Black Bamboo

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:02 am

I just bought a 5g Black Bamboo Plant( Phyllostachys Nigra),this stuff
is incredibly beautiful-has anybody tried growing this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Bamboo-Plant- ... 5adf694f6b

sidpook · Post by **sidpook** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:33 am

Never saw that before ...beautiful! Running or clumping?? I had, have, had, still have, had, have..... running and regret it still. Next I'm going with clumping.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:37 am

Jim,
it is fantastic.
I had it at my last house, in Tulsa proper. Grew well, very handsome, and much hardier than golden bamboo.
It runs, but so what? I just tug or kick over new spears that come up where I don't want them. Once I explained that to the neighbors they were on board and appreciated the privacy screen.
A local nursery has it in 15 gallon pots which I'll buy if I can afford to. I really, really like it. --Erik

CTPalm · Post by **CTPalm** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:40 pm

sidpook wrote:Never saw that before ...beautiful! Running or clumping?? I had, have, had, still have, had, have..... running and regret it still. Next I'm going with clumping.

Mike I'm with you - although this type looks gorgeous. I had a type of running bamboo once even though the nursery told me clumping. I spent the next 3 years with bloody Palms(hands) trying to get rid of it. Although I like the look, It did get me in trouble.

Jim, You need to build a barrier three feet down all the way around it if you want to contain it. It sure looks nice, I'd love to try that one, but I just might get kicked out of the house. Good luck, sure looks beautiful in photo.

Paul

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:05 pm

Black bamboo is beautiful... Only problem I have is that it is not hardy enough for me. It is, perhaps, best rated a zone 6b (maybe 7a?) type. Oh, and the culms turn black in their 2nd year, so you'll need to overwinter it in good condition to see the wonderful culms.

Here is a good link showing performance in zone 5b/6a similar to your own, Jim:
http://www.needmorebamboo.com/phynigra.html

The owner of this nursery has done the most complete evaluation of bamboo that I know of in a continental zone 6 climate.

His hardiness ratings (P. nigra is a 'C' compared to aureosulcata which is an 'A'):
http://www.needmorebamboo.com/hardiness.html

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:07 pm

Paul Ont wrote:Black bamboo is beautiful... Only problem I have is that it is not hardy enough for me. It is, perhaps, best rated a zone 6b (maybe 7a?) type. Oh, and the culms turn black in their 2nd year, so you'll need to overwinter it in good condition to see the wonderful culms.

Here is a good link showing performance in zone 5b/6a similar to your own, Jim:
http://www.needmorebamboo.com/phynigra.html

The owner of this nursery has done the most complete evaluation of bamboo that I know of in a continental zone 6 climate.

His hardiness ratings (P. nigra is a 'C' compared to aureosulcata which is an 'A'):
http://www.needmorebamboo.com/hardiness.html

P.S. I've not used any barriers in my area, but I have both lots of land and a colder climate than you!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:36 pm

I'm not worried about containing it to much,I think it's
doing well hear and spreading would be very welcome.

Depending on how big it gets,I will probably rig something
up for shelter and heat AT LEAST the first year or 2.

Once it is well established it should be fine with a little mulching-
I mean ****,this stuff can grow 6+" a day!

Wes North Van · Post by **Wes North Van** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:55 am

My neighbours have some growing in pots that they keep out in thier front yard all year.
Great looking stuff but I have heard that it runs and quickly.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:31 am

Actually not sure where I will plant it yet!

I think the cold/unprotected winter soil may have something to
say about how far this stuff grows in z5b.

I uncovered my giant reed grass over the weekend,
it has a few shoots ready to go!

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:21 am

hardyjim wrote:I uncovered my giant reed grass over the weekend,
it has a few shoots ready to go!

Variegated one? I kept two of mine in unheated green house. They started pushing new shoots from the axils a month ago. I cut the stems and put them onto a wet sand. Let us see what will be happening.

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:18 pm

Black bamboo is sexy... I think thats the only word to describe it.

It was my first choice, but it wouldnt stand too much of a chance of getting any size here, if it even made it.

Its going to look good in your yard. Take some pics when you can..

Grats dude!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:55 pm

canadianplant wrote:Black bamboo is sexy... I think thats the only word to describe it.

Take some pics when you can..

Oh,I will

sidpook · Post by **sidpook** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:53 pm

CTPalm wrote:
sidpook wrote:Never saw that before ...beautiful! Running or clumping?? I had, have, had, still have, had, have..... running and regret it still. Next I'm going with clumping.
Mike I'm with you - although this type looks gorgeous. I had a type of running bamboo once even though the nursery told me clumping. I spent the next 3 years with bloody Palms(hands) trying to get rid of it. Although I like the look, It did get me in trouble.

Paul

It is too invasive her and grows way too quickly! Guess our lots are too close together. I would love to keep it though.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:33 am

I wish i could use it as a wind block but I
will more likely end up protecting it

At least until it is well established.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:40 am

As near as I can tell, all bamboo of all species and all ages in the Tulsa area is trashed. It will come back from the ground of course.
I have never protected bamboo with anything more than mulch but that has not worked for me the past two winters.

Anyway, black bamboo is worth the effort. --Erik

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:19 pm

I put some effort into protecting it the first couple years...
cuz,,,as you say-it's worth it!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:28 pm

Hopefully be here tomorrow......and not already growing to much!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:22 pm

Me again

Black bamboo arrived today(Thursday),already over 6' tall!
The stalks are small but already are black colored,this was a great deal
(esp)if you look at what other sellers offer and their prices.

I will post some pics of it tomorrow along with some of the palms,
everything is uncovered except for a little hospital tent(back of cactus shelter)
that is covering most of 6 palms....5 have spear-pull.

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:49 pm

Thats a good size Jim!

Did you decide where to plant it?

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:54 pm

hardyjim wrote:Me again

Black bamboo arrived today(Thursday),already over 6' tall!
The stalks are small but already are black colored,this was a great deal
(esp)if you look at what other sellers offer and their prices.

Look forward to the pics. I use to have some P. nigra that a friend gave me. Kept in a large container so it wouldn't run to much. Eventually I got rid of it though due to lack of space for it.

It really is a beautiful specimen plant. If I had more space I would get some more.

I currently have Semiarundinaria fastuosa (Temple Bamboo) & Bambusa oldhamii. The later which is a clumper.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:28 am

This was a really sweet deal-esp-when you consider people
are charging over $50 for a handful of roots.

This plant is already as nice as I hoped it would be by the end of the year!

With any luck it will put a few shoots up in April-but I am very happy to
see it stay just like it is!

I uncovered EVERYTHING else today(Washys and T.ferns),both will need to be
covered below(T.ferns) 28F/under 26F for the Washys but the major protection is off the Washys.

Nothing under 27F in the 15 day forecast...for what that's worth.

Just a little tent with a space heater for cold nights to be careful-the spears grew 3"
over the winter....not bad.

I had trouble loading the pictures this morning but I did get the Bamboo....

It already has black stalks.
It stands over 6'-was bent over in the box but is straight now-here it is-

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:21 pm

Looks great!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:23 am

Thanks Dean

Nice to have an established plant already-
if it grows at all this year,it's a bonus!

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:42 am

Looks good Jim! Before long you'll have a jungle in front of your house, it will be nice to work in the yard again.

That trachies are coming out of the greenhouse as soon as I get home, let the fun begin.

Bill

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:15 am

That's a nice one, wow.

And only you get 3 inches of palm growth during winter

Well done.

Barb

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:14 pm

Hey Bill!!!

Barb

That is just on the spears!

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:08 pm

Nice find Jim!!!

Just wait for it to shoot, give it a few weeks. Hopefuly some bigger culms!