Does Bambusa Textilis turn blue or is that only Bambusa Textilis 'Glabra'?

[Despotate of bamboo]

Does Bambusa Textilis turn blue or is the only B. Textilis that turns blue the Bambusa Textilis 'Glabra'?

I have been considering acquiring Bambus Textilis however most of the pictures I see show it to be primarily green (green is a great color however I was seeking to increase the variety of species since I have a green Oldhamii) even once it is very developed. The Glabra variant seems to have considerable amounts of blue (and pinkish sheaths yet is not as tall and is recorded as having slightly less cold tolerance. I would consider Glabra a viable option however if both can acquire the same color characteristics I would prefer the B. Textilis. Perhaps the amount of sun light the plant recieves is connected to color change?

Since the Alphonse Karr species (often listed as tolerant to 12F) seems to do so well in this climate I suspect Textilis (frequently listed as 13F) would do well also. The Alphonse Karr we have seems to be growing rapidly and seemed to be fine during the winter (except for the two shoots it attempted to send up during December).

Tropical Bamboo.org's picture of Bambusa Textilis 'Glabra':
http://www.tropicalbamboo.org/subspecies/Bambusa/B_textilis_glabra1sm.jpg

Picture of Bambusa Textilis:
http://www.bambooplantation.com/images/bamboo/btex1.jpg

[Mark Meckes]

Hi, the 2005 ABS source list has both Bambusa multiplex and B textilis species listed a hardy to 18 F / -8 C.

I guess it's a matter of differences of opinions under varying conditions :)

Bambusa textilis var. glabra though similar in size and stature as Bambusa textilis. var. gracilis is different by having culms and culm sheath which are glabrous, or without hairs.

I don't know if all Bambusa textilis species have a glaucous, bluish powdery coating on their culms ...
Bambusa textilis `Kanapaha' is described as such ... " with lower half of culms prominently blue and branchless, but differences may be environmental."

Mark