I Ordered Yellow Groove...But is That What I Got?

[Kanoth]

About this time last year I ordered some Phyllostachys aureosulcata from a place online. It came in just fine in it's 5 gallon bucket. I planted it last year and had a few shoots, but I'm seeing my first shoots of this year now.

I'm wondering if that's what I really got, the culms arent green, they're all yellow (because of the small diameter culms?), I'm wondering if I got aurea instead. Here are some pictures, digital camera doesnt like to let me focus very well, If you need clearer ones I'll dive into my manual.

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/medium/bamboo4.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3874) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/shoot032407.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3875)

[Mark Meckes]

Hi, it's definitely a P. aureosulcata but is it the form 'Spectabilis'?

Check out the gallery category: Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=573)

This species shoots usually emerge more pinkish in color.
Check any of the culm internodes for green stripes on them.

This species is a real beauty!

Mark

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Kanoth,
I should note that if P. aureosulcata culms are exposed to full sun that the green portion of their culms can fade to a yellowish color, for example, as shown in this pic:
Phyllostachys aureosulcata - PI#55713 Plot E3, 2005, USDA ARS Byron GA USA
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/PasulcataE3BGA050216-736.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=1630)

When they are more shaded, the bottom portion says green, with a yellow groove, with the exception of their tops which fade to a golden yellow.

Mark

[Kanoth]

Ah, yeah these are in full sun. They get it in the summer from morning to a few hours before sunset.

[Kanoth]

I'll have a better idea once this new shoot comes up this year, it's far thicker than the rest of the plant so I'll be able to get a better look without straining the ol' eyes. One thing I did notice is there's a bit of white around the internodes.

[Mark Meckes]

You should know for sure within a couple of weeks as the internodes elongate to expose the culm ...

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/573/thumbs/PaspectabilisATX050409-007.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=1329)

or the sheaths begin dropping off ...

Phyllostachys aureosulcata
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/1aureosulcata8.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=898)

Your pics have been assigned to the P. aureosulcata category and if we find out differently we can move them.

Thanks for providing us with progressive pics!

Mark

[Kanoth]

Few more shoots spotted. Overcast today so no new ones in sight. The first has grown to 5.5 inches. Here's the first with pictures of the other two, saddly I stepped on the 3rd which was very well hidden in my zoysia grass.

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/shoot01-032607.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3893&cat=500&ppuser=1682) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/shoot02-032607.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3895&cat=500&ppuser=1682) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/shoot03-032607.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3897&cat=500&ppuser=1682)

[Kanoth]

Okay so the sheaths have started falling away. Culm is all green, no groove (because it's still young yet), and no yellow markings.

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/shoot01-040107.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3930&cat=500&ppuser=1682)
Also I've got some low temperatures coming (upper 20s as a low) should I cover my new shoots? Does my culm pictured above need to be protected?

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Kanoth,
That's some impressive growth since you posted the emerging shoots!
It's looking more like P. aureosulcata.

In smaller diameter culms the yellow is more pronounced in the groove on the internode that will begin above the first leafy side branches.
As the planting/culms get larger in diameter, the round culm internodes (before the branching begins) will exhibit a yellow striation as shown in this pic:

Phyllostachys aureosulcata - Oklahoma USA - bfahrny
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/Bamboo1b.jpg ([url=http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3584)

BTW, there is a variety ... P. aureosulcata 'Alata' in which the internode groove is not yellow but remains green.

Also I've got some low temperatures coming (upper 20s as a low) should I cover my new shoots? Does my culm pictured above need to be protected?

I think ... er, am hoping that they will survive these temps.

I don't know any way to protect them when they are this height except putting a tent over them.

Here's a thread started to discuss this topic: Shoot cold hardiness of temperate bamboo species (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2432)

Mark

[cngodles]

A almost totally green culm I planted last summer washed out to almost complete yellow over last Summer.