I belong to several ABS chapters including the Hawaii Chapter of the ABS. I am glad that we continue to look for the "best" answers related to proper identification. There will be a lot of twists and turns in our attempt to identify what we have... especially as collectors.

In the HCABS newsletter I received today, there was discussion related to what is commonly known as Bambusa Tulda. It seems this bamboo is now going to be referred to as Bambusa Longisiculata. Durnford Dart and others have been researching this bamboo for 15 years and is now convinced they have the correct name.

Gigantochloa Robusta as identified by Quindembo and Larry Reuter is now NOT going to be identified as Gigantochloa Robusta. The quest is on to find and import the true Robusta.

At the recent ABS conference in Hawaii, there was a lot of discussion related to the ID of the "Parker Giant". No one including Durnford Dart had a guess about that one other than Kim Higbie. Kim's guess is that it is the true Dendrocalamus Hamiltonii.

Discussion and disagreement are all good and makes us look beyond the quick "once over" based on one person's opinion. Bamboo may look a little different depending on where it is "now growing" vs. what it looked like in its natural environment. Facts like whether it grows with 185 days of full sun vs. 65 days of full sun... or whether it grows next to a canopy or within "drinking" distance of a large tree... or whether the bamboo has had to adapt to 30 inches of rain vs. it natural 66 inches of rain... all make a difference.

I remember when I first planted a giant bamboo at the farm.... at my house, it had huge leaves when it got plenty of TLC and filtered sunlight... when I planted it at my farm out in full sun with no protection, the leaves that grew the first year were half the size of the original and the culms looked different. The second year, I started noticing the leaves growing a little larger. I am hoping in time as the plant gets acclimated and established, the leaves will continue to get larger and look closer to what I saw at my house in the city.

Debate and discussion are all good. Thanks to everyone that contributes with their knowledge of what they have seen and/or believe. It will all lead to better knowledge by all. Thanks.

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Allen D. Aleshire
Bamboo Nut Farm

http://www.boonut.com