Need bamboo education!

[lanetrip]

Hi, everyone -
I live 50 miles north of NYC (I don't know the zone). I'm on 2 acres of tall trees, lots of rock ledge around my house. Most of my property has shade most of the day. I think bamboo is attractive, I want dense coverage and "blockage" of view to neighbors' properties (a fence, if you will), and the low-maintenance aspect appeals to me. Six-footers would be nice.
What do I look to buy? How/when do I plant? Water/sun needs? What cost (per bamboo plant) can I expect? Any SPECIFIC sources for purchase to recommend?
Obviously I'm a complete newbie to growing bamboo. I hope you can help. Thanks! - Lanetrip

[CaroleMeckes]

Hi lanetrip,
50 miles north of NYC would put you in Zone 6 (lowest temps -10 -0F)

Some of the Phyllostachys genus that would be tolerant of those low temperatures are: P atrovaginata (Incense bamboo), P aureosulcata, P bisetti, P glauca, P heteroclada, P makinoi, P mannii 'Decora', some of the P nigras, P nuda, P rubromarginata, P viridiglaucescens, P biridia, P vivax. These are all running bamboo and I found this info on the American Bamboo Society Source List http://www.americanbamboo.org/SpeciesSourceList.html

There is also the Fargesia genus which is a clumping but cold hardy genus.

re time to plant - this is a good time of year for you to plant in your area
All of these plants grow taller than 6 feet but can be pruned if that is all the height that you really want.

The Phyllostachys like full sun and the Fargesias like shade.

re prices - generally we don't post prices here at the Bamboo Forums

For sources - check the ABS source list - here is a handy link to help find suppliers: http://www.bambooweb.info/Sources.php
Carole

[R e x]

Hi lanetrip. Just in case my message didn't go through, I'll post it here:

Hey lanetrip! Good afternoon (although it's probably way past the afternoon for you over there)!

I just started into gardening last summer, so I'm not extremely knowledgeable about bamboo, but I'll try my best to help.

Westchester is definitely somewhere between zones 5 and 6. Since I can't pinpoint exactly where Mt. Kisco is within that county, I can't give you a better estimate about your zone unless if you provide me with your zip code. Zones are important because it determines which species you can grow.

I have to collect more bits of info from you before I can help:

-Would you happen to know your soil type?

-You mentioned that you only wanted 6-feet tall
culms (aka canes or poles). This is quite short for bamboo - does this mean you don't want culms with large diameters? Shorter bamboo almost always have culms that are less than 3/4" wide.

-Bamboo was the correct choice if a fence is what you're looking to grow, but I think the notion of bamboo being low-maintenance is a common misconception. Sure, bamboo is easy to grow and many types will survive neglect - but the problem is that your bamboo might send rhizomes underground over into your neighbor's property and begin growing in their lawn! This is a fast way to lose friends. There are various ways to contain bamboo, but some will require proper maintenance. Could you give me a more detailed description about the area you're planning to plant the bamboo? Now...if you're not worried about the bamboo spreading and growing wild (like a person who is trying to grow a bamboo grove/forest ... (like me) ... ), then just let me know.

-How to plant/water & sun needs/cost all depend incredibly on species type. Some bamboo need full sun while some need shade. Some types require much more water others. Some species will cost you a measly $5/plant, while some have price tags of $5000+.

If you reply to these questions, I think I'll have all I need to make a few species suggestions.

Thanks for the message.
Hope to hear from you soon.

[R e x]

Wow...you are so kind to reply with so much info - all of it helpful! I can now do better homework re my Zone 6 bamboo future thanks to your good input. And, I appreciate the info that bamboo is not low maintenance, as has been my erroneous assumption.
I am on 2 acres of wooded property, mostly dirt/somewhat sandy soil. A huge amount of rock ledge on the property. Maples and oaks that stand from 20ft. to 50 ft. are all around (I rake a lot of leaves). Sunlight dapples in on the whole property, with some 10ftx10ft open patches of sunlight here and there throughout the day. Can I plant in single lines (that "fence") and not have too much runaway growth?
This is the 1st time I've EVER joined a posting group (or whatever it's called). If you are so kind as to reply again, feel free to do so just on the forum page, so it's easier for you. Thanks again!


Finally, finally, finally done with my classes for the year! What a relief!!!
Now I have the time to reply to your thread ~ sorry for the wait!
After searching through a list of cold hardy bamboo, I found that most of them are much higher than 6'. Here are some species that I came up with and links to more info and pictures:

Phyllostachys aureosulcata: [max height = 45', max culm diameter = 2.2", minimum temperature = -10F]
Green culms with yellow grooves!
http://www.bamboogarden.com/Phyllostachys%20aureosulcata.html

Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis': [max height = 26', max culm diameter = 1.5", minimum temperature = -10F]
Yellow culms with green grooves! One of my personal favorites.
http://www.shweeashbamboo.com/Phyllostachys%20aureosulcata%20%27Spectabilils%27.htm

Phyllostachys nuda: [max height = 34', max culm diameter = 1.8", minimum temperature = -20F]
They say this is the most cold hardy of the Phyllostachys genus.
http://www.bamboogarden.com/Phyllostachys%20nuda.htm

Phyllostachys atrovaginata: [max height = 35', max culm diameter = 2.8", minimum temperature = -15F]
Incense bamboo! I think it's nicknamed that because it smells like grass :confused:.
http://www.bamboovalley.com/html/3%20Phyllostachys%20atrovaginata.htm

Phyllostachys nigra: [max height = 30', max culm diameter = 2", minimum temperature = 0F]
This is black bamboo. It's recommended for zone 7 and above, but I thought I'd just include it anyway since Carole mentioned that there are a few types that will work for your zone.
http://www.shweeashbamboo.com/Phyllostachys%20nigra.htm

Phyllostachys dulcis: [max height = 40', max culm diameter = 3.2", minimum temperature = -5F]
"Sweetshoot" bamboo's shoots are yummy. This one has big culms for its height!
http://www.bamboogarden.com/Phyllostachys%20dulcis.htm

All the bamboo listed above love lots of sun and grow quite tall, which is not exactly what you were looking for, but they're popular species and will grow in your zone.

The Fargesia genus is the closest I came to finding bamboo that fits all your criteria. Fargesia sp. 'Rufa' is hardy to -15F, has a maximum height of about 10 feet, and has a sun requirement of 2/5. In addition, it's a clumping type of bamboo (as opposed to a running type) so you wont have to worry about it spreading beyond where you want it. It grows rapidly and is newbie-friendly. This bamboo fits the bill, but one possible drawback is that it doesn't really look...bamboo-ey. What I mean is that since it only grows to 10' tall, it's culms are quite thin. The big and exotic looking bamboo groves you see in the movies all grow taller than your height requirement :(.
Anyways, the following is a link for Fargesia pics/info. Take a look! You might like it!
http://www.bamboogarden.com/Hardy%20clumping.htm

There's a guy here on these forums that also lives in NY. He may be able to provide you with some more information about growing bamboo in your climate. His user name is stevelau1911. Here's a link to his personal profile:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=3894

I really hope this helps!