Can I save my flowering bamboo?

[tienle]

I have a specimen in a good sized planter on my northern exposed balcony in Seattle that just started blooming. Is it doomed? Can I save it?

It's a non-clumping Himalayian weeping blue:
Thamnocalamus spathiflorus 'Nyalam'
was: Thamnocalamus spathiflorus subsp. nepalensis

[R e x]

Hmm! I've read somewhere that there are methods you can try to save flowering bamboo. I'm sorry, I don't quite remember the methods themselves, but just to provide you with a little comfort and hope - No, I don't think it's 100% completely doomed.

[bambookid524]

It is not 100% doomed but sadly, pretty close to it. It is very hard to save a flowering bamboo. Collect the seeds as they fall.

[soccerdude]

There are methods to saving a flowering bamboo. I don't know them very well. I know you can't save all the bamboo, but you can save a little section though. Here is a link http://www.americanbamboo.org/GeneralInfoPages/WhenBambooFlowers.html. The link tells you how you could possibly save your bamboo. If I was you I would save half of the bamboo and let the other half flower so you can collect the seeds. Possibly sell the seeds.

[tienle]

I'll do my best to collect the seeds. There's no ground for them to fall. I don't really have the ability to divide the plant. Maybe the whole thing won't bloom.

[soccerdude]

Why don't you just try a little section of 2 to 3 canes?

You should also take pictures of the flowers. I think it would be neat to see.

[bambookid524]

Yeah. Just do whatever you can to collect them. Then yu can try growing from seed. If you do collect some, do you think you could possibly send me some. I enjoy growing bamboo from seed. If you can send some,
PM me and I will send you my address. Or email me.

thanks,

-Steve

[Firemandril]

An idea to collect the seeds, get a large piece of paper, butcher's or packing paper and make some what of a funnel and place it around the boo a little below the flowers (or where ever convenient) and tape it in place. Minus massive wind you should be able to collect the seeds in the bottom of the funnel or your pot. I have been looking for an example picture (the funny dog funnel you sometimes see around a dogs neck to prevent them from scratching {its called an E-collar, or Elizebethian collar}is the principle idea though) WOOOT found one, hey you could just get one of these way easier (not to pricey but depends if the largest would fit around your culms)

http://:www.critterpetsupplies.com/ShoppingCart/Templates/BedProd.asp?RID=136&P=2010&G=C0E4D1E7-4497-4A1C-9585-FAD17668F9C6 (http://www.critterpetsupplies.com/ShoppingCart/Templates/BedProd.asp?RID=136&P=2010&G=C0E4D1E7-4497-4A1C-9585-FAD17668F9C6)
Search link for E-collars

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GFRD_enUS276US277&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=E-collar+for+dogs&spell=1

[Dean W.]

tienle,

Sometimes bamboo will flower if stressed, just a thought. Post a picture if you can. I'd be intrested in seeing it as this is one I'm unable to grow in my climate supposedly.

Dean

[R e x]

Oh no! Tienle, you might want to move that planter inside or at least somewhere where it wont be exposed to the crazy weather we're having. Yesterdays winds were enough to blow your bamboo seeds into your neighbors' lawns :rolleyes:~

[richa]

When Thamnocalamus spathiflorus come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality.
--------------------
Richa

[bambookid524]

Has it set seed yet?