Search found 86 matches

by Leo S
Sun Nov 17, 2019 5:28 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: Is everyone’s Phyllostachys Nigra Flowering?
Replies: 15
Views: 9729

Re: Is everyone’s Phyllostachys Nigra Flowering?

My P. nigra is showing no sign of flowering. First, I noticed you are in Australia, where some of the tropical giant black bamboos are more easily available than here in North America. If you purchased the bamboo only by common name, the 3 most common species of black bamboo are Phyllostachys nigra ...
by Leo S
Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:00 pm
Forum: Growing Bamboo
Topic: Rare clumpers
Replies: 7
Views: 5723

Re: Rare clumpers

Yep, my advice on Fargesia, is for a relatively deep, say at least 6 inches to 12 inches or more of well composted bark with some peat moss, & lawn clippings blended in. It is not ''just a pH issue'', in that it is probably more than just an acidic chemical reaction that Fargesia require. Pure p...
by Leo S
Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:23 am
Forum: Growing Bamboo
Topic: Getting back into gardening, zone 5
Replies: 44
Views: 21748

Re: Getting back into gardening, zone 5 - tip from Bonsai fo

Right now Phyllo aureosulcata normal form (green with dull yellow groove) and Pleioblastus viridistriatus are the two bamboos I have in quantity that anyone local to Zion IL, (north of Waukegan IL) can come and dig. If you dig your own, no charge. I'm responding to the posts about wintering bamboo i...
by Leo S
Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:42 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: Fargesia sp. 'Jiuzhaigou 1'
Replies: 28
Views: 14467

Re: Fargesia sp. 'Jiuzhaigou 1'

That is a really nice clone of Fargesia there. Beautiful.
I hope it flourishes for you.

Keep in mind my observation about needing a high in organics, soft, & mildly acidic soil. If it starts to decline on you, this would be my first issue to consider.
by Leo S
Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:32 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

Pleioblastus viridistriatus - Matt, don't let it scare you, it is just a wimpy ground cover bamboo. I have it against my block foundation too. It has not come through the mortar yet, and its been there 35 years. Now I do regularly have to cut off an aureosulcata culm from inside the basement of my f...
by Leo S
Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:22 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

Leo, thank you so much for all the fantastic info, and the time spent writing it. I've been super busy with work this week but I will take time to reread it this weekend. I am curious though, could you elaborate a bit on "rubro not being hardy enough in 5b" always top killed? Or complete,...
by Leo S
Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:53 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

Wow leo thanks for all the info! I wonder if a big styrofoam overwintering cone over the indocalamus would help if it's in a spot that gets winter sun. It's probably not big enough for a fully grown plant but i imagine you could bend some culms down and fit it over smaller, less mature plants. how ...
by Leo S
Sun Sep 02, 2018 8:21 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

Wow, thanks for all the excellent info Leo. You definitely have some of the best, long term, cold zone, bamboo growing info out there. Make sure to let me know when you decide that work needs to be done on your Aureosulcata grove. If I can swing the time away and the trip, I'd love to help, in exch...
by Leo S
Sun Sep 02, 2018 8:07 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

chapter 5 The Fargesia Everyone North of Saint Louis is infatuated with Fargesia as a winter hardy bamboo. Over the 37 years or so that I have been growing bamboo I have always had one or another of the Fargesia. I had a Fargesia nitida planted in a 3 gallon bucket plunged in the ground that persist...
by Leo S
Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:33 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

chapter 4 of Leo's bamboo book. Indocalamus latifolius - Here is a bamboo you would not think would do well in zone 5b. I have a small clump that has remained a small clump, that has hung in there for 20 years. Bought it from David in Maryland quite a long time ago. Big leaf bamboo. I planted it int...
by Leo S
Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:16 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

Groundcover bamboos in zone 5b. Pleioblastus viridistriatus - Greenstripe bamboo. This one is just lovely. In 5b it needs to be planted in the ground in spring, so it has all summer to put rhizomes deep enough to survive a bad winter. I get 100% top kill every winter, but new shoots from the rhizome...
by Leo S
Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:00 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

One Phyllostachys I had forgotten to mention. Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young', this is an incredibly beautiful bamboo. I think it is underappreciated. It should be planted more often. It is NOT WINTER HARDY in zone 5b. In zone 6b it is extremely hardy and quite beautiful. In 6b it only top kill...
by Leo S
Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:31 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

continued...... Phyllo aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' - this is my favorite color variety of Yellow Groove bamboo. The bright golden yellow culms can be seen from quite a distance. As a landscape accent or focal point, it is a good one. Seems every bit as hardy as the normal wild type. Again I kept this...
by Leo S
Sat Sep 01, 2018 7:49 pm
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

Leo, you are still around! I've read several threads you have talked about your aureosulcata in, but I can't seem to recall if you have any other species? If so, could I trouble you for a short list of your hardiness experiences, and heights, as compared to your Y.G. Hi Matt Yep, still around. Like...
by Leo S
Wed Aug 29, 2018 2:19 am
Forum: Bamboo Discussions
Topic: First bamboo you obtained
Replies: 45
Views: 27119

Re: First bamboo you obtained

My first bamboo was Phyllostachys aureosulcata (the normal form) bought in 1983, planted outdoors in June. That very first winter had -25F, it survived. The bed is now 35 feet long and 3 feet wide. These days culms average 12 to 18 feet tall, depending on rain and if I fertilize the previous summer....