Learning the basics. Good book? How did you learn?

[joe lajeunesse]

Being that I am now addicted like many of the other people on here, I spend hours searching these forums and realized how little I know. I want to learn about bamboo from the ground up, but am not sure of any good sources. Sure looking around on here gives me some information but is there a book or something? I guess in the long run I really would like to open a nursery and start growing and selling different types, maybe even timber bamboo for furniture and flooring. Plus I always research anything I do (a little too much sometimes!) so can anyone suggest reading material or videos that has content such as identifying varieties, planting, dividing, caring, cleaning, selling?

[tallgrass]

A couple of my favorites are"Bamboo for Gardens" by T.J. Meredith, and
"Hardy Bamboos, Taming the Dragon" by Paul Wittaker. Other than that I say get some growing and by all means don't be afraid to ask questions. Welculm to the madness.

[Markj]

There's only one way- just grow it and for a few years as well...!

Books are great but their really limited when it comes to location- and as this plant responds soooo differently in different climes( heck- it even responds differently when planted in town and out of town so to speak) that it's real hard to pin point what exactly it'll do.

All the books are good for the basics- part names etc but when it comes to size and rhizome vigor, it's a completely different ballgame.

[stevelau1911]

I've been considering getting Taming the Dragon" by Paul Wittaker since it only costs $22.12 at alibris, but my only skepticism is if it will really have useful information that can be applied.

I'm very interested in learning how varying amounts of sunlight, temperature, water and fertilization all affect the growth of the plant as well as year to year expectations with several given species. I'm also interested in finding out as much as possible about winter damage and what to expect with each given condition. It is very hard to predict how my bamboos will end up looking by March given all the variables. I might be asking for too much out of a book, but pretty much for every climate there are many variables that can determine how bamboos will grow even in the same zone. For example in England, it may be listed as a zone 8, but bamboos are generally limited to the 20-25ft height range due to cool summers while in the central United States where it could be a zone 5 or 6 bamboos grow over 30ft since there are hot and wet summers.

Anyways, Tallgrass, do you think "Taming the Dragon" might be the best book for someone who grows mainly phyllostachys and fargesias? I know I probably should have purchased a book on growing bamboo over a year ago when I started my bamboo growing career.

[Alan_L]

I'm very interested in learning how varying amounts of sunlight, temperature, water and fertilization all affect the growth of the plant as well as year to year expectations with several given species. I'm also interested in finding out as much as possible about winter damage and what to expect with each given condition.

I don't think you're going to find that info in a book. Maybe a paper summarizing the results of a university study, but not a bamboo book.

It is very hard to predict how my bamboos will end up looking by March given all the variables.

I would say it's *impossible*, unless being so close to the lake keeps your weather patterns more predictable, or your bamboos are buried in snow all winter long. From what I've read here, it just takes one "bad" weather day to do some major damage.

I haven't yet bought any bamboo books either, but I did check them all out from the library for a while. I like the Whittaker book, but the hardiness and spread info is probably not applicable for my climate. The Meredith book is good too of course, but I like Whittaker book's format better.

[Iowaboo]

I pretty much learn by growing them and by the time the 10th one has died, I have a pretty good handle on what grows in this climate.

[joe lajeunesse]

I pretty much learn by growing them and by the time the 10th one has died, I have a pretty good handle on what grows in this climate.

ahh the ole trial and error method. so if there really isnt a good book out there, then how does everyone on here know so many terms and can identify so much- i guess just many years doing it?

[Jerry Hamilton]

With so much info here I figure that I can learn more here than any books. I spent a few weeks going thru all the info I coud digest before I joined the forum. Find someone in your area or close to, for every area is different with the boos. There is a wealth of info here.

[Matt in TN]

Really for the most current growing info (also specific to geography) the forum is better than any book you'll ever find. I have and enjoy "The Book of Bamboo" by David Farrelly - but there's only a little growing info in there. Mostly it's about history, uses, and has a pretty decent list and description of species.

[lrss]

this german site has great pictures:http://www.bambus-lexikon.de/sitemap.html

[Alan_L]

so if there really isnt a good book out there, then how does everyone on here know so many terms and can identify so much- i guess just many years doing it?

If you want books about basics of bamboo, terminology, general growing habits, and a species list, there are several good books available. If you want to know how certain species will perform in your location the books won't help unless you live near the authors' gardens.

At least one book is great to have as a reference, to learn nomenclature, and to just look at photos. Especially important when you're just starting out and now have a whole winter to wait through before you can do much more with bamboo. That and this forum.

Bamboo for Gardens by Ted Jordan Meredith
http://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-Gardens-Te ... 0881925071

Hardy Bamboos: Taming the Dragon by Paul Whittaker
http://www.amazon.com/Hardy-Bamboos-Tam ... y_b_text_b

Ornamental Bamboos by David Crompton
http://www.amazon.com/Ornamental-Bamboo ... pd_sim_b_4

Timber Press Pocket Guide to Bamboos by Ted Jordan Meredith
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/088192 ... k2_dp_sr_1

[tallgrass]

my personal favorite is "Bamboo for Gardens' by T.J Meredith, but as so many have said, a book can only generalize. Once you start growing you will learn more about specific plants in specific areas. My favorites are temperate runners (because I have the room) and most large clumpers won't grow here. Glean all the info you can from other growers. especially on this forum. I found the more I learn the less I know, but I keep trying. Wife says I'm getting dumber.

[pbmissions]

It sure is a lot of fun & adventure learning to grow & taking care of a Bamboo. Mine is only 3 years old & still growing.

[joe lajeunesse]

thank you for all the helpful advice. My crews have already started pointing out other areas that I should plant bamboo at my shop. It seems that South America has alot of it and they are almost more excited than me! I will get a couple of these books just to have but I think you are right that experience is better than anything. I actually may be getting my first greenhouse pretty soon- found someone on craigslist that wants to get rid of one so who knows where that will lead to...

[kudzu9]

All those titles are good ones. For those of you who are into expanding your bamboo library, I recommend browsing the many interesting titles available from James Clever at the Bamboo Gardener (Seattle):

http://www.bamboogardener.com/booklist.html

One of the most useful books at that site, particularly if you're starting out, is the catalog produced by the famous French nursery, La Bambouserai. It's got great photos of many of the major bamboo and they're arranged by size. I found it particularly valuable for doing I.D.'s when I first got into bamboo. You can get it in English for $23.