Observations of Parvifolia over 13 years
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2019 2:42 pm
I've grown Ph. parvifolia in Middle Tennessee for approximately 13 years, and these are the observations I've made regarding its growth.
Ph. parvifolia is an exceptionally hardy large bamboo. It is at least as hardy as vivax, and may be a 1/2 a growing zone more hardy than vivax.
Parvifolia is a heavy feeder, uses lots of nitrogen, and enjoys yearly doses of micro nutrients especially iron. Given proper nutrition and adequate water this is an exceptionally fast growing bamboo.
When young, parvi produces shoots at approximately 45°, and large masses of small deep green leaves cover the culms from top to bottom.
This seems to be an adaptation of immature parvi to quickly produce as much energy as possible by exposing more of the leaves to the sun.
Parvifolia is among the first bamboo to roll its leaves during hot and/or dry weather which helps this rapidly growing plant to conserve water.
In the spring, given adequate nutrition, parvifolia produces masses of deep green small leaves. The small leaves create, in total, a larger surface area than bamboo with larger leaves. As the heat of summer progresses the plants will drop leaves to balance the plant, but will always have more leaf mass than its brethren.
When mature, parvi seems to loose its tendency to lean out and grows upright. I think this plant is capable of 4" culms given proper nutrition. I have measured a 3" cane to be 43' tall.
Parvifolia is thin walled but does not seems to break as much under ice loads as vivax. The seasoned canes resist cracking especially if the septums are removed. The wood is thin but really "snappy".
The canes split well green or cured.
Ph. parvifolia is an exceptionally hardy large bamboo. It is at least as hardy as vivax, and may be a 1/2 a growing zone more hardy than vivax.
Parvifolia is a heavy feeder, uses lots of nitrogen, and enjoys yearly doses of micro nutrients especially iron. Given proper nutrition and adequate water this is an exceptionally fast growing bamboo.
When young, parvi produces shoots at approximately 45°, and large masses of small deep green leaves cover the culms from top to bottom.
This seems to be an adaptation of immature parvi to quickly produce as much energy as possible by exposing more of the leaves to the sun.
Parvifolia is among the first bamboo to roll its leaves during hot and/or dry weather which helps this rapidly growing plant to conserve water.
In the spring, given adequate nutrition, parvifolia produces masses of deep green small leaves. The small leaves create, in total, a larger surface area than bamboo with larger leaves. As the heat of summer progresses the plants will drop leaves to balance the plant, but will always have more leaf mass than its brethren.
When mature, parvi seems to loose its tendency to lean out and grows upright. I think this plant is capable of 4" culms given proper nutrition. I have measured a 3" cane to be 43' tall.
Parvifolia is thin walled but does not seems to break as much under ice loads as vivax. The seasoned canes resist cracking especially if the septums are removed. The wood is thin but really "snappy".
The canes split well green or cured.