golden hawaiian not growing

[guitrman]

I planted some golden hawaiian (Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' - Golden Hawaiian Bamboo) like 2 years ago and its doing great. after they were established I planted some more right next to it. It doesnt get same same amount of sunlight as the mature ones do and I think that might have something to do with the fact that it has not grown a stitch since I planted it. It is not dying but its not growing either. There is new growth which looks good, green tips, just nothing else happening. I had covered it with some mulch and then on top of the mulch were a bunch of leaves that fell from the other bamboo. I started to get a fungus growing underneath the leaves on top of the mulch and I pulled all the mulch away from the culms. I am wondering if this is something I need to worry about or if this thing is going to grow at all.

Attached are some photos. You can see how the small golden is overshadowed by the mature ones, and in front of it is another bamboo, a buddha belly which is doing well also. You can also see the fungus I mentioned. Enough rambling, any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks

[soccerdude]

I don't think sunlight is a problem because it is not to crowded by the other bamboo. How long has it been since the bamboo been in the ground? It may take 1 or 2 years (Well maybe not two years) before sending up any shoots. For bamboo to become establish it takes about 3 years. I am pretty sure if the bamboo is not dying it is growing. For the fungus thing I have no clue what to tell you. I don't know a lot about fungus or any bamboo disease.

[guitrman]

All the bamboo that i have planted have taken anywhere from 6 months to a year for them to start growing. Maybe because of the climate where I am (South FLorida), who knows. We planted a whole bunch of bamboo plants from 3 gallon containers and a year after they started shooting up like mad. I attached pics from when they were first planted to now where they are fully grown. I do use a special fertilizer that I get from a bamboo nursery in Palm Beach called tropical Bamboo http://www.tropicalbamboo.com. The stuff is like rocket fuel and about 3 months after I fed them they started growing like mad.

The golden hawaiian has been in the ground for around 8 months at the most. I guess I will just have to watch and wait.....

[soccerdude]

It is nice seeing people taking pictures and keeping records of there bamboo. Your bamboo is looking really nice! If the bamboo is only been in the ground for 8 months and hasn't done anything I wouldn' worry at all about it. Just give the bamboo some time thats all.

[guitrman]

I am addicted to my bamboo :cool:

I am hoping that we dont get slammed by this tropical storm, possibly hurricane by the time it reaches South Florida, if it does indeed come this way. I dont think the new plants will hold up too well in hurricane force winds, they are too new.