Mark Meckes
31st May 2001, 08:32 AM
The hardiest of the Phyllostachys (P.aureosulcata, P.a.alata, P.a.spectabalis, P.bissetii and P.nuda,etc) are also the earliest of the Phyllostachys to shoot in the spring.
It has therefore been a very pleasant surprise to discover that Phyllostachys angusta, (Stone Bamboo) USDA PI#23237, which shoots one month later, (early to mid June here in North East Pennsylvania) has survived sub 0 oF winters for 8 years, (one winter the low was -26 oF, though the average minimum is -10oF to -20oF)and though it may look tattered and partially defoliated by spring, it has consistantly releafed.
Phyllostachys angusta - (April 2001) after a harsh winter in the Pocono Mts NE Pa, USA (Zone 5)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/510/thumbs/1Mvc-072f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=556) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/510/thumbs/1Mvc-073f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=557) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/510/thumbs/1Mvc-074f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=558)
Older culms are cut out each year, not because they have been winter killed, but because they have reached their prime age ( 3-5 years ) for craft use!
( often many of my bamboos, depending on the serevity of the winter, never reach their optimum age of 3-5 years).
Other phyllostachys sp. may get many of their culms broken or split every winter from snow and ice, but Phyllostachys angusta culms seldom break, and though they may get bent over from heavy ice and snow, they spring right back up after.
A European Bamboo Nursery lists this bamboo as having a sympodial (clumping) nature. (Phyllostachys spp are classified as being monopodial (running).
I thought, the nursery must be mistaken. Then I watched, over a period of 5 years, and the culms grew close together, and the `clump' grew tightly in an 8ft X 6ft area.
On the 6th year it appeared 4ft away from the clump, and 2 years later is 8 ft away.
It has grown into a hedgerow in the shape of an L , and is now ready to move into new territories.
I think it could probably be defined as a clumping runner, that is, a runner with a tendency to clump.
But it seems that both characteristics can be evident at the same time at different parts of the grove, and that the growth characteristics change during different phases of it's life.
The ABS Source List has this as: Phyllostachys augusta
- 22 feet max ht, 1 1/4 inch diamter
This is the size it is growing here in my garden!
Has anyone found this growing in larger sizes ?
- 0 degree F, full sun
Where it gets some protection from a building, it has stayed partially evergreen, even at -10 oF and below.
Source List says: "Called Stone Bamboo because of the
hard texture of its culms which in China are used to make fine bamboo furniture".
Its' high strength, and density of the wood fibers, as well as the culms being relatively straight, with only slightly prominent nodes, makes this an excellent and durable material for craft.
I've read that sparks can fly off a hardened culm, when struck with a blade...something I haven't tried out.
With smaller (dried) pieces that I had dyed in a warm water dye bath, I found that Stone Bamboo would often 'sink like a stone' in the bath.
This year is the first year that I have harvested sizeable culms. I'm looking forward to working with it.
Mark
It has therefore been a very pleasant surprise to discover that Phyllostachys angusta, (Stone Bamboo) USDA PI#23237, which shoots one month later, (early to mid June here in North East Pennsylvania) has survived sub 0 oF winters for 8 years, (one winter the low was -26 oF, though the average minimum is -10oF to -20oF)and though it may look tattered and partially defoliated by spring, it has consistantly releafed.
Phyllostachys angusta - (April 2001) after a harsh winter in the Pocono Mts NE Pa, USA (Zone 5)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/510/thumbs/1Mvc-072f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=556) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/510/thumbs/1Mvc-073f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=557) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/510/thumbs/1Mvc-074f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=558)
Older culms are cut out each year, not because they have been winter killed, but because they have reached their prime age ( 3-5 years ) for craft use!
( often many of my bamboos, depending on the serevity of the winter, never reach their optimum age of 3-5 years).
Other phyllostachys sp. may get many of their culms broken or split every winter from snow and ice, but Phyllostachys angusta culms seldom break, and though they may get bent over from heavy ice and snow, they spring right back up after.
A European Bamboo Nursery lists this bamboo as having a sympodial (clumping) nature. (Phyllostachys spp are classified as being monopodial (running).
I thought, the nursery must be mistaken. Then I watched, over a period of 5 years, and the culms grew close together, and the `clump' grew tightly in an 8ft X 6ft area.
On the 6th year it appeared 4ft away from the clump, and 2 years later is 8 ft away.
It has grown into a hedgerow in the shape of an L , and is now ready to move into new territories.
I think it could probably be defined as a clumping runner, that is, a runner with a tendency to clump.
But it seems that both characteristics can be evident at the same time at different parts of the grove, and that the growth characteristics change during different phases of it's life.
The ABS Source List has this as: Phyllostachys augusta
- 22 feet max ht, 1 1/4 inch diamter
This is the size it is growing here in my garden!
Has anyone found this growing in larger sizes ?
- 0 degree F, full sun
Where it gets some protection from a building, it has stayed partially evergreen, even at -10 oF and below.
Source List says: "Called Stone Bamboo because of the
hard texture of its culms which in China are used to make fine bamboo furniture".
Its' high strength, and density of the wood fibers, as well as the culms being relatively straight, with only slightly prominent nodes, makes this an excellent and durable material for craft.
I've read that sparks can fly off a hardened culm, when struck with a blade...something I haven't tried out.
With smaller (dried) pieces that I had dyed in a warm water dye bath, I found that Stone Bamboo would often 'sink like a stone' in the bath.
This year is the first year that I have harvested sizeable culms. I'm looking forward to working with it.
Mark