Lots of P. rubromarginata growing in Alabama

[Bamabamboo]

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......

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Cyrus,
Very interesting about P. rubromarginata becoming naturalized in Alabama. (Do upload some pics when you can)
Perhaps this was a culmsequence of the research done way back in the 1950's(?) that determined this species as a potential candidate for use in paper/fiber manufacturing.
... and somehow connected to the Auburn University studies (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2426) you mentioned in this thread?

I'm curious ... do the large culms in your area have a markedly swollen portion just above their nodes, as shown in this pic?

Phyllostachys rubromarginata - Porter TX USA
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/512/thumbs/PrubroPtrTX060228-1542.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3335)

My eyes bulged in a similar fashion when I first saw this. ;)
This is a great multi-purpose bamboo!

Mark

[Bamabamboo]

I'll try to get some PICS of all the red margin.........as for the swollen areas above the nodes, I haven't seen anything like that before. Wonder what causes that?

[Mark Meckes]

Phyllostachys rubromarginata doesn't always have this pronounced internodal bulge, especially not with smaller, less than 1" (2-3cm) diameter culms.
Also as culms become larger in diameter, node prominence becomes less and less, which makes this internode bulge, if it occurs, to stand out.
I think local and regional climate and amount of rainfall/ moisture uptake during shoot emergence might also affect this bulging tendency.

Huff n Puff Bamboo ...
This reminds me, in a way, of what happens when blowing up a balloon, except in this case the upper portion of the rising shoot, which is still restricted (smaller) in diameter, is the 'blowing end' of the 'balloon' and, if looking down the shoot from above, the portion of internode furthest away is the first to expand, creating a bulge in the lower part of the internode.

P. rubromarginata is also known to grow some pretty long internodes, for a Phyllostachys species.
I've measured some internodes at around 2ft (60cm) long ... another reason why some musical instrument makers like using this species for tubular instruments:

A plosive percussion instrument - Made by Stan Skov (1996) from Phyllosatchys rubromarginata - Grown in Alabama :)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/346Mvc-077f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=563&cat=500&ppuser=346)

I know of only a few bamboo species (cultivars) that exhibit this characteristic of bulging at one internode end ...

Bambusa tuldoides 'Ventricosa' - a seemingly very unstable cultivar that easily reverts to it's giant non bulbous form:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/705/thumbs/BtVentBMPATX061105-4033.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3694)

Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' - which can have either squat or bulbous internodes
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/678/thumbs/BvulWaminBMPATX061104-3997.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3737) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/678/thumbs/BvulWaminBMPATX061104-3990.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3735)

Pseudosasa japonica 'Tsutsumiana' - Green Onion Bamboo
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/595/thumbs/PsjTsutsumianaC4BGA050216-638.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=1533)

Mark

[Bamabamboo]

... I'm curious ... do the large culms in your area have a markedly swollen portion just above their nodes, as shown in this pic?

Phyllostachys rubromarginata - Porter TX USA
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/512/thumbs/PrubroPtrTX060228-1542.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3335)

My eyes bulged in a similar fashion when I first saw this. ;)
This is a great multi-purpose bamboo!

Mark



Mark.....Now that I look at my red margin a little more I see the swollen area above the NODE that you talked about.

here are some PICS....

http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/512/thumbs/Prubro1.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4775&cat=512&ppuser=2270) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/512/thumbs/Prubro2.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4774&cat=512&ppuser=2270)

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Cyrus,
(The discussion about visiting the Camden bamboo collection was moved to this thread (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2753)

Glad to see that the bulging rubro wasn't just an isolated figment of my imagination from wanderings into deep inner spaces in bamboo groves! :)

A couple questions ...

- What's the biggest size in diameter that you've seen Phyllostachys rubromarginata in your area?

- New shoots/young culms of rubro can have a fuzzy coating.
I've found it especially difficult to take a picture of this, also because my own rubro is still young - up to 1" (2+cm) in diameter.

Here's the best pic I've managed to take with the light shining on the fuzz ...
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/512/thumbs/PrubroAuTX060517-3014.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3427)

I'm wondering how long this stays on.
Can you see, or you may need to 'feel' if this is present on larger diameter culms that came up this year?

Is there any evidence of this remaining on older culms within the shade of the grove, or has it completely worn off, giving the culms a smooth surface?
I'm presuming that sun exposed culms will lose this fuzz sooner.

Mark