Phylllostachys what 'Beijing'

[johnw]

Awhile back Brad wondered about the true species name for what's distributed as Phyllostachys propinqua 'Beijing'. Now that I have the Compendium I see as he mentioned that propinqua in the book looks nothing like the 'Beijing' plant. Any ideas?

I see on Brad's site he reckons it may be a glauca selection.

johnw

[stevelau1911]

I think it may be closely related to glauca, but it is definitely a very hardy form of it. This didn't get much damage unprotected when it fell to around -22.5C a couple winters ago as a small plant. That was one of our coldest winter temperatures, tying a record low so I'm guessing that this bamboo should normally be evergreen in my climate. Here's an old thread on its ID.
http://www.bambooweb.info/bb/viewtopic. ... 1&start=15

The one weakness I see with this bamboo is that it might not have that much size potential. Back in 2011 I did happen to take 70% of the grove off in divisions which may be why it only upsized marginally this year, but if that is not the reason, then its size potential might be no more than 1.5inches X 20ft or so in zone 6. I only took off a few divisions for 2012 so I guess I'll find out if it has much size potential or not. The biggest culm is around 7/8" by 13 which is a slight upgrade from last year so if I'm lucky, it may produce new shoots next year in the 15-20ft range.

[needmore]

Steve I bet there will come a day when you will not use 'only' and '1.5x20' in conjunction with one another.

[pokenei]

My beijing is hanging on by a hair...going into winter. It has less leaves than the number of digits on you. If it can make it out of this winter, then it is definitely zone 5 hardy.

[Iowaboo]

It'll make it just because it will probably be under snow all the time with that dwarf height.

[jd.]

If it can make it out of this winter, then it is definitely zone 5 hardy.

It may be rhizome hardy but unfortunately an exposed Phyllostachys 'Beijing' bamboo here suffers topkill every winter including the mild years. In zone 5, this bamboo performs better when buried under a thick layer of snow or otherwise sheltered.