natedogg1026

Could anyone suggest a fast spreading hardy bamboo for my area(Z6)? I've found several on the net but would like some thoughts from some real bamboo growers. Thanx in advance.-Nate

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Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

Eric

What's the coldest winter temperature you can remember, where you live?

natedogg1026

around 5F.

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Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

Eric

Great ! I've been successfully growing 5 different species for over 5 years now (you can see the results in my albums). I'll run through my files and see what your better options are.
BTW, what aesthetic qualities did you have in mind?

Jack Daw

I expect lots of banana bucks for this one. LOL. Just kiddin'.
See the attachment, all the hardy bamboos for zone 6 to 7.

Attached Files

Hardy bamboos.doc (34.5 KB, 4 views)

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EUROPEAN MEMBERS. I am looking for any edible banana cultivars.
Thnx to Marcel, Ante, Dr. Chiranjit Parmar and Francesco for the plants I've received so far.

Not so precise weather sticker:


Interesting video, a part of Russian analysis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM2Ql3wOGcU

Eric

Thanx ! Send a few Nanner-Bucks your way. For now, think I'll check the ref out .

Upon inspection, will very likely have to rule out the mountain varieties. Checked with weather history, for that area, and it is subject to spells as low as -15 degress F in February.
Will check some of the others out, though .

Nate - BTW, what we're trying to target is species that will not only survive those temps but in a non-dormant state. While the culms may not survive (for some species) at certain temps, the rhizomes can survive lower temps and send up new shoots in spring.

Eric

Hi Nate ,
Central Oklahoma was deemed a -10 degrees F area. 2 of the species I've grown for 5 years (the tallest ones in my album) were rated at -5 degrees F and considered marginal for my area. I took a chance & it worked. Even encased, for days, in the great 2007 ice-storm, they came back beautifully, with no loss.
I would consider southeast Kansas to be a -15 degrees F area but with global warming & recent climate changes...

Will pm you a list of bamboos tolerant to -5, -10, & -20.

sandy0225

Yellow groove Phylostachys Aurea, does really well here. I might have it spelled wrong though! (pretty sure) it's a runner though. You want to put a trench around it and watch it every month or so for runners to cross the trench and snip them to keep it in line. Mine has gotten to be about 17 feet tall here. Last winter we did get down to -25 once briefly and we had some canes die back, but you'd never know it now. We started out with 10-12 pots and now have a grove about 10x40.

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Sandy Burrell



Northern Tropics Greenhouse
1501 East Fuson Road
Muncie, IN 47302
www.northerntropics.com


specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~
check out our new online store at our website!

Eric

Hi Sandy ,
Excellent suggestion. For additional info:
Phyllostachys Aurea (aka Golden bamboo) is common to shady woodlands of E. Asia & S.E. China. It's hardy to zone 6 but the rhizomes do spread rapidly with increasing heat. It has about 15mm diameter canes & flowers every few years. However, unlike many bamboos, it is not drought-resistant and, therefore, will require regular waterings. As an additional treat, the shoots are not only edible, but one of the best tasting of that genus. In the spring, when the shoots have reached about 8 cm in height (above ground), cut them about 5 cm below ground. Also, as the flowers (of this species) are hermaphroditic & bamboo pollination is air-borne, they could be covered after flowering to ensure new generations of the identical species.
Much appreciate your sharing those observations! Will definitely add them to my log & may even try some myself.
Thanx again, Sandy, great input!

BTW, you might want to consider a high-density polyurethane rhizome barrier. They're a bit of trouble to install but if you already have the trench, I find them very effective.

Eric

BTW, just started a new thread in this section called "A Guide to Bamboo". Feel free to check it out.