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Eric · 05-08-2009, 09:40 AM

Hi again Bob,
Impressions can be misleading. Moso (Phyllostachys Pubescens), under good conditions, will reach a height of 4-5 feet - with a 1/4-3/8 inch diameter culm - in just under 2 years. It's new shoots are highly edible & the uses, for it's culms, are virtually endless including medicine, fuel, & bridge construction. Native to China & Japan, it is only hardy down to 10 degrees F. but does fare well in South Carolina. It's rated for zone-10, requires full-sun or light shade, and the ideal growing temp is 72 degrees F. However, if you're as determined as me, you won't let that stop you!
Just the same, you might want to consider Phyllostachys Dulcis (Sweetshoot), Phyllostachys Vivax, or the sought-after Phyllostachys Vivax Aureocaulis, all of which are Timbers with a 4-5 inch culm. While Moso is a bit larger, Dulcis is hardy to 0 degrees and the other 2 are hardy to -5 degrees. Dulcis is a tad thinner-walled but has the best tasting shoots of any bamboo. It grows to 40 feet with a 4 inch culm. The -5 F Vivax species have a 5 inch culm, grow to 70 feet, and are rated zones 6-10. The second Vivax (Aureocaulis) - while a bit pricey at $85 - has a beautifull golden culm with occassional green-stripes and somewhat striped leaves. It's very popular in Europe.
I noticed that the lowest temp, in Morris Plains, was -16 degrees F in 1982 and the highest was 102 degrees F in 1953. Moso will be quite marginal while the others would have a great chance of making a stand. Must be nice! We've been as high as 112 degrees F with short winters that rarely even reach the single digits.
Available sources, for the aforementioned bamboos, are Tradewinds Bamboo in Gold Beach Oregon & Burt Associates Bamboo in Westford MA.
By the way, never let 'marginal' get you down. My bamboos were said to be quite 'marginal' in Oklahoma but have been thriving for 5 years now! The only winter-protection I ever provided was a north-wind barrier and I never even knocked the ice off of them after an ice-storm, even the 2007 disaster.
Good luck with the Moso! Keep in touch! I'd love to keep up with how that's faring up there. Michael James, signing off for now.

05-08-2009, 09:40 AM	#27 (permalink)
Eric Banned Eric's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,759 BananaBucks : 185,455 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,364 Times Was Thanked 856 Times in 421 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 163 Times	Re: Intro Hi again Bob, Impressions can be misleading. Moso (Phyllostachys Pubescens), under good conditions, will reach a height of 4-5 feet - with a 1/4-3/8 inch diameter culm - in just under 2 years. It's new shoots are highly edible & the uses, for it's culms, are virtually endless including medicine, fuel, & bridge construction. Native to China & Japan, it is only hardy down to 10 degrees F. but does fare well in South Carolina. It's rated for zone-10, requires full-sun or light shade, and the ideal growing temp is 72 degrees F. However, if you're as determined as me, you won't let that stop you! Just the same, you might want to consider Phyllostachys Dulcis (Sweetshoot), Phyllostachys Vivax, or the sought-after Phyllostachys Vivax Aureocaulis, all of which are Timbers with a 4-5 inch culm. While Moso is a bit larger, Dulcis is hardy to 0 degrees and the other 2 are hardy to -5 degrees. Dulcis is a tad thinner-walled but has the best tasting shoots of any bamboo. It grows to 40 feet with a 4 inch culm. The -5 F Vivax species have a 5 inch culm, grow to 70 feet, and are rated zones 6-10. The second Vivax (Aureocaulis) - while a bit pricey at $85 - has a beautifull golden culm with occassional green-stripes and somewhat striped leaves. It's very popular in Europe. I noticed that the lowest temp, in Morris Plains, was -16 degrees F in 1982 and the highest was 102 degrees F in 1953. Moso will be quite marginal while the others would have a great chance of making a stand. Must be nice! We've been as high as 112 degrees F with short winters that rarely even reach the single digits. Available sources, for the aforementioned bamboos, are Tradewinds Bamboo in Gold Beach Oregon & Burt Associates Bamboo in Westford MA. By the way, never let 'marginal' get you down. My bamboos were said to be quite 'marginal' in Oklahoma but have been thriving for 5 years now! The only winter-protection I ever provided was a north-wind barrier and I never even knocked the ice off of them after an ice-storm, even the 2007 disaster. Good luck with the Moso! Keep in touch! I'd love to keep up with how that's faring up there. Michael James, signing off for now.