DENDROCALAMUS STRICTUS from seed?

[cngodles]

Mark, what's your experience with DENDROCALAMUS STRICTUS from seed? My seed site is selling it cheap, and I love trying new bamboo!

I would certainly keep it indoors over the winter.

??

[kenaibilly]

Hi 'cngodles', this post is from 'kenaibilly'. I planted 30 D. strictus seeds on May 24th and today (06/09/2007) there are 8 seedlings evident.

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/766/medium/D_-strictus-seedlings.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4166) View large (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4166&size=big)

This is about 24 0/0 and is average for this Bamboo species unless the seed is very well ripened prior to harvest and well handled after harvest. If I were you I would jump on the cheap seed offer as this Iron (or 'Male") Bamboo is a very beautiful plant and is the only Bamboo that can be nailed in construction with-out cracking. A must have for crafting fences and other items that need pilot holes for screws or thru holes to pass another piece thru for a gate, etc. The fact that it can grow to 60 feet+ is great too. You can pull the growing tip out of the culm when it reaches 10' or so and the culm will branch out rather than grow taller. This practice makes for a good candidate for container growing though NOT to be done if you are after it for timber usage. Hope this encouragement helps.. kenaibilly

[cngodles]

I live in Western PA, so I'm guessing I won't grow them outside here?

Still, I like house plants.

They also have DENDROCALAMUS membranaceus, should I get those? I hear they are harder to grow, plus not very cold hardy.

[kenaibilly]

Hi cngodles,

Hey... why not try both of these B'oos if the price is right.:) Seed is plentiful now which is a far cry from just a few years ago!!!! Like Mark has said, by our hands-on experience and willingness to share this knowledge, we collectively have more useful information than we probably need. Something about the lure of 'going where no man has gone before,' Plus point, we have varieties not available to the general populance thru the average run-of-the-mill nursery or garden center.... big plus point: ' we did it ourselves ' and may even have a few extras to 'gift away' or barter with.

The genera Dendrocalomus are basically all giant tropical clumping Bamboos similar to the Bambusa members. That means most of them are going to be very tender compared to the sub-tropical 'running' Bamboos. I think you might find the membranaceus or NEW NAME: Bambusa membranancea more difficult but not impossible. I've had 10 seeds started now for about a week so I might change my mind on this one:confused: ... a few more weeks will tell more. Also, the D. strictus is a hardier member and also a great container plant due to it's tight packed clump growing habit.
Reminder: YOU control the final height of the plant.... simply pull out the 'growing point' from the ends of the culm when it gets to your required height and over a few years the plant will adapt to the 'new height'. We may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, BUT Bamboo is a fast learner when cared for properly.

Hope this gets you B'ooin like a pro:cool: !!!!
kenaibilly

[cngodles]

You certainly talked me into it.

I'll be getting 100 seeds of the following:

BAMBUSA arundinacea
DENDROCALAMUS membranaceus
DENDROCALAMUS STRICTUS

I've already grown:

PHYLLOSTACHYS pubescens "Moso"
PHYLLOSTACHYS heteroclada "WATER BAMBOO"

from there. (pasting names, so no need to correct me).

I'll just have to keep them in pots then. Plus, they are clumpers (maybe the arundinacea is not), so they will be even easier to pot. I hope they can take the lesser light in the winter. I definetly need a greenhouse.

Thanks for the encouragement, I'll be buying these Fridayish.

[kenaibilly]

Sounds like your plantation is off and running:) with a great cross section of B'oo plants soon to be gracing your quarters. There is something soooo exciting about that first seedling of the batch poking it's little head into the world for it's first look around. My 20 P. pubescens "Moso" seeds are still about a week away from showing their presence. I tried 20 seeds of P. heteroclada 'water bamboo' at the same time so they are in a race to be first out to meet me!!! Talk about a hardy number, that 'water bamboo' survives in some parts of Alaska so I have a protected spot reserved for two of them when they are ready to become residents next spring. We are Zone 4b to 5a here in Kenai. Most of the time.... and I mean MOST of the time!!! The only thing for sure is the length of the days. Short ( about 4 to 6 hours ) in the winter and long ( right now we have 20 hours of 'visible' day light ) with sunrise at 4:25AM and sunset at 11:50PM and we are still gaining over 2 minutes a day. The sun is out full today and it got up into the low 60's. You can actually see the grass grow in this light and warmth.

When you order seed I would be interested in sharing with you if you don't have firm plans for all of them. I try to start at least 20 of a genus each time because less than that can be disappointing with some of their different seed.

Keep up the good growth and let us know how these turn out for you. One that can stand up to your winters that you might want to try is Phyllostachys auroesulcata 'Alata' if you can find seed for it. There is a grower with his seedling in his yard in Alberta, Canada that has survived the last 2 winters and is still growing good!!!

[cngodles]

Yeah, Wayne. I've talked to him quite a few times.

[cngodles]

Got my seeds today, planting some tonight. Got 100 of each. These Dendrocalamus seeds are alot fatter than the phyll kind.

Seed pictures coming as well.

[cngodles]

One strictis seed came up in only 10 days planted directly in soil. I had one also show it's first leaf after only 6 days in the plastic bag.

[kenaibilly]

Way to go:) !!! The strictus I planted on 05/24/07 are now pushing along great with the firstling topping 8" and looking beautiful.... have several with branched culms and strong leaves already:p This one is a heat-loving-fast-grower that you will love ;)

Keep up the GREAT job, Billy

[cngodles]

New seedlings ... See Thread link - Bambusa bambos (B. arundinacea) from seed
Here are the Bambusa Arundinacea Seedlings.

http://bamboo.statedirt.com/images/thumb/9/99/Bambusa_arundinacea_seedlings_01.jpg/800px-Bambusa_arundinacea_seedlings_01.jpg

[cngodles]

A DENDROCALAMUS membranaceus shoot came up today.

Finally, all three have at least one shoot.

[cngodles]

Picture of a new Strictus seedling that I planted today.

http://bamboo.statedirt.com/images/thumb/2/28/2007_dendrocalamus_strictus_seedling_01.jpg/800px-2007_dendrocalamus_strictus_seedling_01.jpg

http://bamboo.statedirt.com/images/thumb/f/fa/2007_dendrocalamus_strictus_seedling_02.jpg/591px-2007_dendrocalamus_strictus_seedling_02.jpg