Can Vivax Grow Straight???

[Bamabamboo]

I keep reading about how the Vivax grows with a wobble as if the nodes are somewhat offset. I've also seen examples of this posted on this website......but the Vivax I have growing is VERY STRAIGHT...Almost to the point of making me doubt it's really Vivax.......Can someone explain this?

Here are some PICS......

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/538/thumbs/DAVIDCLARKJR_6-2-07001.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4770&cat=538&ppuser=2270) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/538/thumbs/DAVIDCLARKJR_6-2-07007.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4769&cat=538&ppuser=2270) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/538/thumbs/DAVIDCLARKJR_6-2-07006.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4768&cat=538&ppuser=2270)

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/538/thumbs/DAVIDCLARKJR_6-2-07003.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4767&cat=538&ppuser=2270) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/538/thumbs/DAVIDCLARKJR_6-2-07002.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4766&cat=538&ppuser=2270)

This is My Friend David......He's the one who got me addicted to this stuff!!!!!!!........lol
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/538/thumbs/DSC00169.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4765&cat=538&ppuser=2270)

Thanks for your Help!!!!!

[Carlo]

Hi BigBamboo,
Your "Vivax" is not so straight and the nodes have some "offset" at my eyes.
Your culms are huge, woooaaa! In which region do you live?
There are few phyllostachys species that can have such large culms:
P. Bambusoides, P. Vivax, P Heterocycla/Edulis (including Moso).
I think its a vivax :), but I have some doubt because of your shoots blades color :S
For sure Mark can help you more....

[Bamabamboo]

Yeah...now that I look a little closer, I can see some wobble I guess......But for the most part, they are pretty straight........

I Live in North Alabama and this stuff LOVES this soil

[Mark Meckes]

Hi BigBamboo,
Nice pics! Indeed this looks like Phyllostachys vivax.
Yep, the "wobble" is seen when looking up the culm, wobbling this way and that way from node to node, especially noticeable with larger culms.

However large diameter P. vivax culms do not have much of a taper as they can grow very tall, especially in a mixed forest environment, and their diameter only gradually decreases.

When you harvest and cut open a culm, you will also see that they are relatively thin-walled, and ribbed, as shown here:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/539/thumbs/1PvivaxM15-MGA050227-799.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=965)

How long have you been growing this bamboo? It looks like it's getting nicely established.
About when do the shoots emerge in your area?

BTW, do you know if the bamboo to the right of this pic ...
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/davidclarkjr/BAMBOO/th_DAVIDCLARKJR_6-2-07006.jpg (http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/davidclarkjr/BAMBOO/DAVIDCLARKJR_6-2-07006.jpg)

... is it Phyllostachys aureosulcata (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=520) - Yellow Groove Bamboo?

... or Phyllostachys viridis 'Houzeau' (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=598)?
(links to pics at Bamboo Flora)

Mark

[Bamabamboo]

OK, I'm convinced now......It's definetly P.vivax.....

This particular area where the Vivax is growing has been there 40 plus years........This bamboo is not on my property but I was told I can get all I want. Its an elderly couple in their 90's who have lived there all their lives. They both are still very active and have a nice garden. The Bamboo is coming into their garden and they want it gone. They have asked me to come and cut down as many canes as I can and dig up as many roots as I can.
In other words, I hit the motherload of P. Vivax....lol.....This stuff is every bit of 70' tall and 5" DIA. Its a very impressive patch of bamboo, no doubt.
This year the shoots didn't start coming up until Late April/Early May.......Kinda Late if ya ask me.....But they sure are BIG!!!!

Anyway, I have dug up LOTS of root systems and planted them back on my property.....They have handled the relocation very well and have lots of new shoots coming up.
I have also cut down LOTS of canes and I now have a surplus of poles for projects around the house.

Aside from the P.Vivax growing here in North Alabama, we also have some VERY impressive Red Margin growing in MANY locations.......Its almost like its growing wild.......Its everywhere......This stuff is everybit of 50' tall and 3+ inches in Dia.......I have lots of it growing on my property as well......

(See Thread: Lots of P. rubromarginata growing in Alabama (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2611))

As for the Yellow Groove Bamboo you asked about......I really wouldn't know....Maybe you can educate me on that......Do I have some of that growing as well?????

(See Thread: Yellow Groove: Is it P. aureosulcata or P. viridis 'Houzeau' (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2610))

Thanks,
Cyrus
(BIGBAMBOO)

[ShmuBamboo]

Hi BigBamboo,
Your "Vivax" is not so straight and the nodes have some "offset" at my eyes.
Your culms are huge, woooaaa! In which region do you live?
There are few phyllostachys species that can have such large culms:
P. Bambusoides, P. Vivax, P Heterocycla/Edulis (including Moso).
I think its a vivax :), but I have some doubt because of your shoots blades color :S
For sure Mark can help you more....

Henon (Phy. nigra 'Henon') can also easilly get that size.