Bamboo Propagation Practical Experiences of Some Private Nursery

Bamboo Propagation Practical Experiences of Some Private Nursery Operators in Laguna, Philippines Celso B. Lantican President, Bamboo Network of the Philippines Retired Professor & Former Dean, UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources

Learn about operators’ motives in setting up nurseries, their propagation techniques and problems that they have encountered. 5 private nurseries visited and owners interviewed

Major Findings • Establishment of nurseries driven by: Ø high demand for ornamental species

Major Findings • Most operators do not know the scientific names of species • Use of catchy / unique names very common making the species attractive to customers

Species Being Propagated and Sold • • • Thyrsostachys siamensis Bambusa dolichomerithalla B. mulitplex forma variegata B. vulgaris ‘wamin’ Schizostachyum brachycladum Pink bamboo (probably a Bambusa) Australian bamboo (also probably a Bambusa) Phyllostachys aurea Bambusa lako Gigantochloa atroviolacea

Thyrsostachys siamensis Pole Bamboo or Thailand Bamboo

Bambusa multiflex forma variegata Chinese Bamboo

Phyllostachys aurea Benguet Bamboo

Phyllostachys nigra Black bamboo

Schizostachyum brachycladum Golden Bamboo

Bambusa sp. Pink Bamboo

Bambusa sp. (Australian bamboo)

Major Findings • Establishment of nurseries driven by: Ø high market prices (up to 10 or more times higher than construction bamboo) • Prices per pot Ø Ø Ø Pole bamboo- 30 to 60 USD Buddha bamboo- 20 to 30 USD Pink Bamboo 50 to 75 USD Chinese bamboo- 10 to 20 USD Australian bamboo-20 to 50 USD Cost of Production- 20 to 30 %

Major Findings • Principal methods of propagation Ø Offsets and clump division Ø Cuttings (only 1 nursery operator) Ø Layerage

Ornamental Bamboo Propagation

Ornamental bamboo propagation 1. Separate “junior” from the clump 2. Allow the junior to develop clump until ready sufficient culms have emerged

Ornamental bamboo propagation Separate 2 sticks (culms) from clump Removed soil from part of the circumference Pot the offsets in 18” poly-bag Potting medium: Coir dust +Rice hull + OGS

3 weeks

Major Findings • Medium used mixture of: Ø garden soil Ø partly decomposed rice hull Ø coconut coir

More Findings • Most nursery operators Ø Ø Ø have no training do not know what and where references on bamboo are available where to go to seek technical assistance

More Findings • Customers mostly walk-in type • Everybody is making good money

From Rags to Riches! One of the most successful bamboo nursery operators in Laguna. He is now the proud owner of 2 cars, paid with money earned from selling ornamental bamboos.

Conclusion

CB Lantican