What's your most aggressive runner?

[Iowaboo]

Ah yes, I remember the wheelbarrow adventures. You were able to spread the rubro fire across state lines.

[saltcedar]

Ok, so technically it's not a runner, but it's sure acting like
one. OTATEA ACUMINATA AZTECORUM







From a one gallon pot 4.5 years ago. Culms are often two feet
away from one another. This clump is now ~23ft wide! Growing in clay, near a creek in nearly full sun.

[kudzu9]

saltcedar-
Great shots; beautiful grove. Makes me wish my Zone was a little gentler...

[saltcedar]

Thanks Kudzu

Common wisdom is that Mexican Weeping Bamboo
won't grow here. Neither will that Eucalyptus in the
photo either

[philinshelton]

Chinese Walking Stick bamboo
<img src=http://d1102295.u38.infinology.net/imag ... _04-06.jpg>

[kudzu9]

Phil-
I remember seeing your Chinese Walking Stick grove when I visited and being impressed. How much work do you have to do to keep it reined in?

[philinshelton]

Gil, I rototill 2-3 time a year, on top of taking perimeter divisions 1-2 times a year.

[satx78218]

LewisBamboo.com also warns that Ph. rubro is a very aggressive spreader that needs close watching.

I'm a little disappointed that rubro seems to spread fast, but doesn't size up to max diam/height with the same speed, does it?

[Iowaboo]

Bashania fargesii is said to be a deep and potent runner from multiple sources.

I'm a little disappointed that rubro seems to spread fast, but doesn't size up to max diam/height with the same speed, does it?

I'm not sure what your implying. It has a lot of diameter and height to make up compared to a small vigorous runner like bissetii. So sure, it'll take some time to reach max size.

[Thuja]

Rubro was set back this winter miserably and is slowly making a recovery this summer. I think it's going to need lots more time and a couple mild winters to size up here in the north country.

[Iowaboo]

Rubro was set back this winter miserably and is slowly making a recovery this summer

In a more detail explanation, thuja, height/distance ect?
Sure, mine reluctantly died to the ground last winter, but it came back taller and in a greater radius than last year. Shoots appeared at end of may into june.


The problem I have with planting these bamboo in wilderness is a large percentage of shoots are getting slaughtered by animals. The best solution is adding little mulch and no cultivation by the bamboo. My tallest rubro shoots are 5 feet away from the clump growing in 6 ft tall brome grass. It works because the rabbits don't see them as well, so less destruction.

I remedied the situation this year by planting most of my 2006 bamboo closeby to the homestead(able to keep close eye on them).

[Thuja]

3' tall currently, which is shorter than last year at this time.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/ ... ly2006.jpg" border="0" alt="2nd summer">
Granted, this is only its 2nd summer, so it has much more time to prove itself worthy. Very surprisingly it has not yet sent any shoots outside the main motherclump. Part of my surprise arises from comparison with other bamboo such as Ph. propinqua 'Beijing' which has sent up nice shoots all over the place.

[needmore]

4th year Rubro here has not only spread like wildfire, it has a couple of culms at 22 feet by 1.25 inches and several other 18'x1"er's and I consider that to be pretty good upsizing for bamboo in this climate anyway.

[Iowaboo]

3' tall currently,

Nevertheless, it looks quite lush. G.I joe action figures would be walking through vietnam jungle.

couple of culms at 22 feet by 1.25

Bradneedmore, is rubro the tallest bamboo at your place, or has another risen to the occasion?

[needmore]

Lancet, 5th year Yellow Grove produced a couple of culms that were sticking well above my 21 foot marker, I'd guess them at right around 25 feet to take the prize this year. Others:

4th year Rubro - 22 fet
4th year Viridis - 21 feet+ (still shooting and climbing when I left)
4th year Atrovaginata - 20 feet
3rd year Bissetii - 20 feet

Glauca Yunzhu receives honorable mention for attaining 18 feet in year 2.