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Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 5:23 am
by heato
Hi Everyone,
Interested in bamboo and have a question about cool coastal climates.

I live in Eureka, CA and it is very mild. We are zone 9b so our lowest annual temperature is 25 degrees F. But what I'm concerned about is not that our climate is too cold, but rather that it's not warm enough. Our annual variation(high/low) is 64/53 in August and 55/41 in December.

Will the big clumpers do okay up here? I'm really interested in clumping bamboo with large diameter culms. I'd like to grow a 1,000 sf bamboo forest.

Any thoughts?

So far I'm interested in bambusa oldhamii, balcooa, and beecheyana. Will these ever be happy in "jacket weather"?

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:28 pm
by Tarzanus
I'm not sure about tropical giants, I think they won't be as fast growing and happy as in warmer locations, but should do OK. I don't know what diameter culms you can expect though and how slow they would grow.

I would definitely try growing bamboos from Borinda family - these are also clumpers, not as large, but they can look fabulous in right conditions. And cool and mild conditions are just ideal for them.

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 6:55 am
by Glen
I have never gardened in a climate like yours, but based on my experiences with subtropical bamboo, and conversations with people who have grown bamboo in your general area, I do not believe that you will have enough heat for Bambusa species to perform well. They need an extended period of very warm temperatures to produce and mature their culms.

You might want to contact Gib Cooper at Tradewinds Bamboo Nursery. His nursery is not too far from your area, and he would be able to help you make wise selections for your climate.

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 1:19 am
by heato
Thanks Guys! I'll definitely get in touch with Gib. That nursery is located right on the coast in the same zone!

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 2:42 am
by Cooper12
Id try Borinda boliana and Borinda lushiensis

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:16 am
by tallgrass
Have lots of clumpers in mckinleyville. Contact me and I will share all the info I have. Welcome to the cool coast.

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 4:46 pm
by Mr.Bean
Definitely visit Tradewinds in Gold Beach. Gib pointed out a few Bambusa he's been trying there when I visited. As others have said, it's just not warm enough for satisfactory growth of Bambusa.

On the other hand, Borinda lushuiensis is stunningly beautiful and as large as many Bambusa species (though obviously not the timber types).

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 9:12 pm
by ruse
*mostly posting so i can follow the advice here.*
I am also in the humboldt area. I know next to nothing about growing bamboo though. just transplanted some clumping bamboo and trying to get it to survive. would love to get some larger varieties but it sounds like that might not go so well here.

Re: Cool Coastal Climate

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 10:21 pm
by Tiv
I live in the Coos Bay area and got some nice Castillion from RKR Bamboo Plantation in Coquille. They had some timber bamboo. It has been a few years since I was last there but they were super helpful. Might want to google the phone number and call them before heading there because it is run by an older couple and I don't know their hours.

I have thought about putting some timber bamboo in but it is a bit hard to find the perfect spot knowing how large they can get. Humbolt gets more fog then we do so I have no idea no how it would grow for you.