Beginner trying to spread unknown Bamboo type.

[HeyThurrr]

Hello. I am in Huntington Beach, CA and I have been doing some landscaping in the back yard. There is already some beautiful bamboo growing along one wall & here are some pics (because I do not know what type of bamboo it is):





This bamboo took off like crazy when we got rid of the trees, which allowed bright sun to hit the bamboo all day, almost every day. It spreads pretty quickly too, as new plants popped up about 10 feet away in no time at all, here they are:


I dug up a couple of the newer culms that are about 6 ft tall. I left about 2ft of roots attached to each one and planted them along the wall where I want more bamboo. Unfortunately, it looks like they are not doing too well (2 days after transplant):



Here is a little guy (about 1 ft) that I transplanted as well - which seems to be doing better than the tall ones:



I would like to know if I can expect the transplanted bamboo to survive and eventually thrive.

1. Do you have any tips for me?
2. Should I transplant more?
3. Are there any particular plant foods or pruning techniques?

I am hoping to eventually have a similar look & feel along the 'bare' wall over the next couple of years.

Thank you!
Heather[/img]

[ghmerrill]

Heather,

From the looks of your pics, it looks like you have Phyllostachys aurea, especially one of the last pics, looks like you can see compressed internodes. Also, it looks like the plants are past shooting, and are starting to leaf out well. This really is not a great time to transplant, as the new culms really still need the energy from the parent grove to get them hardened and leafed out fully. They also need to develop more feeder roots. I would wait until late september and do your transplanting then. it will allow the plants to harden off for the summer, and start some rhizome growth, and will be cooler, so the plants you transplant do not stress as much. you may want to pick up some anti-transpirant, or pluck off some leaves on the plant that is curled, or mist it once an hour or so durring the day...... other than that, your idea will work well, and the aurea will hide that wall very well.

Best luck!

Gene

[bambookid524]

Heather,

From the looks of your pics, it looks like you have Phyllostachys aurea, especially one of the last pics, looks like you can see compressed internodes. Also, it looks like the plants are past shooting, and are starting to leaf out well. This really is not a great time to transplant, as the new culms really still need the energy from the parent grove to get them hardened and leafed out fully. They also need to develop more feeder roots. I would wait until late september and do your transplanting then. it will allow the plants to harden off for the summer, and start some rhizome growth, and will be cooler, so the plants you transplant do not stress as much. you may want to pick up some anti-transpirant, or pluck off some leaves on the plant that is curled, or mist it once an hour or so durring the day...... other than that, your idea will work well, and the aurea will hide that wall very well.

Best luck!

Gene

I see what you mean about compressed nodes in one of the pics but does Aurea ever have a yellow sulcus?

Look in the third pic down. The culm has a yellow sulcus. I have never seen that on any Aurea before.

Heather,

Is there a yellow groove in each internode that has branches?

If so, my guess is Aureosulcata. If not then I am going to agree w/ Gene.

-Steve

[ghmerrill]

I think the yellow is more light reflection. the culms on aureasulcata sp. are not as smooth, and the internode looks different too. There is an aurea species with yellow sulcas, however. look at pics of P. aurea 'flavecens-inversa'. very pretty plant. plant it intermingled with aurea 'koi', and you have quite a show.

[bambookid524]

Wow. I had heard of P. Aurea 'F Inversa' but never seen it before. It is a really nice plant.

Glad you told me about it.

-Steve