Savvy Gardening: Garden Ideas, Tips, Pictures, and More » Bamboo

The Uniqueness of Bamboo Plants

Jennifer — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:58:14 +0000

Bamboo plants have gained quite a bit in popularity in recent years as the beauty and glory of bamboo plants have caught the eye and the attention of many people looking to add plant décor to their home. (not a bad idea!) There are, however, others who feel somewhat undecided about adding bamboo plants as the exotic nature of the plants may not gel well with the current décor of the home they are intended. Such concerns are misguided because the mere addition of bamboo plants to a domicile can dramatically increase the domicile’s look to a hugely positive manner.

Zen and the Art of Bamboo Plants

There is a certain zen mysticism found in the presence of bamboo plants. Yes, there will be those who think that such a description is a little bit loopy, but that is only because of the common, erroneous understandings of zen philosophy. No, purchasing bamboo plants does not warrant an individual any enlightenment that will derive from the purchase, but what it can do is create a certain mood that is difficult to replicate.

There was a fable once that dealt with a man who was horribly sloppy. Then, one day he purchased a rose and placed it on a table. Noticing that the beautiful rose was much nicer than the ugly table, he replaced the table. When the rose and table combination created a nice look that was far better than the sloppiness of the rest of his home, the man began to replace all the sloppy aspects of the home with things that looked nice and fit in with the beautiful concept that the rose presented. In a way, bamboo plants may have a similar effect.

Now, the above fable is an exaggeration and is designed more to provide a moral lesson. Merely purchasing a plant is not going to dramatically change your life, but it does have an effect. There is a certain air and environment present when the beauties of the natural world are combined with one’s residence it creates a totally new ambiance in the home. This ambiance could possibly lead to an effect on the emotional levels of people similar to the concept of Feng Shui. While there is no guarantee the addition of certain plants will bring about an emotional awakening, it does play a significant role in creating a certain look that creates a desired effect in those in the environment’s proximity.

Interesting Facts About Well-Known Exotic Plants

Jennifer — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 21:52:44 +0000

There are several species of exotic plants that we have grown so accustomed to that we almost take them for granted. Actually what you think you know about these plants may not be all there is to them. The Venus flytrap, bamboo plants, orchids and bonsai are all very different but have one critical fact in common. They are all commonly found around us and are all considered exotic by plant experts. In this article, these common exotic plants will be reviewed in some detail. Hopefully you will learn something about these species that you didn’t know before.

Venus Flytrap

The Venus flytrap was named for the Greek goddess Venus, who is commonly thought of as the goddess of love but who was also the goddess of plants. This bulb-like flower is made up of several leaves that are usually no more than six centimeters long. Actually the Venus flytrap is an herb that is carnivorous unlike most plants, which use photosynthesis to create food. This exotic plant catches insects and arachnids in a natural trap formed by its multiple leaves. Although the Venus flytrap has been transplanted successfully in many areas, it only grows naturally in North and South Carolina’s swamps and bogs.

Bamboo

There are about 1000 species of bamboo found mostly in Asian, Indian, and Australian cultures. A quick growing exotic plant, many industries have begun harvesting bamboo for floor covering, window treatments, serving bowls and baskets, as well as many other less common uses. Bamboo is actually a type of grass and can be extremely invasive in a backyard setting. For this reason it is important to take careful precautions when planting ornamental bamboo as an exotic plant in your landscaping.

Orchids

Orchids are known for their beauty. They are one of the largest and most varied group of exotic flowering plants, boasting over 25,000 species. Although there are many thousands of types of Orchids, every one of them is protected as a threatened species. This prevents orchids from entering America so they must be grown in the country in greenhouses. Even hybrids of orchids are no longer allowed into the nation because officials cannot tell the difference between a true species and a hybrid.

Bonsai

Bonsai literally translates into ‘potted plant’ in Japanese and ‘tray scenery’ in Chinese. Not actually an exotic plant as much a tree. It is the art of growing miniature trees by planted them in containers and pruning and trimming according to the custom of the tradition. Even though Bonsai is usually associated with the Japanese culture, it originally began in China. Today the word Bonsai is used to describe both the Japanese and Chinese methods.

Bringing Up Bamboo

Jennifer — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 13:00:55 +0000

Bringing Up Bamboo â€“ Tips for Growing Your Own Bamboo

Bamboo has a simple elegance that is unmatched by any plant in the world. The strong lines and clean look make for a beautiful plant for anywhere in or around your home.

Where to Plant

One of the first steps to take when deciding to grow bamboo is to decide whether to grow it indoors or out. Bamboo is fairly delicate plant. As a result, you can only grow it if you live in a certain climate. If you choose to grow it outside the climate it grows best in, you will either need to plant it indoors or you will need to work much harder to maintain your plant than you might in a more traditional growth zone.

If you do choose to plant bamboo outdoors there are a number of things you should consider. One of the first things you should think about is the spacing of your bamboo plants. Ensure that you don’t allow any air pockets to exist when you place the plant within the soil. This will make sure that the roots have the cover they needs. If your soil is filled with clay, you must make sure that it is well aerated and very loose. If your soil tends to be filled with clay, regular compost and mulch routines will take care of that. When you get ready to plant the bamboo, spacing is critical. Your idea of how they should be spaced will factor into the success of your plants. If you want to create the look of a wall, place them four feet apart from each other. If you go with a dwarf style bamboo plant, this will give you the dense look you are looking for.

When to Plant

Deciding when to plant your bamboo is another important factor in success. Depending on your climate, bamboo can grow from April to October. During the course of the rest of the year, the bamboo roots are forming underground. Plant as soon as you possibly can, but be sure the soil in your area is above forty degrees before you introduce the bamboo to your environment. The water factor is essential to a strong bamboo plant. If you live in a relatively dry environment, and you intend to plant your bamboo outdoors, and irrigation system will be necessary to a good looking bamboo plant. While it is certainly possible for a bamboo plant to survive on something less than forty inches of rain per year, they simply don’t look good when hey are forced to live with less water than they like. Organic fertilizer should be applied every four to six weeks with a bamboo plant.

If growing bamboo outdoors simply doesn’t work out for you, yet you would really like to keep a bamboo plant, consider growing a single plant indoors in a pot. While this may sound like quite a challenge, it is really an easier task than you may have first considered. One of the first things you must do when you get ready to grow bamboo on an indoor scale is to consider the best place in your home for your new bamboo plant. Like any other plant, lighting is critical to the success of your new bamboo plant. Different types of bamboo require different types of light; so reading up on your variety before you make your big purchase is essential.

How Much Light Bamboo Should Get

On the most basic level, plants with larger leaves require less light. The smaller the bamboo leaves, the closer to the window the entire plant will need to be to get enough light to help it survive. If you need a bit of help choosing the right bamboo variety for your indoor growth needs, there are several good choices. One great choice to grow bamboo indoors is the Arrow variety. Scientifically called Pseudosasa japonica, this plant will do quite well in an environment with very little light and humidity. The Alphonse Kerr variety requires quite a bit of light, but it is also an excellent bamboo choice for your indoor nursery. Be sure to keep your plant from becoming waterlogged. The easiest way to do this on an indoor scale is to put a bowl of gravel under the plant. This will greatly improve the drainage.

Bamboo is a wonderful plant to own indoors or out. Follow these tips for bamboo success, no matter where you live.