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Flowering

Bamboo Flowers are small, insignificant and grass-like. Flowering uses the plants energy and the plant can die or rejuvenate. Badly affected plants nearly always produce some seed. It is a misconception that all Bamboos die after flowering. Most that do flower, will eventually rejuvenate strongly.

The most widely planted Bamboo in cultivation (Fargesia murieliae) flowered approximately 5 years ago and most mature plants are now dead. However, nearly all plants with maturity have produced a heavy crop of viable seed ensuring the plant will again be widely grown. There has been some new cultivars raised from this massive crop of seed.

Bamboos flower very rarely, in some cases at long intervals of a century or more. Some have never flowered in recorded cultivation. Simultaneous flowering of a species usually occurs World-wide unless there are clonal variations proving that all stock of one species originated from one source. The reasons for Bamboo flowering are not known and considering modern science, technology and understanding, it is obvious that the Bamboo has the upper hand and there is still much to learn.