Bashania fargesii ?

[glenn smith]

I purchased this as a young plant via the net...advertised
as "windbreak bamboo". It has been repotted twice and is coming along well!

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/medium/wb2.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4203) View large (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4203&size=big)

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/thumbs/wb1.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4202) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/thumbs/wb1a.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4201)

Googling gave me the name Bashania fargesii, but as I see no Bashania in the gallery,
I've nothing to compare it too...?

glenn

[Mark Meckes]

Culmgratulations for providing the first pic of a genus and species! (we hope).
I usually wait till a pic comes along before creating a new category listing, which I have done, and have uploaded/cross linked your pics at the gallery.

It does indeed appear to be Bashania fargesii (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=769).

Any dissenting opinions can be posted here. ;)

Please do take more pics of this species for the gallery when you can.

Cheers,
Mark

[glenn smith]

Yikes!
This one definitely gets in a few extra pots next year!
It does seem to be a very fast grower, the original plant was
5" tall.
Here's a few more photos from today...

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/thumbs/fargesii1.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4208) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/thumbs/fargesii2.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4207) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/thumbs/fargesii3.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4206) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/thumbs/fargesii4.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4205) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/769/thumbs/fargesii5.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4204)

glenn

[Mark Meckes]

I am thrilled to see the results of your photographic talents, and being introduced to new bamboo species I have never had the opportunity to personally meet.
Many thanks from me and others who will be able to learn from the details you are providing. :) :)

Mark
PS ... This species looks very attractive in a container, forming a dense cluster of culms similar to clumpers.
I imagine it will need to be repotted regularly and/or divided in order to maintain this vigorous pace of growth.

[glenn smith]

Hey Mark;

Once I get to the propagation stage with this one, how about I introduce you?
I'll send down a successful start when I get a small one growing, maybe next spring?
Any suggestions for packaging and shipping would be helpful.

glenn

[Mark Meckes]

Hi glenn,
I appreciate the offer.
I'm unsure how well the mountain bamboos such as Bashania, Borinda, Chusquea, Drepanostachyum, Fargesia, Gelidocalamus, Yushania etc would grow in these parts due to the fact that many prefer cooler summer nights, which we don't have.

There needs to be more trials in this area.

I've been thinking about setting up a forum where members can offer plants to swap.

Mark