Winter of 2010-11 Fried Bamboo List " Hold the cheese pls"

[David]

Gene,
This was the first time in three years that the parvifolia burned here, so perhaps it will get more hardy as it matures as Brad mentioned. I don't see why it could not reach large diameter in 6b/7a. Bambusoides is sizing up here and it burns to some degree every winter, and parvi seems to be more cold tolerant so it should continue to size up.

[bamboozal]

My parvifolia is seeing its 4th winter here and I have to say that it's holding its own with the best of them, i.e. bissetii and spectabilis.
In fact, I'm beginning to prefer it over the rest because it doesn't weep as much as the rest do under snow loading as is happening right now as I look out the window. Anyway, happy Christmas everyone.

[stevelau1911]

My parvifolia hasn't even taken sub-zero since I've had it for a year and a half, but despite moderate leaf burn last year, it bounced back pretty strong going from 3 original culms that were each a bit over 3ft to nearly 20 culms that came up this year ranging from 4-8ft. The rhizomes generated this year also tripled in # and this years rhizomes appeared much fatter so I believe parvifolia shouldn't have many problems in zone 6. If the growth rate continues, most of the culms generated next year should be at the 1 inch range and breaking the 10ft mark given the same winter conditions as last year.

It doesn't look like 6-7F which caused some noticeable burn on moso seedlings, dulcis, and a few others had any effect on parvifolia so far, but it also didn't show much damage until it warmed up in March last year, then about half the leaves turned yellow and fell off prior to shooting season. The old culms did however leaf back out all the way to the tips as opposed to other species that appeared to have some of their leaf buds killed off.

[Paul Ont]

The boo's seem to be holding their own so far. I had to trap down some escapee shoots this past weekend (I lay the culms on the ground to get covered by snow... Which, FYI, is sorely lacking so far this year.) Low to date is ~-16C or 3f. However, there have been some wicked winds, and these, combined with little snow (deeper freeze) have led to some dessication of boo leaves.

In my bamboo 'test' bed (south facing wall, good microclimate) all the boo's look 100% fine. This includes P. aureosulcata, P. aureosulcata 'spectibilis', P. vivax 'huangwhenzhu' (or whatever), P. rubromarginata, and F. nitida. A few leaves on the big aureosulcata that are in the wind do have some tip burn.

Plants that are not in this bed, i.e. worse microclimes, have more damage. One notable exception is P. aureosulcata 'alata' which is probably the best runner that I grow.

In terms of performance (so far) the following have some damage:
P. aureosulcata 'spectibilis' (exposed locations ~10% leaf burn)
P. nuda ~10-20% leaf burn
P. atrovaginata 30-40% leaf burn
P. angusta 50+% leaf burn
P. bissetti ~30% leaf burn. Poor performer.
F. 'rufa' ~50% leaf burn. Also attacked by a rabbit.

P.a. 'alata'

P.a 'spectibilis' - exposed location.

Ground covers- One is 100% toasted. Others range from 20-80% leaf burn.

[Alan_L]

Paul -- Why did you go to the trouble of bending the culms down but then didn't tarp over them? Oh, you were expecting snow cover. Nevermind.

[Paul Ont]

haha! Yes, we generally have reliable snow cover from December to March... It's getting less dependable with each passing year... I may have to start looking at some insulation for the boo's if the snow continues to diminish in coming years.