Fargesia Fungosa Seeds, Chocolate Bamboo, Non-creeping Bamboo

Sowing **Fargesia fungosa**, a non-spreading bamboo variety valued for its elegant foliage and hardiness, is a fascinating method for growing this ornamental bamboo. Here is a step-by-step guide to successfully sowing **Fargesia fungosa**:

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### **Steps for sowing Fargesia fungosa**

#### **1. Sowing period:**
- **All year round**: Possible indoors or in a heated greenhouse.
- **Spring**: Ideal for sowing outdoors, when temperatures start to warm up.

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#### **2. Harvesting seeds:**
- **Seed harvest**:
- Bamboo seeds are rare, as bamboos rarely flower (every 40 to 120 years depending on the species). If you find them, harvest them when they are ripe and dry.

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#### **3. Seed preparation:**
Bamboo seeds need to be stimulated to improve their germination rate.

##### **Preprocessing:**
1. **Soaking**:
- Soak the seeds in warm water (about 30-35°C) for **24 hours**. This softens the shell and activates germination.

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#### **4. Preparation of the substrate or soil:**
- **Substrate type**:
- Light, well-drained, slightly acidic mix of seed starting soil, sand or perlite, and compost (2:1:1).
- **Drainage**:
- The substrate must remain moist without becoming soggy to avoid rotting.
- **pH** :
- Acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7).

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#### **5. Sowing seeds:**

##### **In pots or crates (recommended for better control)**:
1. **Filling**:
- Fill the pots or boxes with the prepared substrate.
2. **Seed Arrangement**:
- Arrange the seeds on the surface of the substrate, then cover them lightly with a thin layer of substrate (1 to 2 mm).
3. **Watering**:
- Moisten the substrate with a spray bottle.
4. **Placement**:
- Place the pots in a warm, bright and humid place, but away from direct sunlight. Maintain a constant temperature of **20°C to 25°C**.

##### **In open ground:**
- Direct sowing is rare for bamboos, but possible if the climatic conditions are suitable (mild and humid climate).

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#### **6. Germination conditions:**
- **Ideal temperature**:
- Between **20°C and 25°C**.
- **Humidity** :
- Maintain constant humidity. Use clear plastic wrap or a mini greenhouse to create a greenhouse effect.
- **Germination time**:
- Germination can be slow, taking **2 to 8 weeks**, depending on conditions.

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#### **7. Care after germination:**
1. **Watering**:
- Keep the substrate slightly moist without excess water.
2. **Light**:
- Provide bright but indirect light to avoid burning young shoots.
3. **Lightening**:
- When the seedlings reach **5 to 10 cm**, thin them out to give them space.

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#### **8. Transplanting (for seedlings in pots)**:
- **When to transplant**:
- When the young plants are about **10 to 15 cm** and their roots are well developed.
- **Method** :
- Transplant into individual pots with a similar substrate or directly into open ground.

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#### **9. Final planting:**
1. **Location**:
- Plant in a partially shaded to sunny location, protected from strong winds.
2. **Ground**:
- Make sure the soil is rich, well-drained and slightly acidic.
3. **Spacing**:
- Leave a space of **50 cm to 1 meter** between the plants to allow them to develop.

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#### **10. Long-term maintenance:**
1. **Watering**:
- Water regularly to keep the soil slightly moist, especially during dry periods.
2. **Fertilization**:
- Apply organic fertilizer or specific bamboo fertilizer in spring and summer.
3. **Mulching**:
- Use organic mulch to retain soil moisture and protect roots.
4. **Winter protection**:
- **Fargesia fungosa** is hardy, but in very cold regions apply a thick mulch to protect the roots.

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### **Additional Tips:**
1. **Slow growth**:
- Young bamboo plants grow slowly the first few years. Be patient.
2. **Adaptation**:
- This bamboo is ideal for hedges, shade gardens or as an ornamental plant.
3. **Tolerance**:
- **Fargesia fungosa** tolerates poor soils well, but grows best in rich, well-drained soils.

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### **Conclusion :**
Sowing **Fargesia fungosa** requires patience, but the result is a graceful and resilient plant that will beautify your garden. With proper care, you can enjoy this elegant and eco-friendly bamboo for many years. 🌱🎋