Books on Bamboo

[Wal]

I've heard that "Bamboo Rediscovered" by Victor Cusack is a good book to get. Any other suggestions ?

[litibu]

bamboo world
Chinese compendium of bamboo

[Wal]

Let me put it this way, does anyone have a book on bamboo and if so, what is it and what's it like, is it good ?

[needmore]

Victor Cusaks - Bamboo World - seems to be well suited for your area. Ted Merediths Bamboo for Gardens is perhaps the best all 'round one for me, I've never approached it from the tropical clumper perspective but it seems inclusive.

[blokker]

Wal

I have Victor Cusack's "Bamboo Rediscovered" ( a bargain at less than $20 inc. postage from BambooWorld)which I find to be really good, no colour photos but plenty of very usefull information, drawings and a few B & W photos. Being 11 years old the species list available at the time is a little out of date. I would really like to get hold of his "Bamboo World" as it's supposed to be even more comprehensive. I having a bit of trouble locating a copy of this one as it's out of print at this stage but I'm not giving up.

I also have Ted Meredith's "Bamboo for Gardens" which does include the clumpers but I did think the book leans more towards the temperate runners which I'm not really interested in. Still useful but I much prefer "Bamboo Rediscovered".

That's all I have at this stage

[Wal]

Thanks all, it appears to me then, after I have now done some research into available bamboo literature, that the market is missing a good bamboo book on clumpers at least.

I'm a fair photographer and writer, looks like a project worth thinking about. Just need a partner with financial backing.

[litibu]

Bamboo World is a very nice book on clumpers. I highly recommend it. Lots of pics lots of info.

[JohnC]

A local tiny bamboo nursery here has a copy of "Taming the dragon" they refer to and they said they liked it. I don't own it nor have read it but it had some nice pictures I noticed upside down.

[needmore]

Taming the Dragon excludes the tropicals and focuses on temperate species. It has nice photos and some good info but there are many examples of overstated hardiness and some notably 'unique' info here & there but all in all I enjoy having it.

[GrowingHabit]

I've noticed some interesting anomalies in Taming the Dragon, too. I thought it was my lack of experience that had me scratching my head over it now and then. Glad to know I'm not imagining it.

That said, and the temperate-only focus pointed out- its so charmingly written that I pick it up first, always.

[Wal]

Hi, I've borrowed ."Bamboo Rediscovered" from the library to see if it suits and it sure does. Even though a specie or two have been redefined or aren't listed, it is a terrific book with all the info I could want. Highly recommended.