Growing Bamboo from Seed

How to Grow Bamboo from Seed

In this guide you’ll find instructions and helpful recommendations for each step to successful bamboo seed germination:

• Use quality bamboo seeds and proven germination methods
• Prepare and soak the bamboo seeds
• Choose and prepare the germination medium
• Sow the bamboo seeds
• Maintain optimal growing conditions
• Transplant the bamboo seedlings
• Conclude the germination process
• Troubleshoot germination issues

 

Tips to Successfully Germinate Bamboo Seeds

We’ve reliably demonstrated over the years that with quality bamboo seeds, and a consistent germination process, bamboo can successfully be grown from seed. The proprietary images of germinating seeds, bamboo seedlings, and young bamboo plants that we publish throughout our website document our extensive in-house experience successfully germinating the bamboo seeds that we offer for sale.

By following our step-by-step guide to germinating bamboo seeds, anyone from novice to experienced gardener can grow from our quality seeds their own bamboo to enjoy for many years to come. Now growing bamboo from seed is not as "easy" as broadcasting grass seeds on the ground to eventually grow a lush green lawn. However, you can make the process of bamboo seed germination so much simpler and productive by understanding the importance of consistent, controlled conditions during germination. It's really not complex nor complicated -- it's more about maintaining moderation throughout the process of germinating bamboo seeds. 

The instructions provided below reflect our process and recommendations for successful bamboo seed germination indoors. These step-by-step procedures for germinating bamboo seeds in a controlled environment have consistently proven to successfully grow bamboo plants from seed.

All of our bamboo seed listing pages display photos taken of the seedlings and young plants produced from our own in-house seed germination tests. Our  bamboo seedlings for sale are also grown from the same bamboo seeds that we offer for sale, successfully germinated using the same process and procedures we're sharing with you here.

The abundant misinformation on the internet purporting that "bamboo can't be grown from seed" is often a reflection of folks unfortunately trying to grow bamboo from poor quality, nonviable seeds, and/or using flawed methods in suboptimal conditions.

Some bamboo seed vendors provide vague germination instructions, mostly recycled and copied from one website to another without any apparent verification. None provide any documentary proof whatsoever that the method they're recommending actually succeeds in germinating the seeds that they're selling. The absence of any proof of germination  method efficacy by a bamboo seed vendor should also be taken as the absence of any proof of seed viability.

Growing bamboo from seed is not impossible, nor does it have to be inherently difficult. Our goal here is to simplify the process with step-by-step instructions and recommendations that enhance the optimal conditions for successful seed germination and seedling development.  

Continue reading to learn how you, too, can experience the rewarding satisfaction of successfully growing your own bamboo from seed.

 

Storing Bamboo Seeds

Immediately store your bamboo seeds in your refrigerator in the original shipping envelope until you are ready to germinate them. Most bamboo seeds will retain viability for up to a year when properly stored, and many will remain viable for up to two years. Only a very few species of bamboo seeds are known to lose all viability within months of harvest, and for that reason those seeds are not harvested for commercial resale.

While it's not the norm, we have successfully test germinated Gigantochloa bamboo seeds that were stored under refrigeration for three years post-harvest. At 3 years, the germination rate was significantly reduced as expected, yet there were still some viable seeds. Never underestimate the tenacity of Mother Nature! 

 

How to Germinate Bamboo Seeds

Carefully peel away and remove the fibrous outer bract from the bamboo seeds.  Some find it easier to wear nitrile gloves to better grasp the seeds, or to use needle-nose tweezers to grasp each seed while gently peeling away the seed bracts manually. Discard the bracts. 

For smaller seeds such as some mountain bamboo like Fargesia and Borinda, this can be somewhat tedious. We've experimented with germinating these seeds with and without bracts, and we usually find that the seeds with their bracts removed germinate more quickly, so it's worth a little extra time and effort to remove the outer bracts.

Because most mountain bamboo seeds take more time to germinate, this often means  that these seeds will remain longer in the warm and moist germination environment. If left unattended, the typical germination environment can create inviting conditions for airborne contaminants.

When germinating mountain bamboo seeds, we typically use the paper towel method for better observational visibility during germination. However, paper contains organic materials (ie wood pulp) so it's  naturally more susceptible to environmental mold and other bacterial growth. We'll change out the moist paper towel germination medium if needed. We might also periodically mist with a 4:1 water : hydrogen solution to help maintain hygienic conditions. You may wish to test different methods (with and without bracts; paper towel or inorganic vermiculite) with the smaller Fargesia seeds to determine which method works best for the environmental conditions at your location.

Our recommendation to carefully remove the outer bracts prior to soaking the bamboo seeds is based on our experience demonstrating that doing so (1) increases hydration during the pre-germination soaking process; (2) accelerates germination time; (3) reduces excess organic material that can encourage mold growth in the humid germination environment; and (4) provides an opportunity to visually examine the condition of each  fully exposed seed and exclude inferior seeds from the germination process.

 

Soak the Bamboo Seeds

In a bowl or jar, mix 1 Cup warm (NOT hot) water and 1 Tablespoon hydrogen peroxide 3% concentration. Add the bamboo seeds, cover, and soak the seeds undisturbed for 24 hours in a warm (65F+) location. Gently strain (but do not rinse) the seeds with warm water. If you see any signs of germination on the seeds, skip the straining step to avoid damaging newly emerging seedlings. Using clean tweezers, gently pick up each seed, grasping the center of the seed, and place it onto the germination medium. Discard the soak solution. 

 

The seeds for some bamboo varieties will begin germinating very quickly, and the emerging roots and stems are extremely delicate. Note in the image above that these D. membranaceus seeds have quickly initiated germination during the initial seed soak, with newly emerging roots and stems clearly visible to the naked eye. Just imagine all of the newly developing, delicate embryonic tissues that can't be easily seen!

This is why we handle germinating seeds with care. We never rinse bamboo seeds after soaking, and we only occasionally strain them.  When handling the soaked seeds, be extremely gentle and avoid touching the thicker, rounded end of the seed where initial seedling development occurs. Use tweezers to individually lift each seed out of the soaking vessel and carefully place it onto the germination medium. As always, first thoroughly clean your hands, tools, and surfaces before handling seeds and seedlings.

Prepare the Bamboo Seed Germination Medium

We have tested various germination mediums, and find that (1) vermiculite, (2) paper towels/cotton batting, and (3) inert seeding mix are the three optimal methods, in order of our preferred germination method.

Vermiculite method: We have best results with most temperate and tropical bamboo seeds when using plain vermiculite as the germination medium. Vermiculite is inert, and the absence of biological components significantly reduces the incidence of molds, fungi, and other contaminants.

Vermiculite is also a superior medium for the quickly developing bamboo species that generate aggressively expansive roots early in the germination process. If the developing roots become embedded in paper towels or cotton batting, it can be challenging to manually extract them without causing injury to the seedling.

The one downside to using vermiculite germination medium is that the color and texture makes it a bit more difficult to see the first signs of germination. However the benefits of using vermiculite far outweigh this minor and temporary issue. If you are having difficulty assessing germination progress with the naked eye, take some pics of the seeds with your phone and then enlarge the image on screen to easily identify swollen buds and emerging roots and stems.

When using vermiculite as a germination medium, start with a vermiculite : water mix of approximately 2:1. You want the vermiculite to be thoroughly moistened, but without a sheen of visible water in your germination tray. Fill the container with about 2" of vermiculite, add water, and gently mix while spreading it evenly in the tray. 

Don't compact the moistened vermiculite. Once the vermiculite is evenly distributed in the germination tray, fluff it with a fork to separate the granules, which facilitates easier, deeper expansion of developing roots and increases air circulation throughout the medium. 

Press the seeds only slightly into the vermiculite, spacing about 1/2" between seeds, making sure the seeds aren't in contact with each other. Vermiculite absorbs moisture, so lightly mist daily to ensure the top layer of vermiculite that is in direct contact with the germinating seeds remains thoroughly moistened, but not sodden, throughout the germination process. Adjust your water mister so that the mist volume maintains sufficient moisture throughout the medium without overly saturating and compressing the vermiculite.

Paper towel method: Recommended for Fargesia and Borinda bamboo seeds. Layer moistened paper towels/cotton batting in a container with a vented lid and place the seeds atop the paper/cotton medium, spaced about 1/2" to 1" apart.

 

We find that using layers of moistened paper towels or cotton batting provides much better results than using an organic soil-based mix for seed germination. Our experience demonstrates that the paper towel method consistently provides superior initial germination results, with greatly reduced mold/fungus issues.  

Seed mix method: Alternatively, use a commercial, non-soil seeding (not seedling or potting) mix, or make a mixture of 1 part peat moss, 1 part coir, and 1 part vermiculite (for  enhanced moisture retention) or perlite (for enhanced aeration). Moisten the mixture until you can grab a handful and just barely squeeze out a drop. Distribute the premoistened seeding mixture into your germination trays, lightly pressing each seed onto the surface of the seeding mixture. Do not cover the seed.

We do not recommend using peat pots/pellets as they are notorious for encouraging fungal growth, they provide poor air circulation, and they often do not fully disintegrate until long after the seedling roots become over-crowded which compromises viable root and plant growth and development. While some recommend manually tearing/breaking up the peat pots before re-planting in soil to allow better root development and expansion, we find this to be unnecessary additional work and it risks transferring into the re-potting soil any pre-existing mold/fungus already growing on the peat pots.

We recommend using open flats/containers to germinate bamboo seeds. We find that the plastic seeding flats with partitioned cells typically sold at retail as "seed starting trays" do not support consistently optimal light, moisture, and air circulation that is critical for successful bamboo seed germination. (Please refer to one of our bamboo seed product listing pages for images of the open, non-partitioned seeding trays that we regularly use to achieve optimal bamboo seed germination.) It's also difficult to clearly see into a deep, narrow, black plastic cell to adequately observe and evaluate ongoing seed germination status and development.

In summary, use vermiculite, paper towels/cotton batting, or inert seeding mix in open, non-partitioned flats to germinate your seeds. Do not use organic potting soil, or peat pots, Jiffy pots, and the like.

 

Maintaining Optimal Conditions for Bamboo Seed Germination

Place the lid on the germination container and move the container to a spot where it won't be disturbed, it receives sufficient full spectrum natural light (but not direct sunlight), and the interior temperature of the container is constantly monitored with a thermometer to ensure that it consistently remains between 68-78°F (20-25°C), with 75°F (24°C) considered optimal for most bamboo seeds. Fargesia seed germination in particular can be adversely affected by excessive heat, so maintain consistently moderate temperatures well within the recommended range.

We recommend using a seed tray heat mat with an adjustable thermostat to maintain consistent temperatures during seed germination. Always use a thermometer to test and calibrate the temperature generated by a seed germination heat mat to ensure that the interior temperature of your covered germination tray consistently remains within the optimal range. 

Consider placing only seeds of one type of bamboo in each tray, as different bamboo species germinate and sprout at different rates, and the process of removing/repotting seedlings might disrupt other seeds in different stages of germination. Also, some seeds (such as Moso and Madake) can be more susceptible to fungus/mold and maintaining sufficient physical separation between seed varieties helps prevent cross-contamination.

Remove the lid for a minute or two daily to give the plants fresh air. Regularly moisten -- but do not oversaturate -- the germination medium during this time if it has begun to dry out. We prefer using a quality hand mister rather than pouring water directly onto the medium. Replace the lid after you have replenished moisture.

We have experimented with both vented and unvented lids, and see no discernible difference between the two, given that we're regularly lifting the germination tray lids and introducing fresh oxygen each time we evaluate germination progress and/or replenish adequate humidity.

 

Fargesia and Borinda mountain bamboo seeds typically take longer to germinate, but the seedlings demonstrate early vigorous growth. Pictured at 4 months of age from left to right, back row: Fargesia fungosa “Chocolate,” Fargesia Guizhou, Borinda papyrifera “Blue Dragon;” front row: Fargesia nitida, Fargesia angustissima “Frost,” Fargesia gaolinensis “Paper.”

 

Sprouting Bamboo Seeds

The bamboo seeds with characteristic fast germination (such as the tropical and subtropical Dendrocalamus) may sprout within a few days, and the bamboo seeds with longer germination times (such as some of the cold hardy mountain Fargesia and Borinda which can take a month or more to germinate) will take longer to sprout, depending on the species, variety, and conditions. (You'll find average germination times on each bamboo seed listing page.) It's usually pretty easy to spot the telltale signs of early germination on most seeds, although the smaller Fargesia seeds sometimes require magnification to identify initial germination.

 

During germination tests we regularly document progress with photos taken with a mobile phone, and enlarge the images as needed to closely examine the seeds for early signs of germination. We highly recommend taking your own photos and keeping notes during your germination process, as it's very easy to forget or confuse important developmental milestones, especially when germinating a variety of different seeds. Taking pics also makes it much easier to identify and track when it's time to transition seeds from the germination tray onto seedling soil mix, and to conduct ongoing troubleshooting for any issues as they arise.

Many cold hardy mountain bamboo seeds (such as Fargesia) are genetically predisposed to cooler environmental temperatures, and it's important to maintain moderate heating throughout their germination process without over-heating.  Aim for temps between 70-75F.

We typically begin to gradually reduce the heating mat temperature once the seeds have germinated and early root and stem development is observed. Discontinue use of a heating mat entirely, and remove the humidity dome cover, once the seedlings have produced fully formed primary leaves and are nearing readiness for potting into soil.

Because Fargesia seeds typically take longer to germinate, we recommend using paper towel or inert vermiculite media. If you opt for soil medium we recommend using only inorganic, non-soil (ie, coir, moss) inert seed germination media to reduce mold/fungus which is far more likely to occur in nutrient-rich, organic soil-based media. Dense soils also tend to restrict light and oxygen, and increase the potential for moisture retention and oversaturation. 

If you encounter an issue with environmental mold/fungus during germination, lightly misting the seeds and germination medium with a 4:1 solution of water : 3% hydrogen peroxide will help reduce and control that. Mold and fungal spores are ubiquitous in all but tightly controlled laboratory environments. To discourage their growth during germination, avoid excess moisture and cross-contamination, and ensure sufficient air flow and ambient light.

Do not apply systemic fertilizer to germinating seeds, and never before the development of plant roots sufficient for uptake. For seeds in the initial stages of germination that do not yet have fully formed roots, it's not at all productive to apply systemic fertilizer which requires uptake via roots. The cotyledon provides all the nutrients that a viable bamboo seed requires for seedling production from initial germination through development of the first set of leaves. Premature application of chemical fertilizing agents also runs the risk of accumulating excessive nitrogen or other caustic elements into the germination medium that may be counterproductive for naturally phased, healthy seed germination and seedling development.

The overuse of systemic fertilizers on seedlings can artificially accelerate early culm growth/height out of balance with natural leaf production and development, resulting in generally weakened seedlings and plants. Using a good quality soil for young seedlings and for repotting more mature plants, and maintaining optimally consistent growing conditions, should be sufficient to nourish and support balanced, incremental development throughout the early growth stages from initial seedling to established young plant.

 

Transplant the Bamboo Seedlings

Transplant the seedlings from the germination medium into small individual pots filled with quality seedling mix or potting soil after the seedlings have developed healthy roots, stems, and produced primary first leaves. The growth of newly germinated seedlings and the schedule to transplant them from germination medium to potted soil varies depending on the species and growing conditions. General rule of thumb is to place young seedlings into soil mix when they have good visible root development, and good culm (stem) development proportional with fully formed primary leaves.

If you have newly germinated seedlings tall enough to come in contact with the germination tray cover, but they do not yet display primary leaves, gently move the tray to a taller container and give them a little more time to produce leaves before transplanting them from the germination medium into soil.

If you are germinating on paper towels, remain watchful of accelerated root development (especially in the tropical/subtropical giant bamboo varieties eg, D. asper, D. membranaceus, and D. giganteus) which if left for too long on the fibrous media might result in some roots becoming embedded in the media. This will require some very gentle teasing of the roots away from the media with needle tweezers when it comes time for transitioning the seedlings onto soil. Damaging newly formed roots can negatively impact seedling development, so emphasis on gently. This is one of the reasons that we prefer inorganic vermiculite germination medium for the early fast growers.

Depending on your seasonal conditions, after transplanting the seedlings from the inert germination medium into soil-filled containers or nursery pots, you can keep the potted seedlings indoors or in a controlled greenhouse until conditions are optimal to begin incrementally hardening off the young plants outdoors for eventual planting in the ground or in planters, when they are at least 12" in height and all danger of frost has passed.

Do not expose seedlings to direct sunlight; in their natural habitat, bamboo seedlings and young bamboo plants are shielded from intense sunlight by the more mature bamboo plants in the grove.

We prefer to temporarily transplant seedlings into small soil-filled containers, and give them some time to grow and develop in those intermediary containers before transplanting them into 1-gallon or larger nursery pots. We water seedlings in small containers from the roots up by periodically soaking them in water-filled trays. 

Root soaking reduces the time spent surface watering each container individually, and the smaller seedling containers more efficiently disperse moisture throughout the soil to adequately hydrate all roots. Also, by passively watering from below, we avoid unnecessarily disturbing the soil surface or the developing seedlings with water poured onto them from above. 

We generally water from the roots up once or twice a week, but the frequency depends on a number of different factors. You'll be able to assess and determine optimal frequency by observing how much water the plants take up to maintain moisture throughout the soil in the container. We prefer using clear plastic containers to better observe and confirm consistent soil moisture, and assess potential root crowding (signalling that it's time to transplant to larger containers), as shown in the image immediately below.

 

As a general rule of thumb, the length of healthy bamboo seedling roots is about the  same as the height of the seedling. While root growth and development varies by species, if the soil in the seedling container is 6" deep, you would anticipate transplanting the seedling to a larger pot before it reaches 6" in height above the soil line to avoid root crowding.

You can assess the root growth status of your seedlings by removing  a 4" seedling from its container, and observing its roots at that height/age before transplanting it into a larger container. This will help you to determine if/when the remaining seedlings require timely transplanting.  It's preferable to transplant seedlings a little early rather than wait too long which can potentially cause root overcrowding that inhibits overall plant health and development. 

After the young bamboo plants are transplanted into larger pots, for the first several weeks we water both from below and from above to ensure that all roots are sufficiently hydrated throughout the higher volume and greater depth of soil in the larger pot. We continue to periodically lightly mist the young bamboo plants.

In summary, germinate bamboo seeds on inert germination medium. Once they have successfully germinated and developed initial roots, stem, and primary leaves, transplant the young seedlings into soil-filled containers until the young bamboo plants are ready to transplant into nursery pots, typically in another month or two.

When ready to plant outdoors, first incrementally harden them to outdoor temps before permanently planting outdoors. Do not expose seedlings or young bamboo plants to unfiltered direct sunlight, especially during intense mid-day hours.

Please also see When to Germinate Bamboo Seeds for helpful guidance about typical timelines from seed germination to young bamboo plants ready to transition out of doors.

 

How to Know When Bamboo Seeds are Finished Germinating

Typically when germinating bamboo seeds, you'll observe initial simultaneous germination activity in the majority of the seeds within the expected average germination timeframe (published in the bulleted list at the top of each bamboo seed listing page on our website). 

In our experience, this first wave of germination seeds occurs in the seeds that are the most genetically and biologically robust and viable. We've observed that the "early risers" proceed to develop and grow from seedling to young plant at very similar rates, well within the recognized timeframes and developmental benchmarks for germination and plant growth. 

After this initial germination phase for the majority of seeds, a number of the remaining seeds continue to germinate at a somewhat slower and more sporadic rate. Each day, one observes a few more seeds showing germination activity and displaying developing roots, stems, and eventually first leaves. By the time the first round of seedlings are ready to transplant from the germination medium into soil, there might be an additional 10-20% of seeds at a stage of growth and development that will require transplanting into soil a little later, within the next 3-7 days. 

Our experience indicates that the seedlings demonstrating only slightly slower germination and development to first leaves are equally vigorous growers and should be properly tended and nurtured until transplanted, where they tend to continue developing on par with the others.

When some remaining seeds germinate much later than the earlier majority, say 2-3 weeks after first germination, we have found that those seedlings typically don't perform and develop as vigorously as their older counterparts. In our early germination efforts, we felt compelled to attentively nurture all seeds and seedlings regardless of the speed at which they germinated. We sometimes extended test germinations several weeks past the anticipated germination period in the hopes that these slow-to-go sprouts would somehow eventually "catch up" to the others. 

However, in nearly every case, we learned that our prolonged efforts to salvage obvious stragglers were in fact not productive, and only delayed acknowledging the inevitable -- that there will always be seeds that for any number of reasons will struggle through germination and early development, or will fail to germinate altogether. 

Our standard process now is to allow the anticipated germination period, plus about one additional month, for the sufficient development of first leaves needed before transplanting into soil. Absent any viable candidates, we end that particular germination effort and discard any remaining non-viable seeds or visibly struggling seedlings.

For a lot of gardeners for whom hope springs eternal, this can be a hard choice to make.  However it ensures that we're investing our time and effort in the optimal candidates that have demonstrated vigorous growth and development from initial seed, to seedling, to young plant and beyond to an enduringly healthy mature bamboo. A strong and healthy start early is a strong and healthy bamboo later.

Please refer to "Avg. days to germination" found in the bullet list at the top of each bamboo seed listing page. Each variety has its own unique germination and growth characteristics. We've determined these average germination times based on our multiple in-house test germinations for each seed over time, following our bamboo seed germination recommendations. Note that most Fargesia and Borinda mountain bamboo seeds require a longer time to germinate so these seeds should be accorded sufficient time.

Please also see When to Germinate Bamboo Seeds for helpful guidance to determine typical timelines from seed germination to planting in-ground.

 

Troubleshooting Checklist

We have found that the primary reasons for difficulties with seed germination and early seedling development are substandard temperatures, moisture, and oxygen. These and other factors to be assessed and potentially addressed include:

• Incorrect, insufficient, or inconsistent temperatures. A seed germination heat mat  helps to maintain consistent optimal germination temperatures between 68-78°F (20-25°C), with 75°F (24°C) considered optimal. Use a thermometer to monitor temperatures throughout the germination process. Once your seeds have germinated, incrementally reduce and only use supplemental heat as needed to replicate optimal natural temperatures and environmental conditions for each particular bamboo plant species/variety.
• Inconsistent moisture -- either oversaturation or insufficient moisture.
• Insufficient airflow to provide adequate oxygen.
• Excessive mold/fungus, either already present in the soil/medium, on surfaces, or airborne. (Please see additional information about this below.)
• Immersion beneath excessive cover of soil or other materials that prevent natural growth and expansion of roots, stems, or leaves.
  
• Accidental injury/damage to seeds or to fragile tissues during early stages of germination. Always handle seeds with care; don't overcrowd when planting; store  seeds appropriately until planted.
• Insufficient full spectrum light for seedlings (overly tall, weedy seedlings; wan, pale yellow stems and leaves), or over exposure to direct sunlight (browned, dry appearing, curled leaf tips and surfaces). If you supplement the ambient light available for your seedlings with a grow light, make sure it's appropriately rated full spectrum for seedlings, positioned the correct distance from the seedlings, and turned on for the optimal amount of time each day per the manufacturer's recommendations. Those tiny LED lights included in many retail germination kits are often a useless gimmick that are not needed to germinate bamboo seeds, which are not yet capable of photosynthesis. Tiny LEDs often don't emit sufficient full spectrum light for very young seedlings that begin photosynthesis upon development of stems and primary leaves. 
  
• Destructive pests, such as fungus gnats, spider mites, and the like.
  

All of the above bamboo seed germination recommendations and these supplemental troubleshooting tips will best support successful germination of your bamboo seeds and healthy vigorous bamboo seedlings and young plants.

 

Controlling Mold/Fungus During Bamboo Seed Germination

Mold and fungal spores are present in virtually every environment, both indoors and out. Short of germinating seeds in a highly controlled laboratory setting, it's expected that the humidity and organic elements present in most seed germination environments can encourage the development of mold/fungus.

Here are some steps to take to mitigate the overgrowth of mold/fungus:

1. Maintain a sterile environment. Make sure all surfaces, containers, tools, and your hands are free of unwanted contamination. Always wash your hands before touching seeds or any other element of the germination environment.  
2. Thoroughly disinfect all surfaces and implements before and after each use. For example, if you use tweezers to position seeds, dip the tweezers in a 50% hydrogen peroxide solution and wipe dry between each contact with individual seeds. 
3. If you notice unwanted mold/fungus growth, mist the germinating seeds and the entire surface of the germination medium with a 4 parts water : 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. (Because we're located in a significantly moist region of the world, depending on the time of year/climate conditions, we sometimes proactively mist germinating seeds with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution on a daily basis.)
4. Increase air circulation. Many folks run a fan at lowest setting to continually recirculate air in and around their germination setup.
5. If you observe a significant mold/fungus issue, you can treat with an organic antifungal dust per the manufacturer's instructions. 
6. Do not use distilled water to mist germinating seeds. Distillation removes important minerals and other elements that contribute to a more naturally balanced environment. 
7. Know the difference between molds/fungi and algae (see below). 
   

A little mold/fungus is a natural occurrence during seed germination. For example, it's not uncommon to see a little mold on the remnants of seed coatings as they biologically degrade during seedling development. In a controlled, balanced germination environment, the presence of some minor mold/fungus is to be expected and it's unlikely to be harmful.  After all, soil naturally becomes organic and nutrient-rich because of industrious molds and fungi. Just keep an eye on your seeds and adjust the growing environment as needed to maintain a healthy balance.

Some nonviable seeds might quickly display abundant mold/fungus as they biologically degrade in the warm and humid germination environment, and those seeds should be quickly removed and discarded. A nonviable seed will have a markedly different appearance (shriveled/flat, darkened, damaged, oozing embryonic fluid, etc.) than all the other viable seeds, making it easier to identify those seeds for early removal and disposal.

Fungi and algae are distinctly different organisms, and the causes, prevention, and treatment differ as well. Fungal molds can be a wide range of colors from white to black and most every color in between with an equally impressive range of appearance and texture. They are ubiquitous in most every environment, capable of growing on just about any surface in the humid germination environment if left unchecked. Conversely, algae typically presents as a dark green, slimey layer on the surface of organic soil used for older seedlings and plants. One of the most effective means of controlling algae is to submersion water seedlings and plants from the roots up, allowing the soil surface to dry  out between waterings.

One commonality is that all of these organisms can spread via spores either airborne or via contact contamination, so maintaining good environmental hygiene throughout germination and early seedling growth and development is key to balanced control. If you observe fungi or algae, isolate the affected seed/seedling/plant during treatment. 

Another shared trait is that all of these organisms thrive in moist environments, so always maintain humidity at healthy levels. One distinct difference between fungi and algae is that most fungi thrive in low or no light, and algae requires light to survive.

In summary, some elements that can encourage excessive mold/fungus growth on germinating bamboo seeds are unsterile environment; pre-contaminated or richly organic medium; excessive humidity/dampness; poor air circulation; insufficient ambient light; compromised seeds; and biologic decay of residual seed bracts.

 

Germination Rates

Because each person's growing environment, conditions, equipment, practices, and expertise are unique and completely out of our control, we can not guarantee germination. You will sometimes see germination rates published for commercial seeds; these rates are typically based on a single germination event conducted in scientifically controlled, pristine laboratory conditions at peak seed viability, which means the rates are often misleadingly inflated, which encourages unrealistic expectations.

Consider the fact that even the most tightly controlled laboratory environment simply can not exactly replicate the variables of seed germination and growing conditions in the wild. Also consider the fact that it's simply not possible to exactly replicate any one horticultural germination test. And then consider the fact that even if 100 people follow the same germination instructions, there will be countless variables at play in the 100 different growing environments that can either increase or decrease germination success. One person might think there's too much risk in germinating seeds; the next person eagerly embraces the  adventure and the challenge.

Even in optimal conditions, it's a given that not all seeds that germinate will survive the seedling phase, and among those that do, there are always some that fail to mature into robust representatives of the species. That's how nature works. Subsequently, a stated  "germination rate" is unlikely to be an absolute baseline for expected germination success outside of commercial greenhouse conditions or for long-term viability through maturity. At most, it represents a one-off event in one place at one time with a non-reproducible selection of individually unique and highly variable seeds.

Like all embryos, not all seeds are biologically viable when they are originally created by the mother plant. Gently removing the exterior bracts from bamboo prior to soaking them provides the opportunity to visually identify non-viable seeds (ie unformed, deformed, dessicated, etc.).

Removing the outer seed bracts also reduces the amount of decaying organic matter that can be an ideal breeding ground for unwanted molds and fungi, enhancing your germination efforts overall. We have found that the bamboo seeds with their bracts removed consistently germinate more quickly, and with less mold/fungus issues, than seeds germinated with their bracts intact.

Like all other seeds, different types of bamboo seeds have widely varying germination rates, with the Fargesia and other higher elevation mountain/cold hardy bamboo types often requiring longer germination periods, often a month or more. We highly recommend using paper towel/cotton batting rather than a soil medium for these slower germinating seeds, because the former provides more opportunities to easily observe and appropriately adjust germination conditions over the longer period of time needed to germinate. Any seed buried out of sight in over-saturated, contaminated, or otherwise compromised soil for an extended period of time has a significantly higher rate of failure.

Appropriate and consistent germination procedures and care are key to all seed germination, with genetic and temporal seed viability and optimally maintained temperature, moisture, light, oxygen, nutrients, and environmental hygiene the most critical elements.

Begin the germination process as soon as possible after receiving your bamboo seeds to ensure optimal seed freshness and viability. Always store seeds in a cool, dry, air tight location away from direct light until you are ready to germinate them -- in an air-tight container in your refrigerator is optimal. With properly sterile, airtight, refrigerated storage conditions, most viable bamboo seeds will remain so for up to a year, with many retaining some viability for 18 to 24 months and more.

 

And Now a Word About that "Floating Seed" Myth

No matter how many times the myth is repeated on the Internet, it's still not true that if a seed floats when placed in water, that's a surefire indicator that it's not viable. Some seeds may float because they're hollow, lightweight, or have air pockets. Seeds can have different sized and distributed air pockets depending on the species. Impermeable seed coats can also contribute to buoyancy. Fibrous bamboo seed husks, such as those encasing the majority of bamboo seeds, are inherently buoyant.

There are just as many reasons why viable seeds might float as there are reasons why some seeds simply aren't viable, and very few of those reasons are demonstrated by a seed's relative buoyancy. Mother Nature has countless ways to diminish or extinguish seed viability. A visually damaged, defective, or desiccated seed might quickly reveal diminished viability.

There are many other less visibly obvious reasons -- such as genetics, disease of the mother plant, environmental conditions, climatic trends, seed immaturity -- why any one seed may never successfully germinate. A bamboo seed's buoyancy in water is a highly unreliable indicator.

We have conducted numerous "seed flotation" tests and without exception,  (1) most bamboo seeds with intact bracts initially float, and (2) after soaking for 24 hours, most bamboo seeds with their bracts removed sink, and (3) we've observed no quantifiable association between a bamboo seed's germination potential and whether it floats or sinks at any given time. Viable seeds germinate regardless of their buoyancy in water.

 

 

Germinating Flower Seeds and Ornamental Grass Seeds

For germination instructions for flower, grass, and other seeds, please see the excellent online reference Seed Germination Theory and Practice, by Dr. Norman C. Deno. This is a free PDF of his book that covers germination of most every imaginable seed type. His encyclopedic germination guide is provided courtesy of the USDA, and the detailed information about seed germination contained in this classic reference is unmatched.

 

 

 

 

 

Bamboo Seed Germination Guidelines copyright 2025 TheBambooSeed.com; reproduction in any form  is prohibited by copyright law.

 

 

 

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