Plant Profile

Phyllostachys ventricosa (Buddha’s belly bamboo)

Bambusa ventricosa is a species of clumping bamboo widely used for the bulbous and ornamental culms and often used as bonsai.The stem of the bamboo grows wityh short fattened culms which gives the name of the plant.

Landscape Information
Botanical Description
Horticulture Management

By Emőke Dénes (Kew Gardens) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Karlostachys (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Mk2010 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Emőke Dénes (Kew Gardens) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

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French Name: Bambou ventre de bouddha
Plant type: Shrub
Origin: China
Heat Zones: 9 to 12

Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Uses: Screen, Bonsai, Espalier, Container
Size/Shape

Growth Rate: Fast

Tree Shape: Upright

Canopy Symmetry: Irregular

Canopy Density: Dense

Canopy Texture: Coarse

Height at Maturity: 8 to 15 m

Spread at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 meters

Time to Ultimate Height: 2 to 5 Years
Notes
It is advisable to plant them in a large pot because they can die if the root ball is allowed to dry out.

By Emőke Dénes (Kew Gardens) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Karlostachys (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Mk2010 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Emőke Dénes (Kew Gardens) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Foliage

Leaf Arrangement : Alternate

Leaf Venation: Parallel

Leaf Persistance: Evergreen

Leaf Type: Simple

Leaf Blade: 5 - 10 cm

Leaf Shape: Linear

Leaf Margins: Entire

Leaf Texture: Leathery, Coarse

Leaf Scent: No Fragance

Color(growing season): Green

Color(changing season): Green
Flower

Flower Showiness: No

Flower Size Range: 0 - 1.5

Flower Type: Spike

Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)

Flower Scent: No Fragance

Flower Color: Green

Seasons: Spring
Trunk

Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage

Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked

Trunk esthetic Values: Showy, Rough Texture, Colored
Fruit

Fruit Type: Schizocarp

Fruit Size Range: 1.5 - 3

Fruit Color: Brown

Seasons: Spring

By Emőke Dénes (Kew Gardens) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Karlostachys (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Mk2010 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Emőke Dénes (Kew Gardens) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Tolerance

Frost Tolerant: No

Heat Tolerance: Yes

Drought Tolerance: No
Requirements

Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

Water Requirements: Moderate

Light Requirements: Full
Management

Toxicity: No

Invasive Potential: No

Pruning Requirements: Little needed, to develop a strong structure

Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

Surface Rooting: Yes

Life Span: Less than 25

Edible Parts: None

Pests: Mites

Plant Propagation: Division