month into 4″ pots and then into bigger pots when roots begin to show on bottom of the pot. They are hardier than they look at this age at are not too bothered by transplanting.
Bamboo can grow quite quickly in its ideal temperature of over 20°c but much slower when colder. In colder regions consider keeping your Male Bamboo in a pot/s until well established and potentially taking inside during winter. If in a cooler area bamboo will need thick mulching as it will not cope well with frosts, especially while young.
When transplanting to final position, allow plenty of space for Bamboo to grow. Choose a part sun or sunny location and provide regular water for first few weeks.
Once established, will survive some frost and not require much watering.
Bamboo can take 3-5 years to fully mature.
