Underbrush's Bamboo

[Underbrush]

I've been interested in bamboo for a long while, mainly stemming from my love of Asian architecture and culture. However my interest in growing was realized a few years ago when I went to my high school buddy's house for the first time, and saw his little grove of bamboo. I didn't realize that it could be grown in this area, and honestly hadn't really thought of growing it myself. So a couple of years after in a somewhat unrelated matter, I made a garden and found myself falling in love with growing things. Last year I finally decided to plant bamboo.

I just started my bamboo last spring from a start I purchased from a company who's name immediately escapes me (Burt Associates Bamboo). It is called Red Margin Bamboo (phyllostachys rubromarginata) I planted it in a spot of very sandy soil near the creek that runs by my house. It shot up like crazy during that spring and summer, and now seems to be doing decently enough, I hope that this winter's unusual harshness hasn't effected it too bad.

I live in Southwestern Virginia and during recent research discovered my zone is 6B which is not the same conclusion I came across when researching this last year. Last year I somehow got into my head I was in zone 5 and was told that this particular bamboo would grow 55' tall, now it seems it will only grow 30' tall, which is pretty tall I guess. (but it's not 55' ;) )

I've included a picture I took on March 10 2009, it seems a little sickly I don't know enough about it to be sure though.

[bambookid524]

There isn't really anything wrong with it. No need to be worried. It looks like it just had a bit of a rough time over the winter. A few of my smaller plants get like that after winter.

Should kick back up and put out some new leaves to replace the old dead ones some time this spring. (Mine usually do right before they shoot).

[Underbrush]

Thanks bambookid, I was kind of getting worried about it.

[bambookid524]

Yeah. I'm like that with my plants too :)

Just keep an eye on them, and if they seem to get worse then there may be something wrong. But if not, they should begin healing soon :)

[stevelau1911]

Looks like only about 50% leaf loss which is natural for most bamboos which won't affect its new shoot production much. I would estimate 5-7 new shoots for this spring anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3 inch in diameter creating a small 3foot high bush by the summer time, but it should really take off in 2010.