Chris, that's a creative way to send rhizomes, in PVC. How do you cap off the ends of the tube? Just tape them? Thanks.

Great Chris,

You have mail!

Stu

Via US Mail, there are 2 sizes of box that ship Priority for a flat rate, not weight based fees. The smaller of the 2 runs $3 something and the larger is $7.70 I think. You could cram mucho rhizome in the big one and a fair amount in the smaller one. I'd suggest wrapping the rhizomes up in wet newspaper, putting them in a ziplock and using one of these boxes. Apparently there is also some commercial gel that I'll be using to bring back rhizomes from Europe in November. I've not seen it but was told that it is 'the thing' to use on bare rhizome for transport, but I do not know how much it costs. Guess I'll be finding out soon.

Thuja - I was going to put PVC end caps on it and tape those, but Hoosier's way is soooo much easier (Thanks!). That chunk of PVC was pretty darn heavy. It seemed like it would work, but a disposable one way box is probably better!

Well, I have way more than I thought I would. First two packages went out. I kinda thought I gypped Tom, because I thought I would not have much more to dig. Man was I wrong.

I think I have two more packages worth of 8' YG rhizomes and a small pack of two Red Margins.

Here's the pile I just dug.

{{gwi:423369}}

Basically the raised beds the boo is in is backed by 18" of pressure treated lumber with a 30" root barrier on the inside. Well the barrier was supposed to be at the same elevation as the lumber... (as per this pic)

{{gwi:423370}}

...but for a 20' (or so) section it sagged (yep, I screwed up) and is under 6" of soil. Which I've been digging and hosing out....

{{gwi:423371}}

{{gwi:423372}}

Anyway, I've got a pile of rhizome that I can mail out if I have a few more takers. Here's the mother grove....

{{gwi:423373}}

The amazing part is that I only planted it (a self dug field specimen) 18 months ago.

I seriously underestimated the power of bamboo. Both sites I have dug from were shaded, not watered, and not in great soil. Digging it didn't teach me to respect the boo. This stuff is amazing when given the right conditions. The trench I dug is small and the pile of rhizomes is HUGE.

Chris, you probably already know this but you might as well cut off and discard the part of the rhizome from the pointed tip back to the point where the 'fine' roots begin. The end near the tip usually contains only anchor roots and almost never has viable buds.

Ah! No I didn't know that, I was actually trying hard to preserve those pointy ends, figuring if they were left out of soil might make a whip shoot this year. They are quite fragile, so knowing not to bother to protect them is a big tip. Thanks!

I think I have all the boo spoken for from this round. Five boxes headed out.

Well, it is possible that they can turn into living culms, they usually rot away instead but even if they do manage to survive as whipculms they'll have no viable buds and we call these 'living sticks'.

Almost never will the rhizome have viable buds from the tip back to the point where the real roots - not the larger anchor roots, but even farther where the fine roots begin. I usually even discard the first foot or so after the fine roots start, just to increase the likelihood of viable buds. This new rhizome tip area just has not had enough time to store the energy needed for viable buds.

well if you end up with any more I would be very interested.

if you happen to get a little bit more, i would love to have a peice of rhizome from your YG also, just email me for my address. thanks

Chris, What's going on? I still see lawn grass in your yard.

Let the boo free
then you will see
the almighty power
that does not flower

Good poem there LKZ. Chris could mulch the whole yard and let the bamboo roam free. Those melons or pumpkins could then climb up the bamboo and start growing 40-pound fruits. It would look kinda cool like pumpkin trees.

Cool idea guys.
Ikz5ia: send that in to Hallmark and have a photo of a bamboo grove and I bet there are alot of bambooer's out there that would buy it for occasions...

lol

Nice poem!

Yes, still some grass. I occasionally try to stay married. ;) I may get to subdue one more section of lawn this fall. Not sure what to plant, bissetti to screen out that neighbor year round for sure or do I be bold and try for Henon or virdis?

The pumpkins are more than happy to climb the boo, but they flatten it (the boo is still young). A few more years and maybe some Sakata (small Japanese) melons will be able to climb and flourish.

Chris! package arrived today! man yer quick!! ; - D
Decided against the pcv pipe plan huh! soggy newspaper in a plastic bag worked out real good. I tossed them in the pond for 10 minutes while I prep'd the 2 planters for new visitors. 10 gallon planters, 2 inch gravel bottoms for drainage, 4 inches of a sandy,dirt mix that my baby buhddas love. Then toped it off with shredded hardwood. Said a silent prayer to the Boo Gods and watered well.
Thanks again Chris... I'll keep ya posted on the new additions.
CJ

I'm certainly too late for round one (and perhaps round two) but if opportunity should arise I would love to be considered. I promise to feed it and water it and call it George..

Mrchills@email.uophx.edu

~Chills

Just an update Chris!!! :-D Wahoo!! One of the 2 planters I set up have sprouted!! New yellow groove.

{{gwi:423374}}

Thanks again
CJ

Nice Cj, mines never arrived :(

but, I have a small 4" golden bamboo rizhome that I though it will never sprout a new shoot cuz it was too small, but I dig a little bit the soil and I see a nice almost white shoot at the surface.. :)

I am just starting to think about a bamboo garden and am really interested in some Red Margin Chris. If you ever get an extra bit of rhizome I would really appreciate some starter.

Thanks
Brian

Hello Chris; If you could include me on your list the next time around I would appreciate it very much.

Thank You
John

Anybody know if this culm I have will harden in time to survive or any suggestions? Should I bring it inside when it drops into the 40s? Any helpful suggestions would be great.
Thanks again Chris
CJ

Chris; Please keep me in mind next time. Thanks.

Red Margin / Ph. rubromarginata

... is known to be a very aggressive runner, so have plenty of room or be ready for serious control measures.

Wow, heck of a responce. I don't think I'll have any more this year (except for a second try to steelhorse/alex).

At least four of the six packages I sent made it, dunno about one (utlucky's I think, matching peoples handles here to emails is a bit confusing) and alex's has mysteriously dissapeared into postal never-never land. If the post office doesn't find it by spring I hope it shoots and takes over a lost mail depot. :)

I was quite glad to hear CJ's did shoot. The piece of red margin I potted up here at about the same time is doing nothing. :-/

Chris,

I was sent some bamboo just recently on Oct. 7th via USPS horseback (parcel post). It arrived Wen. the 16th. Seemed they had a problem with the box or packaging. Not really any excuse since it came from NJ & I'm in PA.

rick,

the funny thing is I got the bamboo from Fred all the across country in 2 days...Go figure? I gotta be nice to my USPS guy-he puts all the packages under a covering in shade because he knows they are bamboo-he just shakes his head and says: how many #@*&%# plants can you fit here already? I just smile and say there is always room for "1" more.Actually, I give him plants I know longer have the room for[Not bamboos!]....

LOL Chris nice wishes for the USPS over there ;0)

so, you are in town again? I will email you

Hi Chris,

I stumbled upon this posting quite late so I know I missed the first round but I'd be interested in some Yellow Groove or even some Red Margin if there's another round. Thanks!

Chris... just an update on the Yellow Groove Rhizomes you sent me :-D
Thanks
CJ
{{gwi:423375}}

"" Wow, heck of a responce. I don't think I'll have any more this year (except for a second try to steelhorse/alex).

At least four of the six packages I sent made it, dunno about one and alex's has mysteriously dissapeared into postal never-never land. If the post office doesn't find it by spring I hope it shoots and takes over a lost mail depot. :)""
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -

hey Chris, you're not going to believe me !!
But it's not necesary your second try, guess why?
finally and after one month of being lost the bamboo package appeared!! full of stamps of "received in damage condition", hmm so strange, doesnt it?, last saturday the guy in charge of the mail boy at my office called me saying I got one big box from USA, for my surprise I to found that it were the lost rizhomes :O .. I dont know if you are going to believe me but a lot of rizhomes have small buds growing like 0.5", also had few shoots of 2' or 3" but they were too weak most of them fell off from the rizhome, now my money is on the buds (like 15) that seems very viable, all rizhomes are in a soiless mix in a big pot since saturday night.

those wet newspaper you put inside did their job very well :) they created kind of greenhouse effect the whole month

Awesome! I cannot believe that after a month they showed up and alive too!! Amazing. Ironically I just sat down at my computer to print your address for the second try.

Those buds were not that big when it shipped out. Hmmm... maybe this is how rhizome propagation should be done, wrap them in wet newspaper, strap them into odd shapees with zip ties, jam them into a garbage bag and punt around the country for a month. :)

well, feel free to send the second try anyway ;-) (just to be sure that I will have a healthy yellow grove )

I will post here or email you a picture I took them just like I found them (just to support what I told you, some buds growed and some big but weaks shoots), I will update you as soon as I find new activity by this rizhomes.

one week later and no activity over the soil..

:(

how much do I have to wait to see if those "viable" buds will shoot?
do i have to dig little bit to take a look under the soil?

I'd give it quite a bit of time. I think Hoosier indicated a few weeks is all he'd hold out hope for. However, there's no harm in holding for longer than that.

If nothing happens by June, well I'd say they didn't make it. :)

I got the plants yesterday thanks again chris. I was planning on planting them in pots through the winter to ensure a good start . My question is do i need to leave part of the zome above the ground to get light?

:-( sad to report my sprout flopped over. Guess he didnt have enough stored energy to finish the trip huh? Bummer. Any advise? Should I clip it to save what energy might be in there for winter?
CJ

Meat, nope bury it!

CJ, dang. I don't know. I'd let it do what it wants to do. I'm afraid I just don't know.

Don't know either but be very careful not to overwater if it's in a pot & indoors. Let the soil surface dry out before watering. Try out your moisture meter if you have one.

Soil is moist...in planter outside...planning to leave it there too. Wonder if one of the tree rats had anything to do with this? Maybe a little tarzan attempt that failed. Gonna have to dust off te paintball gun ...agai...(Evil grin) several marked criters spotted in the neighborhood...that way I can tell whos a repeat customer!! Bahahahaa. L8R
CJ

Here is a pic of the patient. I put a tulip support on it after the pic so atleast its standing upright again. Sill feels strong so maybe it'll recover.
CJ

{{gwi:423376}}

Hmmm, do you have a sunnier spot? I'd think that every bit of photosynthisis it can get in this fall would be good. Looks sunny in the yard.

Hi Chris..when ever you have anymore yellow groove rhizomes or the red margins would you remember me? I don't have any bamboo and would love to get started with some. I live in Mississippi and in zone 8. Will this bamboo grow im my zone? You can email me for my address.
Thanks so much
Deb

Chris, I realize it's late to get in on the deal, but I just got into the group.If You have any rhizomes in the future you want give out ,I'll take some.

Thank,s

man the ones you had sent me were still in the bag you sent it in today i went to plant they and there were 8 or 9 shoots groing off it along with some 8 to 10 inch zomes all that from being in that bag for a week in a 70 degree room no sun thoug.

Maybe meats discovered a new method here ;-)
CJ

Chris,I dropped your package in the mail tueday morning,good luck.

I didnt discover it it looks like chris did:) I burried the whole thing and i already have 23 shoots popping up only been 4 days

Wow, 23 shoots in four days. Hmmm, that's the second one that went ballistic after incubating in a hot/sauna like garbage bag. Though the other was in for 4 weeks and may not have done so well. Maybe a week long sauna incubation is enough to make rhizomes kick into gear, then plant them.

I wonder if we just learned something.

I've got a red margin that I planted in a pot 6 weeks ago that's done nothing. I think I'll wrap the whole pot in a garbage bag and sit it on one of my radiators for 10 days and see what happens.

gdr - I'll get you some Yellow grove in the mail, but it might be the end of next week, the next few days are busy, busy, busy! I'm setting up a hydroponic system for some winter veggies, I guess I'll experiment and see if the seeds respond well to hydroponic planting.

its going to be nice if you post a picture of those 23 new shoots, my ryzhome that lasted one month lost in the mail office has just pop one shoot but it dies when it was over the surface one inch .. at this point I dont know is the entire rizhome is still viable or not.. lets just wait :(