bambooweb.info

I've been reading up on bamboo for the last year or so and decided to join here. I currently have a couple of specimens in my collection and am looking to obtain others or more bamboo in general. Definitely some sweet stuff.

For some background info, I threw in two medium sized Phyllostachys a. Spectabilis plants (probably 12-14', 8-10 culms) and two medium sized Phyllostachys a. Harbin Inversas (maybe 8' tall, 8-10 culms) in my back yard last fall. Unfortunately, I think the wind fried them and they were topkilled almost completely. They've bounced back with a ton of culms this year, but nothing is more than 6' tall. I'm guessing that they need a year to get accustomed to the location and am hoping for better success in this location in future years.

This summer, I got some more Spectabilis (2 plants, a bit shorter than the ones purchased last year) and some Arundinaria Gigantea (about 4 plants, 5' tall, 6-10 culms) and am looking to build up a screen from the neighbors. I know it will fill in eventually, but I'm eager to get some more bamboo to continue to space out this screen. Probably getting some Bissetti, maybe one other variety.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and check if there is anyone else near Cleveland interested in thinning out their crop or helping out a beginner bamboo collector.

Bigboy

Welcome to the Forums... lots of folks here in chilly areas, so Im sure you will get great info. Whats your climate zone? you may be in for a yearly thing with some of your boos getting fried each winter, Im sure Brad and some of the others on here who are zonally challenged can help you there!

Fairly new here myself.

Down in hot and dry Texas!

Thanh

Your zone looks to be 5-6, so the bamboo you have chosen are mostly at there zone limits. They will take several growing seasons to up size and depending upon your winter wind exposure they might not reach listed heights. Check out needmore's website http://www.needmorebamboo.com for much more detailed information.

Hey Bigboy,
You should get one of those temporary greenhouses...
Make sure it is strong enough to hold the snow!!!

Thanks for the welcome and replies.

Yeah, z5-6. I suppose it's debatable depending upon whom you ask. Obviously, microclimates come into play. The stuff I planted in the fall is more or less out in the open, conversely, what was planted this year is nestled between my house and some other structures. While some wind will whip through, I'm predicting it won't be as bad. Regardless, it seems that it's a crap shoot with the vast majority of these plants, the colder the zone. From what I've surmised, you can do some things to alter the climate and shelter the plants in winter, but they're ultimately still at the mercy of mother nature, and we all know that she can be a moody bitch at times.

It would be pretty beast to rock out a mini greenhouse, although I'm assuming it's a bit out of my budget, hah. Furthermore, while I don't know about the cost of something like that, I'd imagine that the desired effect could be achieved through the purchase of more (quantity) and more mature bamboo to fill in the area for the same amount of money it costs to erect said structure, if not for substantially less. Granted, you'd want that new bamboo to have a full growing season to establish itself. Again, I don't have all of the information in front of me, but it would seem to be the case for me. Tony, I'm more concerned about the howling wind drying everything out/freezing it than the snow.

I've seen Brad's site before--it is an absolute abundant wealth of information, especially since he's in a similar zone. I'm guessing his winters might be a bit more mild, but all in all, our experiences are probably fairly similar. Good job on the site, man; it's an excellent resource.

To the brogey down in TX, keep that shizz watered, man--those puppies get dried out FAST!

Look forward to discussing more and learning more about this fascinating plant.

The BigBoy

bigboy wrote:Thanks for the welcome and replies.

Tony, I'm more concerned about the howling wind drying everything out/freezing it than the snow.


The BigBoy

Yes that is the reason for the green house.
I only mentioned snow as it will destroy a Lt. duty structure.
I'm not sure how much bamboo you have but I am building a temp. A-frame with poly for mine.
I have 4 patio doors that were FREE that I will build my Green house for the pots.

Yeah, z5-6. I suppose it's debatable depending upon whom you ask. Obviously, microclimates come into play. The stuff I planted in the fall is more or less out in the open, conversely, what was planted this year is nestled between my house and some other structures. While some wind will whip through, I'm predicting it won't be as bad. Regardless, it seems that it's a crap shoot with the vast majority of these plants, the colder the zone. From what I've surmised, you can do some things to alter the climate and shelter the plants in winter, but they're ultimately still at the mercy of mother nature, and we all know that she can be a moody bitch at times.

You've got the right idea, I never asked but do you get the lake effect snow? It seems parts of Cleveland don't get that snow source while others do. Snow is a wonderful insulating environment and will help protect the bamboo from the winter wind. If you have the available space, you could plant bamboo that is hardier then the bamboo you have and create a natural windbreak. A. gigantea for example is native to Ohio and is known to survive -20Fº, planted in a windbreak in front of more sensitive bamboo's like Phyllostachys a. Spectabilis or Phyllostachys a. Harbin Inversa, might prevent them from going "blond" over the winter.

A greenhouse would limit you to having potted specimens, but would allow you to order rare specimens and let them up size inside a controlled environment until you deemed them worthy of being planted. (Alot of Folks on this Forum do this) But its a added expense and I myself don't have the space or money to do such a thing. Buying larger 25 gal + field division may be the way to go if you want to see mature groves earlier in that climate. Any bamboo rated A+ on needmore's website would be a place to start.

I'm on the other side of the lake in a similar edge zone. Last winter was particularly severe compared to the last 5-6. Are you far enough east to be in the snow belt? The snow can make a big difference. After last winter I had many culms with a single green branch on the bottom . We don't get enough snow to make much difference here.

I think Spectabilis is a good choice. Even when top killed, it will come back strong; good number of new culms and size. Bissetti seems good for a lower hedge. It comes back very thick (many culms) but hasn't sized up after four years; still mostly around six foot. Clone selection and protection are strong variables though. Small plot at my old house two miles away was consistently 8 - 12 feet.

David