The root system of bamboo
Short answer: Bamboo grows from an underground root system, which is why the plant can be harvested without dying. New shoots come up from the roots year after year, so nothing needs to be replanted after each harvest.
The roots stay
When a cane is cut, the root system stays in the ground. It consists of thick, horizontal underground stems, known as rhizomes, and the fine roots attached to them. The root system stores nutrients and sends up new shoots the following season. The part of the plant you see above ground is only part of the whole.
New shoots every year
Every year new canes shoot up from the root system. They reach full height within a single season and then become stronger and harder over the following years. In this way one root system can carry many canes of different ages at once, and the plant renews itself without anyone sowing or planting.
Why harvest needs no replanting
Unlike a tree that is felled and must be replaced, the bamboo plant carries on after harvest. The mature canes are cut and the younger ones left standing, so the root system still has leaves to live on. Next season new shoots come from the same roots. See how fast it happens in how fast does bamboo grow.
Two types of root system
Some species spread with long underground runners that can shoot up some distance from the parent plant. Others form dense clumps, where new shoots appear close to the old ones. The type a species has decides how a stand grows and how much space it takes up in a plantation or a garden.
In the garden
Creeping roots can spread far and usually need a root barrier if the plant is not to move into beds, lawns or the neighbour's garden. Clumping species are easier to keep in place. If you want to plant bamboo, ask the nursery which type of root system the species has before you choose a spot and buy plants.
A grass with roots
The root system is one of the reasons bamboo belongs with the grasses and not the trees. Just as a lawn can be mown and grow back, bamboo can be harvested and shoot again from the roots. The difference is size, because bamboo grows much taller and its canes look like trunks. Read more in is bamboo a grass or a tree.
From plant to fabric
Once the canes are harvested, the journey to textile begins. They are cut, crushed and processed until the cellulose can be spun into yarn and knitted into fabric. The root system plays no part in this stage, but it is what ensures there are new canes to harvest next time. See the whole journey in from bamboo plant to soft fabric.
Why it matters for textiles
The fact that the plant carries on after harvest is one reason bamboo is used as a raw material for fibres. For you as the wearer, though, it is the fabric weight, knit and fit you notice day to day. See the textiles in bamboo clothing for women and in bamboo clothing for men.
Frequently asked questions
Does bamboo die when it is harvested?
No. The root system stays in the ground when the canes are cut and sends up new shoots the following season. The plant therefore carries on without being replanted.
Why does bamboo spread?
Because some species have long underground runners that can shoot up some distance from the parent plant. Other species form dense clumps and stay more or less in place.
Do you need a root barrier?
For species with creeping roots, a root barrier is usually necessary in a garden. Clumping species stay close to the parent plant and usually manage without one.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
