three years ago i acquired a small division of Bambusa multiplex "silverstripe" from a local bamboo grower. it is quite vigorous-seems to be outperforming all other multiplex in my collection. last year its culms and sheaths were plain green- but most of its leaves displayed white striping. in the past few weeks it has begun to produce new culms that are EXTREMELY white-striped and reddish (both sheaths and culms), somewhat similar to Alphonse Karr, except that my Karr emergent culms have PLAIN green sheathes. the information on this cultivar posted on this site states that culms are occasionally white striped, so i'm guessing that this is what is happening- or, it is perhaps morphing into Alphose Karr (?). i am not sure what to think- i'm hoping somebody can explain this to me.

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zone 8b near folsom,la.

better (larger file ) photo

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zone 8b near folsom,la.

silverstripe

siverstripe

alphonse karr

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"Plants are people just like us"

Mine are shooting and look virtually the same as yours. The first shoot this year was so white that I was concerned that something serious was happening. The next shoots are not quite as striking, but have more white stripes than I recall. Mine were planted in ground in March 2008 from 7 gallon pots, so it's not like I have years of experience with these.

by late august the "silverstripe" has lost most of the color that it was exhibiting when the culms were emerging. in fact, the white stripes on the culms seemed to have faded out significantly. still rocketing skyward however.

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zone 8b near folsom,la.

WOW!!!
Those are COOL!!!
GREAT photos!!!!
I bet those are not for zone 6 though!!!!
From Bamboo Tony

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40 miles N.E of st louis

I think it was last year that there was a thread on silverstripe, and the general consensus was that young, vigorous growth = lots of color. as the plant got older and more mature, it would loose the color, and be plain with a very little white striping on the leaves. you might try doing a search, and see what else I am mis remembering on the topic!

the first flush of leaves has a ton of white stripes but within a month it mostly fades.

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"Plants are people just like us"