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How Do I know when to give up on a bamboo

17 years ago

I have 2 types of running bamboos that I transplanted back in Sept One is Robert Young and the other I can't remember the name.

Anyway neither of these have put up shoots. The Robert Young still has leaves but they are all brown. The ther bamboo a Lage DARK green Culm Phylo species still has greenish looking leaves but no shoots and the leaves look sick.

Is there anyway to know if it is still alive?

During the transplant they were blown over and up rooted a few times but eventually they stayed in the fround leading me to believe the roots were growing.

Any Advice?

THANKS

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Comments (8)

rbkelso1
17 years ago
The one with green leaves is alive.The other one may be alive.I have heard to leave a dead looking newly planted bamboo alone for a year before you declare it dead.I planted a green stripe vivax earlier this year and it turned brown had no leaves, looked completely dead for at least a couple of months.A week or so ago a shoot came up.Dont give up yet.Keep them watered and I like to drive a t-post close to a newly planted boo to tie it to.They dont like movement.They need the roots to settle in.
unautre
17 years ago
In my experiences with runners and clumpers, a bamboo transplant will frantically put up floppy culms and whipshoots and populate them with leaves that provide the energy to the plant.

It seems there is a good spurt of growth as the plant tries to obtain some traction and achieve viability, at least as soon as the weather permits.

If you've got 2 Phyllostachys that have not shown any new growth in SC by 1 June, I share your concern.

nothing you can do but wait.

Sept is late. Better to have some months of warm weather following the transplant.

That said, I translanted a Ph. aurea in Dec 04. Leaves stayed on, and I had a few new shoots in spring 05, and a lot more in the past few weeks. Still not running, just clumping. I hope to see some remote culms next spring after the rhizome running of this year.
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hollenback
17 years ago
In 2003 my vivax was killed to the ground over winter and did not start shooting till July. I would give them more time.

Bill
kudzu9
17 years ago
In my experience, Robert Young can take a while to get going in even the best of circumstances. Planting in September when most of the growth for the year has occurred means it won't be putting out much in the way of roots for a number of months which is necessary for them to be stable in the ground...that's why you need to stake them. Also, I'm curious: How big were the root balls on these when you got them?
joefalco
Original Author
17 years ago
Kudzu,

The rootballs were pretty big. The divisions were 3 culms on each plant. Other bamboos that I planted at the same time are alive for sure some putting up shoots. p. niegra, moso some other one don't know the name. I think my bambusa multiplex alfonz kar or whatever it's called didn't make it either.
divahethr
17 years ago
is digging carefully to look at the rhizomes out of the question? am i the only one that does this? >
stockwell
17 years ago
I have had a RY up here in the northeast for 3 years. It's a late shooter, but it also has a second shooting in the fall. Be patient and see what happens
hoe_hoe_hoe
17 years ago
I've seen some absolutely amazing comebacks- in one gallon plastic pots nonetheless. Try to give it some time unless you are absolutely DYING to plant something else in the same spot.

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