Rhizome size

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Van-isle-bamboo
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Rhizome size

Post by Van-isle-bamboo »

Hey everyone I thought It might be Interesting to hear about some of the thickest rhizomes that people have seen or heard of before. I have always wondered how big my vivax rhizomes are going to get in my zone 8 in the PNW. I have seen some that were a little over an inch on a grove of vivax where the culms were about three inches thick and really it was only one that was just popping out of the soil.

I know there's lots of knowledge and wisdom on this board, maybe the the odd pic too?

Have a nice day everyone

Kailey
Rufledt
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Rufledt »

I've seen rhizomes over 1" on parvifolia. I Know I took a picture of it but I can't seem to find it anywhere. The thickest rhizomes were wider than they were thick, kindof oval in cross section. They may have been approaching 2" wide or so, but the canes from the plant were smaller than 3" around.

I'll try to find where the picture went, it was very impressive.
Van-isle-bamboo
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Van-isle-bamboo »

Pics would be awesome!

Makes me sure wonder how big they can get under the ground soaking up all the nutrients soil has to offer.
Rufledt
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Rufledt »

Image

Here's a picture I found. It's not very good because most of the rhizomes are hidden by the plastic, but for reference the boards on that raised box are 1 1/2". There is only one whip shoot coming out of the lump but the grove was much taller. I don't know exactly the size of the canes on the main plant at the time, steve might be able to chime in here.
johnw
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by johnw »

Are you positive, the boards look like 1 x 3s? If they're 1.5" then the leaves on that bamboo would be tiny.
johnw coastal Nova Scotia
Rufledt
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Rufledt »

Those are 2x6's. The leaves were pretty tiny, its a shaded parvifolia whip shoot. The newer leaves are a bit bigger, though.
Van-isle-bamboo
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Van-isle-bamboo »

They do seem like rather large rhizomes.

Still I'm sure there are some bigger ones lurking around.... I wonder if they can get 2+ inches?
stevelau1911
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by stevelau1911 »

I've seen mine get a bit larger than 1 inch in diameter while some shoots have approached 1.3 inches last year.

It downsized a bit after the brutal winter of 2013/14, but next year should produce larger shoots than ever before. I believe rhizomes are still nowhere close to their potential size on a mature grove with 3-4 inch diameter culms.
Van-isle-bamboo
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Van-isle-bamboo »

stevelau1911 wrote:I've seen mine get a bit larger than 1 inch in diameter while some shoots have approached 1.3 inches last year.

It downsized a bit after the brutal winter of 2013/14, but next year should produce larger shoots than ever before. I believe rhizomes are still nowhere close to their potential size on a mature grove with 3-4 inch diameter culms.


How big do you think rhizomes could actually get then Steve? If supplied with all the right nutrients and water are they capable of maybe matching the above ground culm thickness?

I'm sure there are some answers out there amongst all us bamboo enthusiasts
stevelau1911
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by stevelau1911 »

I don't think parvifolia rhizomes can get huge, maybe 1.5 inches at max for the highway ones that travel far.

I know some species like vivax, dulcis, shanghai III, and other fat shoot types could produce them over the 2 inch mark. If moso can get to 8 inches in diameter, I would imagine that it could also produce rhizomes exceeding the 2 inch mark.

Why do you need big rhizomes?
Van-isle-bamboo
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Van-isle-bamboo »

Hey Steve it's not that I particularly want big rhizomes I was just more curious if anything.
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JWH
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by JWH »

This is the thickest rhizome I've ever come across online. From a mature bambusoides grove in japan.
http://www.bamboovalley.com/images/3%20 ... 20huge.JPG

Can't say I've ever noticed a rhizome here much over 1" in diameter.
Van-isle-bamboo
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Re: Rhizome size

Post by Van-isle-bamboo »

Now that's what I'm talking about! :shock: :shock: 8) thanks for posting that. All those bamboo haters out there might have a aneurism looking at that pic :lol:
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