Hi Matt, so these plants arrived looking better than they are looking now? If so... I dont think its anything you have done...unless you somehow cut into the roots during transplant.

My opinion is this... this seller may have taken the division from his mother plants once the auction closed and plants were paid for...

Did he claim these were well established divisions already?

If he divided them and shipped same day they could have arrived looking much better than you are seeing now.
Just my 2 cents. If you didnt damage roots during your transplanting...I dont see any reason that they wouldnt have remained as healthy looking as when you received them.
Blessings,

"this seller may have taken the division from his mother plants once the auction closed and plants were paid for." Yes that is what he said in the auction that would happen. Is what I am seeing normal then? Is there anything I can do to halt the wilting? Can they be saved or is buying new divisions a big mistake?
I'm new to bamboo, Thanks for your help.
Matt

I agree with what CJ said, and I don't like the idea of dividing and selling immediately.

Also, sometimes during transplanting, the soil is loosened from the roots/rhizomes which can cause some stress and thus wilting.

All you can do now is make sure the soil is tight around the roots and keep watered very well for the next few days. Even if the leaves die off, the culms should be OK and new leaves should grow in a week or two.

I get transplants that look that way sometimes, but the plants always recover if enough roots are still intact with the plant.

Good Luck

Kt

Thanks kt,
I'll keep them wet and hope for the best. Would some Miracle Grow be wise at this point?
Matt

Maybe a weak solution of Miracle-Grow or maybe some type rooting hormone, but I personally don't like to use any fertilizer until the plant looks well established.

Some people recommend fish fertilizer and I have heard that Superthrive will bring back some really unhealthy plants. I've used it with good results.

Kt

I wouldn'd worry about them. They will resprout even from total defoliation--eventually. I agree about not fertilizing, especially as winter approaches.

Thanks All,
Your fast replies are appreciated. I'll let you know what happens.
Matt

njoasis 7 "I agree about not fertilizing, especially as winter approaches."

Why is that?

13-13-13 is a great all around fertilizer.

N-P-K

N - Nitrogen
P - Phosphorus
K - Potassium

Nitrogen helps plant foliage to grow strong.
Phosphorous helps roots and flowers grow and develop. Potassium (Potash) is important for overall plant health.

A high nitrogen fertilizer at this time of the year will produce top growth and leave the plant short on stored energy in it's roots/rhizomes.

If you do fertilize at this time of the year, use a high phosphorous fertilizer which helps the roots prepare for the Winter and allows for energy to be stored in the roots which is good for next years first growth in the early Spring.

I don't like to use fertilizer on newly dug and transplanted plants since the roots may be severely damaged and fertilizer can burn the roots, so waiting until the roots grow and get more established or 'heal' then you can fertilize without damage to the overall plant's health.

Kt

This is tough... they don't look underwatered or overwatered. I'm going along with everyone else and saying the roots may not have been established or have been damaged.

Hi,
We use vitamin B-1 and fish emulsion. I can't load the pics, so I don't know what they look like. Best wishes!

Here they are:
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How is coming out now...?
Phyllostachys Nigra...saw your picture - look very young.

Keiji, The plants turned all light brown a few days after the photos were taken and have stayed that way all winter. I'm hoping to see some shoots this spring. I have added lots more mulch to keep the roots somewhat insulated. Wonder when I should see shoots in zone 6. I was also thinking of pulling the extra mulch back some soon. The potted one I have kept in my small unheated HFGH so I'm thinking with a little less exposure it has the best chance.
Matt

It hard to say...usually new transplant plant...might not have new shoot till next 2 season...
If it did = let me know how it look like?

1st year is sleeping, 2nd year is creeping...3rd year is leaping.

After reading the note from where you got them...If it true the Seller cut off from the mother plant the day ship it out. Not good.

It hard to tell from the pictures...Plant do look very young.
Main concern is how old the rhizome ...not the plant!

Hope it survive...not knowing the age of the rhizome.

Next time buy direct the Bamboo Nursery...There are several Bamboo Nursery in North Carolina
Keiji

In your original post you stated that you planted two of the Nigras in the ground using potting soil
You don't use potting soil for the ground.
You use top soil ONLY if there is something wrong with the native soil.
Potting soil is an organic medium specifically designed to be used in pots, not for use in the ground.
You have to get them out of that potting soil if that is what it was.
You also planted Nigra bamboo in zone 6.
Did you mulch at least 4 inches?
Nigra is not hardy to zone 6. It will never really grow well in your zone. It will stay small and have alot of die back.
Nigra is not a pot bamboo.
They hate pots, especially little tiny pots.
DOn't put Miracle grow on bamboo.
Bamboo is a grass. Scotts turf builder or grass food is what you feed them.
They also love grass clippings.
I wish you luck with your nigra bamboo.