Bambusa polymorpha

Bambusa polymorpha is a clumping bamboo species that reaches 7-15 cm in diameter and 15-20 m in height. It has an erect stems that curve outward at the top. Its internode is 40-65 cm long and shows greyish green with white powder when young. Culm sheath stays long and no branches are developed at lower nodes. Leaf is slim, 15-20 cm long and 0.9-1.5 cm wide.

Bambusa polymorpha is naturally found in Southeast Asia - northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand. It grows best in areas with annual daytime temperatures within 22-28°c (tolerating 9-32 °c) and mean annual rainfall of 1,200-2,500 mm (tolerating 700-4,500mm). It's one of the drought resistant bamboo species which is quite good for area with quite long dry season.

Bambusa polymorpha grows best in light shade (can tolerate full sun) and fertile loam soil with PH value 5.0-6.0 (tolerating 4.5-6.5).

Bambusa polymorpha shoot is edible but considered bitter. It's not suggested for shoot production, although dry shoot is consumed in come area. Bambusa polymorpha timber productivity can reach 60-75 ton/ha on basis of selective cutting. 2-year old culms can be harvested for pulping. 3-year above culms can be harvested for board making and construction.

Bambusa polymorpha seed is small, 5-10 mm long and around 2 mm wide. There are around 70 seeds in 1 gram Bambusa polymorpha seeds, germination rate is around 70% when new harvest and 45% after 1 year storage at 1-4 centigrade. The best temperature for germinating Bambusa polymorpha seeds is 25-30 centigrade. (for more details of germinating Bambusa polymorpha seeds, please visit: https://www.yunnan-bamboo.com/germinating-bamboo-seeds )

To set up bamboo plantation from seeds, it will take around 6 months to grow in nursery, then 4 years for Bambusa polymorpha to reach mature size. Thinning up is necessary in the first 3 years and selective cutting starts in year 4. Timber productivity can reach 60-75 ton per hectare per year on basis of selective cutting.