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Tropical Plants - Australia

Bamboo

18 years ago

I planted a Timor Black which came with some root stucture and about 15cm of stem (around half a centimeter wide) in August 2004. My other bamboo (not Timor Black) has shot two culms (about six weeks ago) but nothing from the Timor. It has always had a good foliage and happily produces more small branches all the time.
But no new culms.
When should I expect something? Any ideas anyone? I'm based in south-west Brisbane.
Thanks and good growing in 2006.

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Comments (9)

richardqld
18 years ago
When you bought the Bamboo was it only a single culm? If so where did you buy it from? If branches and foliage are being produced the plant is healthy.There is a small chance the buds on the Rhizome may be damaged and unable to produce new culms. How often do you water/feed it and what sort of soil is it in? I reckon you will have a new culm before Easter,so dont worry. Timor black is a weaker plant than other bamboos in that it doesnt like cold weather and is not as quick growing as some other varieties,so the fact you are in the West could be slowing it down also. Good luck.
Jessie3
18 years ago
Hi Rob, I bought a range of bamboos from a place called horganics in chandler, brisbane one of which was the timor black. It was about the same size as yours and has produced many new stems over the last three years.They have lots of different varieties of tropicals including heliconias and also a website www.horganics.com.au which may have information you require.
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brisbane_rob
Original Author
18 years ago
Many thanks - I'm holding thumbs...
ron_seqld
18 years ago
Hi Rob, I planted a Timor Black in February last year (2005) and, like yours it sat happily with only side branches growing until about mid November when it sent out a shoot that is now 3m high and sending side branches of it's own. I used a small amount of lawn fertiliser on it in early spring and kept it moist though winter. I too live in SW Bris and was wondering if the heavy rain and warm weather we had in early spring gave it the boost that it needed. I'm pretty sure that yours, and mine, will throw new shoots this summer/autumn.
Tacca
18 years ago
Hi Rob,
If it is Timor Black then it may take a while to get going but in a few years time it will be coming up out of the ground like a rocket!

cheers,
mistymorn
18 years ago
Especially if you feed them with lawn food every month.
They will leap away even quicker like my bamboo did...MM.
silvercargo
18 years ago
I have a Timor black growing in a 45lt bag (2 years old)and it has just shot up a 7 mtre spike. I water regularly. I can still pick up the bag and move it around. Unreal! I have also seen a couple growing in a soakage pit that floods a dozen times a year and they are powering, so maybe water is also the key to fast growth.
artiew
18 years ago
OK, I'll put my 2 new (Dwarf) Chinese Goddess bamboo in over the weekend, and pray :)
mistymorn
18 years ago
Well done Artie and welcome to bamboo I was going to say world,
but it is probably someone name and best I dont, I am sure you will enjoy yours.
Thats dwarf variety sound Great........Cheers..MM.

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