Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. Some species can grow more than 1 meter in 24 hours, (1.20 m has been recorded in the south of France) depending on the species, climatic conditions and local soils.

Bamboos found in Europe can reach up to twenty meters in height. Their adult size depends on several factors, mainly the species or variety, climate and soil quality. They can be classified into four categories according to their adult size. -Dwarf bamboos reach heights of 1.50 meters -Small bamboos can reach heights of 1.50 to 3.00 meters -Medium bamboos can grow from 3.00 to 9 meters -Bamboos grow to over 9 meters.

Bamboo canes emerge from the ground with their final diameter and grow to their maximum size in one season. Temperate bamboos take 2 months, tropical bamboos 4 to 5 months. During these months, each new shoot will grow vertically like a telescopic antenna. At the end of the growth of these secondary shoots, they grow laterally from the nodes at the top, called branches. Then the leaves grow. In the following years, the thatch grows neither in height nor in diameter. It will harden into wood. This is why the cane must mature for several years before being cut.

Some species from temperate climates can withstand temperatures as low as -20º C. In very cold weather, the first limbs to suffer are the leaves and shoots, and finally the rhizomes. In areas with cold winters, young bamboo plants should be protected by straw or other permeable insulation so that the rhizomes don't suffer.

According to the way they grow, there are two types of bamboo: those that tend to spread out over the surface and invade a space, called creepers. Those that remain in a compact group, with no tendency to expand, called non-crawling. Creeping bamboos are relatively easy to control. The most radical is an anti-rhizome barrier formed by a plastic mesh buried vertically about 60 cm in the vicinity of the plantation. You can also make a small ditch 20 to 30 cm deep and cut down any that try to get through once a year. We can also do nothing, but during the period when new shoots are being produced, we will have to cut back any that are outside the permitted areas. This process is not difficult as the shoots are very soft and brittle. You can always use these sprouts and cook them.

Bamboos rarely flower, so there is no risk of being invaded by unwanted germination. Some bamboos are considered to flower every 120 years, others have never been seen in bloom.

Bamboo grown in pots can be planted at any time of the year, with the exception of periods of very heavy frost. It is in the summer and fall, when the soil is still warm, that it will give the best rooting in record time.

All bamboos can be watered by sprinkling or dripping. Watering should be regular in the first few months after planting, but not excessive. Potted bamboo needs frequent watering.

Bamboo prefers light, well-drained soils. It cannot tolerate swampy areas and thrives in neutral (pH = 7) or acidic (pH between 5 and 7) soil.

The ornamental plant marketed as "lucky bamboo" Lucky Bamboo is actually a plant from the Dracaena sanderiana family. It is a plant that grows in the dark tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa. More like a tulip than a bamboo, it is a poacée liliacée (former grass).