When to plant?

[ClariBoo]

I'm getting a few types of boo soon and have others on my list for the near future.

I'm worried that with our hot dry summers in Houston, it may be getting too late to plant the little 3 and 5 gallon sizes. Should i put them in pots and wait til after next winter to plant in the ground?

Himalayacalamus hookerianus is coming from Bamboo Sourcery.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' and Bambusa malingensis are both coming from Tropical Bamboo.

I know the Himalayacalamus is going to need shade. Should I wait until autumn to plant it in the ground? Or just keep is as a potted plant indoors?

On my list for the near future I've got Oldhamii, Bambusa ventricosa 'Kimmei', Bambusa lako.

Can the plants that say "full sun" really take Texas "full sun" or should they be given time to get established before taking on the heat of our summer? A few of the big varieties I'd like to have planted in the back yard to give some afternoon shade once they get grown up.

Sorry for all the questions.
MT,
Daniel

[kudzu9]

They'll be happier in the ground. In hot summers it's easier for a bamboo to get too dry in a pot. Just plant them and keep them well-watered.

[ClariBoo]

Very good. My instinct said plant them, but I always tend to second guess myself. Especially when the weather starts going all goofy like this week. End of May and we're just getting out "April Showers".

MT,
Daniel

[kudzu9]

Daniel-
I have planted year-round and never had a problem. I admit I live in a milder summer climate, but I think it's sound advice to put them in the ground as soon as you can, wherever you are (as long as it's not January in Alaska). The only time I've had difficulties is when I left stuff in pots too long, or let the pots sit in my hot driveway and forgot to water.

My only caution is to disturb the plant as little as possible getting it out of the pot. I usually just hold the plant off the ground by the strongest culm and rap around the top of the pot until it falls off. Then it goes directly into the planting hole. There's no need to loosen up the outer soil or roots, even if it looks rootbound.

[kinderc]

Daniel:: first off 3 and 5gallon 'starts' ;are NOT considered Small in the world of "bamboo by mail" or UPS.. SMALL are the litttle "giblets" in one gallon containers. (and some even smaller:: ONE quart and ONE liter size container ? ? for Bamboo ? ? I don't believe in them, but they DO sell.
And YES, I would agree w/ the others who have suggested "putting them IN THE GROUND".:: As suggested just keep them well watering thru the summer, (but especially the first month or two, when they are still getting over transplant shock).. But you don't need to "drown' them. 4-8 gallon of water PER plant, per watering should be plenty, about twice a week, every week that you do not get apprecialble rain..

Again, I strongly suggest that you get acquainted w/ the Bamboo folks at Mercer TOMORROW,:: their plants may seen a bit expensive at first glance, but they will be FIRST class plants and you DON'T HAVE TO PAY SHIPPING CHARGES.... And they WILL have some very nice B. Oldhamii, I am sure. Sorry that I have to miss it.. We LOVE the plant sales at Mercer.....

Our Best regards to all.. Kinder in Central TExas..

PS:: and OFF subject:: Tomorrow I will be the "designated" "cottonpickin' cottonpicker" , at our "Buckholts Cotton Festival"...... Yawl Come.. Z You can visit our bamboo groves while your here.