Bambusa Ventricosa Kimmei, Buddha Belly Bamboo Variegated - Plant

It is one of the most popular ornamental bamboos for collectors.
Probably the toughest of the tropical clumping bamboos, Buddhas Belly is known for it utility as well as its adaptability. Bamboo is one of the most useful and versatile plants in the world. Buddha Belly Bamboo is a highly ornamental plant. The resemblance of the swollen stem sections to the bulging belly of Buddha depicted in paintings and sculptures gives rise to the name of this bamboo. With its clean, simple lines, bamboo lends a feeling of peacefulness and simple elegance. This is the only bamboo to thrive indoors. Probably the toughest of the tropical clumping bamboos, Buddha s Belly is known for it utility as well as its adaptability. Bamboo is technically a grass which grows more rapidly than any other plant on the planet. New bamboo shoots can grow as much as 3 feet in one day. Bamboo has been most widely used for shelter, food, paper, jewelry, and clothes in Asia. Bamboo can be divided into two main categories: clumpers and runners. Clumpers tend to send out new shoots within a couple of feet of the clump each year. Runners, however, send out new shoots much farther from the original clump.

Plant Specifications

• Plant Height: 20 inch (51 cm)
• Plant Spread: 10 inch (25 cm)

*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%

• Common Name: Buddha Belly Bamboo, Buddha Bamboo
• Maximum Reachable Height: 6m - 10m
• Flower Colour: Bamboo does not produce any flowers. Has a bright green trunk with ringed swellings.
• Bloom Time: Bamboo does not produce any flowers.
• Difficulty Level: easy to grow

Planting and care

The plant stays small and produces swollen internodes when grown in a small container and supplied with little moisture and nutrient. Should be fed regularly with a high-nitrogen food. New culms that grow taller need to be trimmed to keep the plant in shape. You can control the height of any culm by cutting just above the node. It is advisable to plant them in a large pot because they can die if the root ball is allowed to dry out.

Bambusa Ventricosa Kimmei care

Plants prefer a near-neutral pH range of 5.5 - 7.0. A pH of 6.5 is just about right for most home gardens (slightly acidic to neutral). An accurate soil test will tell you where your pH currently stands. Acidic (sour) soil is counteracted by applying finely ground limestone, and alkaline (sweet) soil is treated with ground sulphur.
Under harsh conditions, this bamboo develops short swollen internodes - hence its name Buddha s Belly . Under normal QLD growing conditions, the ventricosa will generally only produce about half of its shoots with the short, swollen internodes and the rest straight as usual. Though this does very much depend on conditions.

It is very fast growing with a vigorous growth habit. Great for privacy screening on acreage, windbreaks or erosion control.

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Watering: Water Buddha belly plants in containers deeply about once or twice each week, and allow their soil to dry out between watering sessions. Water outdoor Buddha belly plants about once each week.
• Soil: Well-drained soil.
• Temperature: Optimal temperature required is 22C.
• Fertilizer: Should be fed regularly with a high-nitrogen food or Apply any organic fertilizer

Bambusa Ventricosa Kimmei uses

Ornamental Use

Bamboo Buddha Belly can be grown as a grove or as an ascent plant
It could also be grown to form a screen
Due to the nature of the bellying , this bamboo is one of the best bamboos for bonsais
By pruning the tops of the culms and restricting its growth, the swollen internodes become more predominant

• Culinary Use: leaves