Can a Bamboo plant be split?

[EllenFrasier]

My Mom has a bamboo plant that is getting really big. Is there a way to split it into more than one plant, or trim it or something? How do you root more plants from one bamboo plant? Thanks!

 

[barkley]

i have one of those potted types. in a move one of the limbs was partialy severed. just for the heck of it i put it into a small container with water and some glass marbles (just water and marbles, because the main plant has always only been in the purchased container with only the marbles and water it came with-no soil). it's been 3 years now and the broken limb has survived and gotten taller, so i think it's possible to do trimmings as one would do with another plant to establish new plants.

 

[NotUrsula]

Oh, yeah, sure you can. The technique depends on the variety, but here is a good diagram to help:

http://www.americanbamboo.org/images/DividingBamboo.GIF

You'll want to do it when the plant is somewhat dormant. If it has new shoots on it it is probably not a good time.