Oldhamii

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needmore
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Location: Kea'au, HI

Oldhamii

Post by needmore »

My Oldhamii looks quite vigorous and happy, last fall's shoots are leafing out and pushing those BIG branches, those shoots were an inch plus. Now it seems to be sending a few small shoots, one about half the size of fall's, today I see 3 new tips poking out and they also look small. Does this sound 'typical' for Oldhamii to push shoots on what are apparently immature buds?
Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
http://www.needmorebamboo.com
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Glen
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Re: Oldhamii

Post by Glen »

I would say it is typical of many tropical bamboos, especially when the plants are young. Generally, the more mature the plants get, the more they concentrate their efforts into a narrower shooting window, but with larger shoots. I do not expect "mature" shoots on my tropical bamboos until June, for the early species. Most anything before that I would consider atypical/juvenile/etc.

Also, sometimes those small early shoots are really shoots that formed underground last year, but ran out of warm weather. They partially stalled, and resumed growth early this year, but the pause in growth and winter stress prevented them from becoming "normal" shoots.

Do you happen to know whether your plant is from tissue culture or conventional propagation?
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needmore
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Re: Oldhamii

Post by needmore »

I think I have one of each, this particular one I believe is not TC. Last year it was the last of all my bamboo to shoot, those were all a nice upsize but they were brutalized during a move to this place with tall shoots at the time, it was container growing then and was planted out in late Oct.
Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
http://www.needmorebamboo.com
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needmore
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Re: Oldhamii

Post by needmore »

This bamboo is really impressive with lush foliage, a very nice upsize and the tight clumping pattern. I can't really get photos of the new shoots w/o culling lower branches. I'd have to say it has the potential to be the best screening bamboo I've ever grown. The tall shoot is around 1.5", there are some 2"+ hidden in the foliage that should be materially taller than the tall guy. This plant was obtained 2/2016 as a 5 gallon recent division, planted in 10/2017 to screen a garage/floodlight that was visible but now is gone already.
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Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
http://www.needmorebamboo.com
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