Megurochiku question

[kudzu9]

I planted a 5 gallon, 3-culm Ph. nigra 'Megurochiko' a couple of years ago. It put up about a half dozen good-size culms last year. However, none of them have the distinctive brown-black stripe in the sulcus. Is this like other nigras where the coloration comes in a couple of years after the shooting?

[Steve in France]

Mine has a good few black sulcus culms ,but I had to leave the Country to get them . Mine is my garden in France and I wish I had taken a pic of it close up.
I does take three years to colour up I believe. Wonderful effect when you do get the colour .
Its back by the fence next to the aureosulcata aureocaulis

[kybamboozle]

Mine is the same way
I planted Meguochiku 3 or 4 years ago and although it has done well with height and cold tolerance it is very slow to turn the sulcus. There are a few very small original culms which have some brown patches but that is all. It only had the tips of leaves burnt during this winters brutal cold/wind but has been very slow to put up shoots this year. The regular nigra put up shoots three weeks ago and the megurichiko just started yesterday. My nigra took almost 3 years to start turning.

Anyone have any theories on why some localities have quicker color ups? I have alkaline clay soil and 6b/7a temps. I fertilize with horse manure wood shavings.

[David]

Hello All,

Gil I think it takes several years for the sulcus to turn, mine are just beginning to turn after 5-6 years in the ground. I suspect that when the plant matures we will see more color- kind of like Bory.