General information and discussion about cultivating fruit-bearing plants, trees, flowers and ornamental plants.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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I've grown a great interest in phyllostachys bamboo over the past few years. The variations in culm patterns/colors and the peaceful atmosphere they create (soft rustling in the wind) are very unique. Unfortunately the species has gotten a bad reputation due to irresponsible and plain ignorant people that stick them in the ground and forget about them. The installation of a rhizome barrier (high density polyethylene - 30" deep) or a pruning trench is all that's necessary to keep spreading to the desired area.
I'm currently playing around with 4 different varieties... Does anyone else have the same interest in the "plant"? If so, here's some pictures to tickle your fancy ![]() ![]() ![]() New "Spectabilis" shoots - beautiful magenta sheath ![]() "nuda" ![]() ![]() New box I built last year ![]() ![]() ![]() "Spectabilis" "Nigra" "Nuda" I'll take some pictures of the privacy screen in progress on the property line once they begin shooting.. Last edited by Mike723; April 27, 2015 at 09:28 PM. Reason: typo |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7
Posts: 3,207
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I'm eating bamboo shoots from my garden right now. Yummy! As good as fresh asparagus, kind of an artichoke asparagus blend.
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,052
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Nice plants Mike! But I'm equally impressed with the box you built. That is a sturdy structure.
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Nice bamboo box.
I love Bamboo. Not all are invasive. Here is a picture of my Golden Goddess bamboo around 12 to 15 feet tall. Worth IMG_2015042723492.jpg |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NE Louisiana, Zone 8A
Posts: 1,179
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Thats a neat idea, love the box design too. I always liked bamboo, but was afraid of it getting out of control.
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#6 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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![]() Quote:
You would love the Golden Goddess bamboo. It is a clumper it wont ever get out of control and stays in a clump about 3 feet wide. Plant it about 3 to 4 feet apart and you will have a solid screen my house is behind that bamboo I am in my neighbors yard. It was started 6 feet apart. Worth |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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Tracy, ya know I haven't tried any shoots just yet.. of course my varieties aren't well noted for their flavor.. Which are you growing, edulis?
Salsa and Paul, thank ya! I wanted to be sure the rhizomes didn't wedge between the sections and pop them apart, so I spared no expense lol .. I'll be building another one this year and then I'll finally get around to stain and polyurethane. Worth, yes I failed to bring up clumping bamboo, while I have some "Blue Fountain" in the backyard, I'm more into the runners for their quick screening ability and decorative culms. I plan on building a nice trellis system in the hoop house once I have enough dried culms put aside. Some clumping varieties (like Fargesia Scabrida) are beautiful, but the problem is their need for afternoon shade - It's hard to come by in my yard lol.. Not to mention my little beagle that just seems to love chewing on the culms! I could kill him haha Last edited by Mike723; April 27, 2015 at 01:20 PM. Reason: typo |
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#8 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Worth |
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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I love the coloration of the new shoots of Old Hamii. . You're right on the brink of it's hardiness at
15-18F .. In Austin your zone 8b I reckon? Have you tried mulching it heavy in the fall? It might give ya a shot.. I personally don't mulch the bamboo as it promotes shallow rooting - in an already shallow rooted grass; but if it's what it takes to get it through the winter than it's worth it. I'd rather lose a culm or two if it keeps it from dying to the ground.. |
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#10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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![]() Quote:
It has been neglected where it is at, but yet it still lives. Last year winter and summer put a whipping on it. ![]() Worth |
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#11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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Are the culms dying to the ground or is it just the leaves burning? I end up with some crispy leaves on the Nigra's and Auerocaulis' but the culms leaf back out in the spring.. The Spectabilis is impressive - not a sign of stress, made it through one of the harshest winters we've had in the Northeast in a while.
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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All the way to the ground.
![]() Worth |
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#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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Oh geez
![]() Do you have a garage that you can plant them alongside? |
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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My house is surrounded with trees and the place is almost all shade.
the one side of the garage is slated for something else but I do think I have a place to put it. I have one acre there should be somewhere. Ease of watering is the most important part. Worth |
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#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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With one acre I'm sure you'll find an acceptable spot lol.. Yea, I resort to drip tape and a timer for first year transplants.. Takes the stress factor of watering away..
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