Yep, I'm quite sure now the fruit was just immature when I saw it. The plant itself appeared to be doing well and had no frost damage on the foliage even after it snowed. We were about 20 miles from the coast, so the air temperatures weren't too cold this time of year; I don't think it got more than a degree or two below freezing most nights. I really can't remember what the sensitive could have been, as the only things the name plaques showed was the scientific and common name. I believe the plaque may have mentioned something similar to papyrifera, since I kind of remember thinking it was interesting, but it could have been another plant I saw that day too. Or, maybe the plant had the wrong species name. I'd have to go back in the spring and see it again. All I know is that the shrub at my friend's house looked more like Fatsia japonica than Tetrapanax, and the one at the botanical garden, whatever it was listed as, looked like the plant at the house. Anyway, thank you all for the help (and the compliment!). I really liked this plant and didn't think to post here until just recently, as I have been wondering what it was called for the past month or so. I wish it was hardy enough for my zone, I'd take some cuttings home with me from the plant in Virginia. Would it grow well as a potted plant? I could always take it inside for the winter if I had some growing. My friend's mother was planning on pruning the plant sometime, so I might have a chance to save some pieces from going to waste.

I suspect what you're talking about is a long neck. Does your plant look similar to a palm tree? If so, depending on how long the neck is there are a couple things that can be done. If the neck is fairly short you can remove the lower part of the root ball, and then scrape the neck with the back of a knife until it is green. Put the plant back in the pot and cover the scraped neck with your AV potting mix. The neck will grow roots. Should the neck be too long for this you can remove all but about 9 leaves, cut off the root ball completely, scrape the neck, and plant that. This is of course not without risk because you are leaving the plant without any roots at all. The neck should regrow new roots, and I have personally done both methods. The second method should be used as a last resort though.

hi my bamboos are 170 cm, their crown is very long that they are bending . what shall i do ? Don't wanna cut them coz love the way they look but they are becoming too heavy on the vase , which i changed many times to bigger and taller ones. thanx

Scrape the neck with a sharp blade or your fingernail to expose the tissue underneath. Dust the neck lightly with rooting hormone. You must now 'bury' the neck in the soil. You will probably have to cut off some (or even all) of the rootball, but don't worry. The buried and scraped portion of the neck will produce new root. Your plant now needs to spend all of its energy on new roots so remove any blossoms. To prevent the plant from wilting or going into shock from losing part of its root system, place the plant under a dome or inside a Ziploc bag to create added humidity. This acts like an ICU.