growing pattern

[hdesousa]

My 5 year grove of black bamboo died back to the ground every year for the first three winters. Clums at the periphery are about 20 mm diameter now, but not much growing in the center. Will new growth "double back" into where the original plant grew?

[Shoot Hunter]

I am not very well informed on bamboo growth in colder areas but from what I know of rhizome growth it will spread in ALL directions, which would mean the healthy part of the plant will spread back into the center as well as ourward. Have you tried heavily mulching for winter to protect the roots/rhizomes?

[hdesousa]

Good that the bare center will eventually get regrowth.
I did mulch with 1 to 2 feet of leaves. Did not make any difference. The ground still freezes and the winter sun hitting those leaves dries out and kills the clums, I think. Rhizomes didn't die though. Don't really understand why/when/what freezing conditions kill and what doesn't, but I'm sure it's all been worked out.
Thanks.
Hansel

[stevelau1911]

I think mulching with wood chips will work better. I'm going to mulch my new planted 1 gallon moso plant 2 feet with woodchips to ensure it doesn't get top kill. I think that should work.

[Shoot Hunter]

Hansel,

Yea, perhaps maybe wood chips or something heavier. Black bamboo will handle quite a bit of freeze but perhaps you will just have to deal with the topkill every year as it soulds like you are on the border of its hardiness. You know there are HARDIER bamboos, at least by a little bit you could try.