Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young'

[ShmuBamboo]

Now, this is a boo with several names. Sulphura, Bob Young... anyway, all the folks that have it out here in the west say that it grows really really slow here in the west. They usually swear at it when they tell me about the slow growth too. I am wondering if it just grows slow here in the west, or if it grows slow all over?

The culms look really cool when they are fully mature. The variation between culms is also cool in some clumps that I have seen. Half green and half yellow on one culm, green and yellow fat striped on the next one over, and yellow with green pinstripes on the next culm. Now those are seen on extremely mature culms. This type has been on and of of my 'buy' list, and so far I have not found any good specimens for a fair price.

So, is it that slow to grow? Does it revert to regular unleaded Phy. viridis? Should I spend my money on a Phy. violascens instead?

[Mark Meckes]

I'm usually hesitant to tag a boo as "my favorite" but I'll give an exception to ...
Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young' (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=551) (Link to pics at the gallery Bamboo Flora)

Here's some reasons why ...
It's a beauty!
- The first time I walked into a mature grove of this bamboo, it's glowingly cheerful disposition rubbed off on me. :)
It's ever changing culm color, beginning as pale green, changing to lemon yellow and aging with a touch of orange, combined with eratic green stripes on the culms makes this an outstanding plant.
It's foliage leaves are a lustrous green providing a dense canopy atop erect culms with only slightly arching tops.

Culm diameter
A friend has harvested some in Alabama that exceeded 3 1/2 inches (9cm) in diameter.
P. viridis, as of this date has produced the largest diameter culms of any Phyllostachys species here in the usually hot and dry central Texas summers. At one location they have reached around 3" (7 1/2cm) diameter on about their 6th year from planting.
I hope 'Robert Young' will reach nearly equal proportions.
Once it becomes established it seems quite tolerant of the heat and dry spells.

Quality of culms at harvest
Of all yellow tinted temperate bamboos, 'Robert Young' provides the best quality, most woody culm material.

Plant vigor
I tried this bamboo years back in sub zeroF zone 5-ish NE Pennsylvania and after several years of complete top winter dieback it lost all rhizome vigor and faded away, as other more vigorous species growing nearby moved in.

Here in Austin Texas I dug/planted three 6 footers around 2002-3.
By their second year from planting they kicked into developing larger, deeper rooted rhizomes, and rather than producing masses of smaller culms. They produced fewer culms, though larger in diameter.
Now in their fourth year I have some culms nearing 1 1/2" and another nearing 2" diameter.

It's rhizome system has become very robust and some good size leaders have appeared 15+ft away from the planting.

I should mention that near the vicinity of these plantings are other bamboos and a 20+ft high Crepe Myrtle vying for the same space.
I selectively thin out culms of other bamboos growing into the 'Robert Young'.
Despite or because of the competition by other bamboo species rhizomes growing below ground, our 'Robert Young' has vigorously extended it's rhizomes to other areas of the garden.
I'm certain that by next year I will have a bona-fide grove of this species.
Alas, the main, most prolific direction that the rhizomes have been spreading has been mostly in the "opposite direction" that I had intended, where there are too many other plants that I don't want to remove.
This spring I regrettably harvested some nice sized and albiet Bobbielicious shoots from this area for the dinner table.
I'll use this strategy of using wayward emerging shoot growth as a food supplement and digging up and planting resulting tillering sprouts in another location on the property in the autumn.

So in my case I'm seeing extremely rambunctious but focused rhizome growth with this species.

Of note, in the book ... The Gardener's Guide to Growing Temperate Bamboo
... author Michael Bell in the UK, writes, regarding their climate conditions ...

In some situations this species is reluctant to become established, or it produces large culms from a slow growing rhizome system.
If this situation develops it needs staking to enable it to prosper, and higher temperatures to the roots.
With patience it will get going but may take some time and it is definitely a plant for a very sunny location in most cooler climates.

Mark
PS ... I have not seen any reversions in my plantings as of this date.

[ShmuBamboo]

Wow, I guess that is about as positive as it gets. I really like it in large groves I have seen, its just that out here in the west people poo-poo it a lot. The good specimens I have seen are really amazing. I have gobs of sunny locations at home. Too much sun, if anything.

[Mark Meckes]

Yep, if Bobbie Young was a girl, my wife would be striped green with envy. ;)
... but she is also enamoured by it's beauty, thank goodness.

When the harvested culms are dried they also carry forth the rich tone of golden sunset color which looks very attractive in craft applications.

I also like the way it's rhizomes have the occasional green stripes as well.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/551/thumbs/PvRYAuTX050816-020.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2204)

[Snowbird]

when i looked into this bamboo, before purchasing, i was told that it was a vigorous runner except in areas with cool summers. i took a shine to the culm coloration and foliage, so i'm trying it in my 6b zone this winter. we'll see how it works out. right now, the 1 gal planting has two 1/2" culms that had to be cut for shipping and multiple buds in the rhizomes. i am hoping that if the cutting of culms triggers new growth it will have time to harden off before winter.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Seth,
If you are able to take another pic of this bamboo sometime in a little more focus, please do.
I too have to take lots of pics to get a few good ones.

Is the green portion just in the groove on the internode or is it on the round part of the boo?
I just want to affirm that what you have is Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young'.

Mark

[ShmuBamboo]

Yah, it looks like the camera auto-focused on the concrete wall and not the bamboo. :o

[Snowbird]

i'll have to look tomorrow and take a better pic. the boo was purchased from jed as well so hopefully it is.

you gotta admit that wall sure is focused.;) i hope to lose all sight of it in the future.

[Snowbird]

here's a better pic.

[Mark Meckes]

Ah yes, that does look like a 'Young Robert'. :)
Two indications are ...
- the pale creamish sheaths that might have only a slightest hint of spots, typical for Young 'uns.
- The end of the green stripes are often uneven, as if it was painted on with a brush.

All the best with your 'Bobbie Boo' and may it's rhizomes flourish this year in preparation for next year's shoots.

Mark