Hurricane wind burn damage to bamboo leaves

[BlueGreyFog]

Hello,

I have 20 bamboo plants in my yard, 5 different varieties. Of all of them, it was the Black Atros that got the most damage during Hurricane Katrina. (South Florida, at a category 1)

I lost half of my new shoots, but the lasting problem is how wind burned the leaves got. The leaves went from emerald green to shredded and brown along the edges. They really took a beating! This makes for a shabby overall appearance.

What I'd like to know is, if I cut off the leaves, as they're not dropping on their own, will new leaves grow in their place? They are 3rd year in the ground, 15-20 feet tall.

Meanwhile, we're looking at Hurricane Wilma now, and I wish I could throw a net over the whole thing to protect it better. Thanks a lot.
Advice is much appreciated!

[Mark Meckes]

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear that another hurricane is heading your way.

Have all the new shoots for this year finished shooting and produced side branches and leaves?

Did any of them get frazzled from hurricane Katrina?

Cutting off the leaves can stimulate the buds on the branches to wake up and make new leaves, but of course it's best to wait till Wilma goes away.

In cooler areas the biggest danger of stimulating new growth late in the season is frost.

Best wishes re: Wilma
~ Mark

[BlueGreyFog]

Thanks Mark.

Certainly I'm going to wait for Wilma to pass before cutting the leaves.
I may not have any leaves to cut though, as a category 3 hurricane may wipe them all out. And I'm also crossing my fingers for the rest of my fellow bamboo owners around here. For that matter, I'm hoping for everyone's safety!

Anyway, my firsthand experience is that the black atros are much more sensitive than the other bamboo in the yard, with the vittata being the hardiest.

;)