Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Back again :nanerwizard: !
As I mentioned - much earlier on - Bamboo makes a really nice lumber but not Only as culms. For a quick look at non-primitive uses for bamboo, check:

Bamboo Countertop

I've seen even more exotic lumbers but can't remember the sites, just now.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

For now I have Bambusa lako, Himalayacalamus falconeri and Bambusa ventricosa seeds.
Black bambo germinated after only 3 days and others are still waiting for better days:ha::ha::ha:
:woohoonaner:

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Michael - you're right on, of course. Here, we're starting to use bamboo in flooring, panelling, and cupboardmaking - it's a very attractive pale gold hardwood, actually, and it's much more sustainable than the traditional tropical hardwoods. The only thing is that the planks are a bit thinner than usual mahogany tablon - so it takes more to cover a floor. However, when you weigh that against a one-year growing season, I'd much rather purchase a bit more bamboo than cut down a 200-year old mahogany.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

I agree!

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

So only the black bamboo germinated? I hope the bambusa ventricosa germinates it was hit or miss with me.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Hi :) Lorax,
It was what inspired me about bamboo to begin with. I've also seen very attractive dark-wood stains applied. And since many bamboos grow at an incredible pace, as far as lumber is concerned, I fully agree with you - I Speak For The Trees... too.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Ouh, Im pretty sore it will. As I said it was last sown.:nanadrink:
:woohoonaner:

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

This idea hasn't come to my place yet, although I can grow maybe 100 different hardy bamboos. Possibly a place for business? Maybe. When I have a field once...

My entire yard is surrounded by thujas and they are slowly, yet surely, becoming very strong and difficult to manage. I cut them each year by about 1/6, but they are becoming so massive and robust, that I may have to replace them soon. Bamboo could be an excellent choice...

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Jack, a little 'temperature' info, for you, from the American Bamboo Society:

:) BAMBOOS HARDY TO -20 C (-5F)
Phyllostachys Rubromarginata
Phyllostachys Viridis
Phyllostachys Vivax
Phyllostachys Heteroclada
Phyllostachys Nigra 'Hale'
Phyllostachys Mannii
Indocalamus sp. 'Solidus'
Indocalamus Tesselatus
Sasa Palmata
Sasa Palmata Senanensis
Semiarundinaria Fastuosa
Semiarundinaria Viridis
Shibataea Kumasaca albostriata
Shibataea Lancifolia

:) BAMBOOS HARDY TO -23 C (-10F)
Arundinaria gigantea
Arundinaria gigantea subsp. Tecta
Fargesia Dracocephala
Phyllostachys Afrovaginata
Phyllostachys Aureosulcata
Phyllostachys Aureosulcata Alatu
Phyllostachys Aureosulcata Aureocaulus
Phyllostachys Aureosulcata 'Harbin'
Phyllostachys Spectabilis
Phyllostachys Bissetii
Phyllostachys Bissetii Propingua
Phyllostachys Viridiglaucescens
Pleioblastus Fortunei
Sasamorpha Borealis
Shibataea Chinensis
Shibataea Chinensis Kumasaca

:) BAMBOOS HARDY TO -29 C (-20F)
Fargesia Murieliae
Fargesia Nitida - all cultivars
Phyllostachys Nuda

I hope this will help. There may be others I'm not yet aware of but there are a lot of really nice looking ones here :).

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

I wish I could grow more here but I have to stick to clumping bamboo. I've noticed the prices of bamboo at most nurseries is expensive for me, So I have had to resort to growing from seed, with patience in a few years it will be huge.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Great list MJ, I thought this might be a popular thread. Will try and post pics of seedlings soon.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Anyone know where to get some P. 'Alphonse Karr' or P. nigra? Seeds or rhizomes...

What other clumping hardy ones are good?

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Will be looking around. BTW, the Alphonse is actually of the genus 'Bambusa' and ya might want to watch the P. Nigra; while essentially a clumping-type, the rhizomes are quite vigorous - in China it is considered a runner-type & kept in check. Also, if you ever plan on potting Nigra, it has been known to bust through ceramic pots, within a couple of years, due to strong & rapid rhizome expansion.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

I've always wanted to grow Black bamboo but I'm concerened because it een known to run!

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Michael,
I figured out it was Bambusa just after I posted it but didn't take the time to correct it. Oops, just making sure you all are paying attention, lol.

I'd like to keep it in a pot but the ground is best, at least for the first few years.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Silly error, make it myself sometimes. Luv your choices; if we had about 20 degrees to spare, Alphonse would be high on my list. Have been considering Nigra due to the elaborate colorations over the 1st couple of years of culm development. However, am currently considering shocking the neighbors with some Moso :).
BTW, we both seem to be targetting around 35 feet. Am constantly on the lookout for new varieties of bamboo. Will let ya know If I discover any fascinating zone-8 clumpers.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

Taylor,

I had some P. nigra potted up but they gave in to the heat/drought while I was on vacation. Some of it may still be alive. I dig some up every spring.

I would suggest you look into the Bambusa textilis varieties. They are a little less hardy than multiplex but have an upright growth habit while multiplex tends to look 'bushy'. Some good ones are........

B. textilis
B. textilis 'Gracilis'
B. textilis 'Albostriata'
B. textilis 'Mutabilis'
B. textilis 'Glabra'

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

This is my latest project; Khasia bamboo.




The plant is every bit as healthy as any bamboo I've received, to date. In fact I was a bit surprised to receive such a large plant as a "1-gallon" sized specimen. As with most bamboos, it will double it's size by next spring.
For more info, refer to the 1st post in this thread (bottom of that post).

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

This post is a nice read. Its great to find a guide to bamboo that doesn't take half a day to read. Thanks Eric.

Re: A guide to Bamboo
 

In August, I planted 2 pots of Phyllostachys aureosulcata "Spectabilis", last week I noticed 5 young shoots already. They were on clearance at Lowe's for $15 each. They're about 5' tall now, can't wait to see the red trunks and zig-zag shape of the canes.