Hardy bamboos like we grow outdoors here in the north are grown from divisions only. March is a good time to split up any kinds that aren't already shooting.

Great advice from Kentuck_ and Embrothrium. Thank you both. I'll try some cuttings and rely upon divisions. I've a Negra. and a Vivax and a couple of others. I might even go buy some things....Now is the time. Thank you.

Tim-Port Angeles, WA-USA.

Phyllostachys do not root from cuttings, there is no point in sticking any cuttings of those. The ones that are rooted from cuttings are tropical kinds like Bambusa vulgaris

Thanks Embothrium-----interesting---Propagation in the tropics. I have often wondered if plants are easier to propagate in the tropics. In Sri Lanka they just shoved some stalks in the beachy/sandy ground--And I was amazed to see them sprout. Thanks.

I know of at least one successful propagation by cutting, made on a Phyllostachys Henon so I am sure that it is possible on other varieties. The cutting was from the lower part of a smaller diameter culm that had limbs growing from the lower nodes. You can't use the top and/or newer growth. The cutting was soaked in a solution of rooting hormone before planting. However, the lengthy time it took to get it to survive, the success rate, and getting it to a healthy sized plant was not worth the time compared to just going and digging a division. All of my Bambusas can be started from cuttings but again, the time involved is not worth it to me.