) by division or splitting up the clumps, and (2) by cutting off and planting the rhizomes.
DIVISION OF CLUMPS. If a young clump of any of the running bamboos is examined in early summer, young plants will be found coming up on the edges of the clump. These young plants are attached to rhizomes, which go back to an old plant. On the rhizomes will be found young plants and dormant buds or shoots. If the plant, together with a piece of the rhizome, is carefully removed with a ball of the soil, this makes a good young clump for propagation purposes. The proper time to dig these young plants is in early spring before growth begins. Then it is only a matter of transporting this clump to a new area and setting it out.
A divided plant, such as described, if properly cared for will make a fair growth the first year and will usually send out new rhizomes from which several plants will develop the next year. This is the most satisfactory type of plant to use for propagation purposes. If the rhizomes are strong, the buds sound, and the stems and roots satisfactory, growth will start promptly and be maintained steadily if soil and other conditions are right.
The divided plants will not stand long distance shipment unless great precautions are taken. These usually weigh 10 to 15 pounds per clump, thus making the cost nearly prohibitive. Therefore, this method of propagation is suitable for moving only short distances.
CUT RHIZOMES. Bamboo plants develop numerous rhizomes about 2 to 6 inches underneath the ground, which may extend 10 to 20 feet from the mother plant. They have numerous roots and develop buds at frequent intervals. Rhizomes used for propagation should have buds that are bright, and roots growing from the nodes should be bright and vigorous. Rhizomes that are dark in color with dark buds and few vigorous roots are old and not suited for propagation. Two-year-old rhizomes, if carefully removed and washed, make good propagating material and are preferred. Each viable bud will develop into a plant, which in turn will develop roots and send out other rhizomes. These rhizomes are relatively light and may be shipped long distances at low cost. They should be kept moist and cool during shipping and never be permitted to dry out.
The proper time to lift and divide the rhizomes is in February, March, or early April, just before the buds begin to push (grow up forming plants). Failure will likely result if the rhizomes are not lifted at the proper time.
ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A NURSERY. A nursery is almost indispensable if large quantities of planting stock are needed. The nursery soil should be a rich fertile loam. It should be well prepared and irrigation provided to take care of the young plants. The rhizomes should be cut in 12- to 15-inch sections, planted in trenches, covered about 3 to 4 inches, and the soil firmed around them. Immediately after setting, they should be moistened and the soil kept moist at all times. Mulching is highly desirable.
One hundred properly selected rhizomes will weigh 3 to 5 pounds. Under favorable conditions, 50 per cent germination may be expected, so the 100 rhizomes should produce 50 good plants.
Careful weeding and watering during dry spells are needed the first summer. Plants usually attain a height of 1 to 3 feet the first year. At the beginning of the second year the plants may be dug and transplanted to permanent areas. If the nursery is to be used as a permanent source of planting material, it should be left 2 or 3 years to develop rootstocks before beginning digging. In digging, enough rhizomes are left to reestablish the nursery.
A good fertilizer program for a nursery is 80 pounds N, 35 pounds P (80 pounds P2O5) and 50 pounds K (80 pounds K2O) per acre worked into the soil before setting rhizomes. Apply 200 pounds of ammonium nitrate per acre about June 15 and again about September 1. The second year, 80 pounds N, 35 pounds P, and 50 pounds K per acre are broadcast before growth begins in the spring and ammonium nitrate applications are repeated during the summer as in the firs