Thanks to the decorative bamboo interior you bring an Asian or modern atmosphere to your apartment or house. This plant is declined in different varieties of small, medium or large sizes. To decorate your habitat, it will be necessary to choose an adapted model.
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Which interior decorative bamboo to choose?
There are decorative bamboos (Bambusae) for indoor and outdoor use. It is a monocotyledonous plant native mainly to Asia. It is of the family of grasses, or Poaceae. It is recognized by its large woody stems and its tree structure. Its stem is called thatch. It is cylindrical, hollow and has knots. Its evergreen leaves will take different colors such as yellow, red …
This woody plant adapts itself to the majority of the climates. It was established naturally on most continents. Its decorative leaves and stems make it found in gardens, parks … There are many species of bamboos. Many of them are fast growing. The stems quickly grow tall and are used as a view or windbreak. This plant will be appreciated as well in full ground as in pot posed on a balcony.
It is possible to decorate its interior with bamboo. It will be necessary to choose a variety which is not too invasive and which adapts to a habitat.
How to plant bamboo indoors
If you want to grow decorative bamboo indoors, you will have to choose a large pot. Indeed, this plant needs a good drainage. It is advised to choose a container whose diameter measures the double of that of the root ball. If it is not the case, leave at least a space of 2 inches with the edge. To facilitate drainage, the bottom of the container will contain perforations.
A draining bed should be provided before putting the substrate in. It is recommended to maintain a hygrometry of 70%. You can put a layer of clay or gravel balls at the bottom of the pot. A geotextile will separate them to prevent the substrate from encountering it.
At the same time, a reserve of water should be placed under the pot. It can be a cup in which you put a few clay balls to which you add water. A good drainage will protect your indoor bamboo from diseases and rotting.
After laying the draining elements comes the time to put the substrate. This can be a compost suitable for bamboo. It will also be associated with the soil of your garden. Similarly, the addition of peat and perlites or sand is suitable. So that your plant blooms, the substrate must be slightly acid.
Once the pot is prepared it is time to plant your bamboo. Place the root ball on the substrate which will have been watered beforehand. Then, add the substrate by taking care to pack it and water. In general, the growth of the roots is fast.
How to take care of indoor bamboo
1. Brightness
As a general rule, bamboo needs light but it should not be direct as it could burn the leaves. If in winter you don’t have light, you can use fluorescent lamps that will illuminate the plant.
2. Watering
Bamboo needs tenderness and that one takes care of it delicately. For watering, avoid excess water. Watering it twice a week is more than enough. In winter, to maintain humidity you can spray a little water on the leaves.
3. The size
In order for your bamboo to grow and flourish properly, it must be cut annually. To do this, prune it with pruning shears. This will facilitate the growth of the bamboo.
4. Potting
Finally, if you notice that your bamboo is starting to choke in its pot, consider repotting it in a larger pot. This will allow it to grow and maintain its shape.
Can indoor bamboo grow as high as outdoor bamboo?
It is obviously difficult to replicate the outdoor environment indoors, for this reason, it will be more complicated most of the time to grow outdoor bamboo as high as bamboo that could be found outdoors, in a garden, or a forest.
Outdoor bamboos grow particularly well when three factors are combined: summer heat, rich and supple soil, and good coolness (soil and atmosphere).
What indoor bamboos lack is that coolness in the soil and in the atmosphere. But don’t be discouraged, it is still possible to grow indoor bamboo of a satisfactory size without too much trouble.
Summary
Some not very hardy bamboos are proposed as houseplants, it is especially Bambusa ventricosa and Bambusa multiplex, as well as its varieties ‘Alphonse Karr’ and ‘Golden Goddess’.
Cultivated in pots, they measure from 3 to 10 feets in height. Let’s be frank, they can’t stand for a long time the conditions generally encountered in our interiors in winter, i.e. hot and dry air, as well as a not very intense light.
To keep them for several years, in an apartment or more easily in a veranda, they must benefit from a strong luminosity all year round. An additional contribution with a lighting adapted to the plants is possible, but not always very aesthetic, especially for large pots.
The ambient air must be sufficiently humid, at least 70% humidity. Daily spraying is not possible, so an electric humidifier can raise the necessary level. Also place several bamboos side by side and place the pots on saucers containing clay balls. Always maintain 1 inch of water to humidify the air by evaporation.
