B. vulgaris 'Wamin' discussion

[bepah]

I have 2 small Wamins that have been in the ground over 2 years. They were planted on a slope going up to the north, one about ten feet up the hill and 3 feet higher in elevation or so. They both have a fence directly to the west of them and are protected from the wind, except for the parts above the fence

They are both on drip/spray heads and get the same amount of water

The lower one seems to be doing quite well while the higher one looks to be struggling heavily. I took action today and dug out the weaker plant. It had very few roots and came up very easily. There are signs of new growth along last year's new culm, which is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, heavily 'buddha'ed'. I planted it in a large (35 gallon) can and will be giving it a lot more water than it was getting.

Can anyone think of why there is such a difference between 2 plants that were planted at the same time from the same source with nearly the exact conditions? I am hoping the weaker one survives, but the difference is striking.

Thanks!

[mike best]

Vulgaris Wamin is sensitive to any cold weather. What did your lower temps get down to?

Could there be enough temp change from the elevation to cause the drastic difference. The reason I ask is because mine really do bad as soon as the weather hits 30.

For that matter I have a very hard time getting Bambusa vulgaris, and the whole family of Valgaris to grow good and look good year around here in central Florida.

Would love to know the secret, but seem any time winter comes around the Vulgaris just bow out.

Come to think about it, it seems temperature dictates how well a bamboo does or at least that is what I am seeing with Moso and Vulgaris. Can we think of any of reason besides water? PH is seldom an issue at bamboo web and I dont know anyone who does PH soil test. That just leaves the temperature.

[bepah]

In December, we had a few lows at 27. I would assume that both would have been affected. The real problem, I think, was the large number of days where we went into the high 20's and stayed cool.

However, the plant in question was always weaker that its brother. I have no visible change at the end of the day today on the transplant and am hoping the growth continues, but it was very unhappy there.

I have an oldhamii that is also looking sad but is leafing out right now.

Let me post some photos that may tell a better story than my narrative.

Thanks, Mike.

JC

[needmore]

... It had very few roots and came up very easily.

Here I would suspect vole damage, there perhaps the same or gophers?

[bepah]

No indication. We have ground squirrels here, but the dogs seem to handle them.

It is possible. I am gpoing to put a Brahea edulis in its place. When I dig out the hole, I might make a discovery, which will be addressed if it happens. It makes sense, although there was no disturbance of the ground except me in the area.

[Wills]

Not to be too philosophical but some living things have a stronger will to live than others. I planted a hedge with 30 or so multiplex bamboos of a few different types. They all looked good at planting time, all the pots were well filled with roots. They all have identical growing conditions and are on a irrigation system. In the 30 went and 29 of the 30 did great and are flourishing....one though just slowly went down hill until one day I decided it was dead (wasn't one of yours Roy) grabbed it and decided it was it's day to be replaced. When I pulled it up it had not extended a single root in the months it was in the ground. Why? Who knows but just like with all living things some thrive and some do not. Sometimes we can pinpoint a cause but sometimes there is no reason other than feces happen.

[bepah]

Wills,

I understand your point. none of the original culms are still alive. Last year in September, it shot the single major culm, which appears to still be alive, as there are lew leaves coming out.

After this discussion, which I hope goes on, I think it may be a cultural problem, affected by the cold this winter. I hope I am right. If I am and it recovers, I should have some trade bait next year. I am giving it the best possible conditions for growth, in a mix of sand and compost, with plenty of water. Photos will come wit the next post.

I am big in 'what will be, will be' gthinking, but that doesnot preclude my drive to make this thing live if possible.

A good example of this thinking is the use of hibicus in my area. Most people plant them annually, as they struggle (and many die) in the winters around her. But not me. The joy of seeing the new leaves come out in the spring is one of conquering the elements.

[bepah]

Here are the 2 B. v. 'Wamin' specimes I have....the difference is a little noticeable:


[/img]

[mike best]

That is Bambusa ventricosa with bellys, not B. vulgaris 'Wamin'. Vent. is more cold hardy which explains why it still has leaves and survived "

...the large number of days where we went into the high 20's and stayed cool.

If you had Wamin both of your plants would have no leaves (or at least all dead leaves) in such weather and some dead culms as well. Like I said anything under 30 (actually 32) and they freak out. Takes them all summer to recover too.

Both your Vents. should do just fine in such weather. I think the vent that looks bad probably had not established good roots and for some reason just did not like something, it will grow better if you replant it.

[bepah]

Mike,

I can guarantee you that it is not ventricosa. I have one of those as well and it is out of control (to an extent).

The photos you saw are of 2 plants that are not stressed at all and the belly showed up. The tallest culm of a 2 year plant is 7 feet.

My ventricosa is showing zig zag culms, except 2 undersized ones that sprouted in November. The plant is 10 feet tall after 1 year and didn't lose a leaf.

I compared my culms to photos I took in Hawaii and they look the same, except smaller, of course.

If I am wrong, I should have 30 foot culms from the healthy'wamin' this year, but not until September....we shall see.

BTW, the ugly plant is leafing out.

I love controversy. Let's see if anyone else has an opinion!

[dudley]

looks like wamin to me!
did handle cold better than mine!

[ghmerrill]

Mike,

I can guarantee you that it is not ventricosa. I have one of those as well and it is out of control (to an extent).

The photos you saw are of 2 plants that are not stressed at all and the belly showed up. The tallest culm of a 2 year plant is 7 feet.

My ventricosa is showing zig zag culms, except 2 undersized ones that sprouted in November. The plant is 10 feet tall after 1 year and didn't lose a leaf.

I compared my culms to photos I took in Hawaii and they look the same, except smaller, of course.

If I am wrong, I should have 30 foot culms from the healthy'wamin' this year, but not until September....we shall see.

BTW, the ugly plant is leafing out.

I love controversy. Let's see if anyone else has an opinion!

Its either George Bushes, or Bill Clintons fault....

okay, off the wall, sorry, but say either of those, and you will get all the controversy you need

[bepah]

Mike,

I can guarantee you that it is not ventricosa. I have one of those as well and it is out of control (to an extent).

The photos you saw are of 2 plants that are not stressed at all and the belly showed up. The tallest culm of a 2 year plant is 7 feet.

My ventricosa is showing zig zag culms, except 2 undersized ones that sprouted in November. The plant is 10 feet tall after 1 year and didn't lose a leaf.

I compared my culms to photos I took in Hawaii and they look the same, except smaller, of course.

If I am wrong, I should have 30 foot culms from the healthy'wamin' this year, but not until September....we shall see.

BTW, the ugly plant is leafing out.

I love controversy. Let's see if anyone else has an opinion!

Its either George Bushes, or Bill Clintons fault....

okay, off the wall, sorry, but say either of those, and you will get all the controversy you need

[Roy]

Mike,

I can guarantee you that it is not ventricosa. I have one of those as well and it is out of control (to an extent).

The photos you saw are of 2 plants that are not stressed at all and the belly showed up. The tallest culm of a 2 year plant is 7 feet.

My ventricosa is showing zig zag culms, except 2 undersized ones that sprouted in November. The plant is 10 feet tall after 1 year and didn't lose a leaf.

I compared my culms to photos I took in Hawaii and they look the same, except smaller, of course.

If I am wrong, I should have 30 foot culms from the healthy'wamin' this year, but not until September....we shall see.

BTW, the ugly plant is leafing out.

I love controversy. Let's see if anyone else has an opinion!

Its either George Bushes, or Bill Clintons fault....

okay, off the wall, sorry, but say either of those, and you will get all the controversy you need

B. ventricosa or B. v 'Wamin'? OR George Bush or Bill Clinton?

Even though the plants may have been looking like they were in the same healthy condition, and may looked to have the exact same ground conditions, that may not have been the case. If one was not in as vigorous health as the other, then one would suffer more freeze damage than the other.

A friend of mine grew "Wamin" in the county just north of me for about 7 or 8 years. He finally dug them out and give them to me. The plants looked really nice, but they have been "top killed" by freezes in the upper 20's, but the lower 90 percent of the culm(s) looked really nice. I think perhaps that having a dense covering of leaves may have protected the lower portion to a large degree. I have the pictures of these plants uploaded to the gallery at Bambooweb, but the Bambooweb gallery is acting up this morning and all I get is an error when I try to go to the gallery.

[bepah]

Mike,

I can guarantee you that it is not ventricosa. I have one of those as well and it is out of control (to an extent).

The photos you saw are of 2 plants that are not stressed at all and the belly showed up. The tallest culm of a 2 year plant is 7 feet.

My ventricosa is showing zig zag culms, except 2 undersized ones that sprouted in November. The plant is 10 feet tall after 1 year and didn't lose a leaf.

I compared my culms to photos I took in Hawaii and they look the same, except smaller, of course.

If I am wrong, I should have 30 foot culms from the healthy'wamin' this year, but not until September....we shall see.

BTW, the ugly plant is leafing out.

I love controversy. Let's see if anyone else has an opinion!

Its either George Bushes, or Bill Clintons fault....

okay, off the wall, sorry, but say either of those, and you will get all the controversy you need

B. ventricosa or B. v 'Wamin'? OR George Bush or Bill Clinton?

Even though the plants may have been looking like they were in the same healthy condition, and may looked to have the exact same ground conditions, that may not have been the case. If one was not in as vigorous health as the other, then one would suffer more freeze damage than the other.

A friend of mine grew "Wamin" in the county just north of me for about 7 or 8 years. He finally dug them out and give them to me. The plants looked really nice, but they have been "top killed" by freezes in the upper 20's, but the lower 90 percent of the culm(s) looked really nice. I think perhaps that having a dense covering of leaves may have protected the lower portion to a large degree. I have the pictures of these plants uploaded to the gallery at Bambooweb, but the Bambooweb gallery is acting up this morning and all I get is an error when I try to go to the gallery.

Roy,

The upper plant always lagged the lower one, but this year really showed a difference. Since I pit it in the pot, it went into total transplant shock, but I think it will pull through.

Who knows why one plant was stronger than the other. It doesn't matter in the long run, but the position on the hill has been filled with a Livistona australis, which to this point seems to be thriving. Maybe in 20 years, it will be as tall as the bamboo was.