Dieback Perennials

[Brian_K]

A number of people here grow clumpers as die-back perennials, how exactly does that work out for you? Are the rhizomes much hardier than the culms in most cases? If the boo was just around for Summer, it would be no different than cannas, peonies, and zebra grass, except more awesome
I seem to remember someone in VA growing B. multiplex that diedback every winter.

[Thuja]

Sadly, you could say I've been growing runners here as die-backs. I've been tempted to try a Bambusa multiplex covered with a bale or two of straw over winter. I may try it this year with an extra plant.

[CadyG]

I grow a half dozen species of Pleioblastus as perennials. They die to the ground at between 0 and 10F depending on the variety, and come back gangbusters in the spring. This winter was mild - temps never got below 6 or 7F if that, so even the more tender types kept some green. But they look ratty after a long windy season, so I'll cut them down and let the new shoots replace them.

[Iowaboo]

Aren't all bamboo dieback perennials?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thuja]

Good one Lance. Here's a pic of my 3-yr old dieback Bisset...
<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo ... sApril.jpg" alt="PHYLLOSTACHYS bissetii ">
Actually it has some live culms since I buried it in straw and snow, and I even covered it with a canvas drop cloth during the worst parts of winter, --just your average perennial mulch. The pond probably helps too. Oh yeah, don't forget wind protection...

[Brian_K]

Cheer up! It doesn't look like it has total TK...

[JakeK]

What would be the best species to try for overwintering a tropical clumper? Multiplex??

Cannas, elephant ears, even philodendron selloum overwinter here nicely with adequate mulching.

[Thuja]

I think another good candidate for wintering over might be Bambusa textilis for some potentially bigger culms.

Jake, I was surprised to read that you overwinter Philodendron selloum and Elephant Ears outside. How did you do that? I guess it's a bit off topic, but I bet the same winter protection technique would work for the hardiest Bambusa's.

[BooKing]

Thuja, you might want to try Musa basjoo[Japanese hardy banana] too. Just put a few bales of hay or leaves 2 feet high on it before each winter.
My nigra was a dieback bamboo for the first few years, now it's built up enough to withstand the winter.

[JakeK]

The cannas and elephant ears are planted fairly close to the foundation of the house, probably no further than 3 feet.

The philodendron is at a friends house and is planted very close to the foundation. To overwinter the philodendron you need to pile straw over it fairly thickly then he puts just some regular black satin mulch over that. The pile is about 18 inches tall.

I hear there is another philodendron that will do even better in Cincinnati's climate. I forget the name though.

[Thuja]

Thanks Jake, I'll give it a try. One more question tho: "black satin mulch" That's a new one for me. What's that?

BooKing, I have Basjoo, overwintered in the house but will try a pup outside this winter.

[Eastlandia]

I use the ol' goat manuer and it works wonders. I dont know about the amount of heat it gives off, but it sure does keep the rhizomes in good shape.
I met someone a few years ago who once had a fargasia near his North Dakota home. He said it grew quite well considering the die-back effect you discribed.
With a tent-like dome and a little cash you could cover the culms of bissetii to about 5 feet then heat the inside. Keep a heater or a timer to keep the inside at about 40-35 degrees.( Dont let them shoot! )
NOTE: I haven't tryed this considering my bamboo plots are hundreds of yards from my house,(and electricity) but no worries.... With a little temperature resarch you could get Bissetii to twice the hight it is now. Or...not. good luck WI!
Haha, who knows!-Eastlandia

[JakeK]

Mike,
Black Satin Mulch is a shredded softwood mulch mixed with decomp manure. Black in color, but not dyed, the manure stains it a very dark brown/black color.
It is probably the most popular type of mulch to use here. It probably goes by several names, so up in Wisc. it may be known as something else.
The other nice benefit of this type of mulch is that in about one years time it breaksdown into a rich soil.
Jake

[Thuja]

Thanks, I'll check for that. Seeing as how this is the dairy state, maybe the mulch is called something like Black Cow or Cow Pies instead.