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Starts from Seed

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 6:57 am
by Spidereese
These sprouts are from phyllostachys pubescens seeds I bought online . 18 starts + 5 more late germinating seeds not shown out of 100 seeds. I have them outside without direct sun (the few unhealthy looking ones are due to to being just a few inches too far out and caught by midday sun). How long should I keep them in these containers? How cold is too cold for these little guys? Are there any common pitfalls that anyone could help me steer clear of to avoid losses with this species at this level of development? Are they phyllostachys pubescens? Seems like I have seen quite a few stories online referencing being sold seeds that aren't what the seller promotes them to be.

Re: Starts from Seed

Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:59 pm
by Tarzanus
If they were sold as Phyllostachys pubescens, they most likely are.
How to keep them in those containers? Nope, you won't be able to do it. They will need more space. Moso bamboo is very delicate when it comes to that. It might do great when in-ground, but will suffer while still enclosed inside the pot. Especially that small! You can place it into cool and well lit place, so it stars hibernating and stops growing. Plant it outside the following spring and behold - it will upsize quite a bit! If you keep it in small pots, it will eventually perish. Even the most vigorous Moso plants die off. I got one seedling that is extremely vigorous. How did I do it? It ran out of the pot one autumn, and I left it.
:mrgreen:

Re: Starts from Seed

Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 10:32 pm
by Spidereese
Thx for the info. It's nice to have some assurance that what I intended to buy is what I actually received. With regard to the pot I was wondering how long I should keep them in these pots. I want to keep them as long as I can in these pots so they can get stronger prior to transplant but I don't want to keep them in an risk losing them.

Re: Starts from Seed

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:04 am
by Tarzanus
In these pots... I would leave them until they start growing roots through the walls. I guess when they produce 3 or 4 shoots. I don't use these pots (had bad experiences using them), but I think they should have no problem poking their roots out. When you see them do that, you can plant them into larger pots. Do not use too large pots though. I have killed quite a few seedlings that way. I was not able to water them properly and they got soaked. Root rot did the rest. MAke sure you make a really well draining potting soil mix.

It's hard to grow moso from seeds, but it's rewarding when you get a plant that finally takes off.

Good luck!

Re: Starts from Seed

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:13 am
by Spidereese
So be careful not to overwater!!! I wanna use a mix of 1 part sand, 1 miracle grow potting soil/ 1 part local clay soil. I think that should take care of the drainage. Thanks for the info.

Re: Starts from Seed

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:26 pm
by Tarzanus
wash the sand if it has a lot of extra small particles. I found it makes impenetrable chunks of dirt when you mix them with clay soil. Add enough organic material and mix it well. I'm not sure how miracle grow potting soil looks like, but if it doesn't have much organic material, add a bit of coconut fibers or peat. Don't use too much peat, it can lock the water in and do the opposite of what you want.

Re: Starts from Seed

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:31 pm
by johnw
I'd slip those pots into a perfectly fitting plastic pot with drainage holes. As Moso is tricky there'd be no chance of any roots near the outer wall of the peat pot drying out.