harvesting running bamboo - what time of year?

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Bambusero
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harvesting running bamboo - what time of year?

Post by Bambusero »

I have to harvest a load of P. nigra Henonis for a job. But here in New Zealand, the Henonis is about to shoot. With clumpers, just before shooting is the worst time to harvest as the culms are at their highest concentration of starch and sugars, which makes them more susceptible to insect infestation. Does the same apply to runners? I understood that runners keep most of their starch in their rhizomes and the level doesn't fluctuate much in the culm. But I can't find any research to back this up. Any ideas anyone?
Mark
john voss
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Location: on several acres of former clearcut corn field near folsom,la. loam concrete when dry, jello when wet.

Re: harvesting running bamboo - what time of year?

Post by john voss »

my bamboo guru- marler s.- told me that you could transplant bamboo 12 months of the year.
zone 8b near folsom,la.
Tarzanus
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Re: harvesting running bamboo - what time of year?

Post by Tarzanus »

Rule of thumb answer would be - best time to cut running bamboos is just after the shooting as well. They also store some sugar inside their culms and most of it gets used while the bamboo shoots. The second reason is - the shooting consumes a lot of energy and every green part of the plant counts when it comes to feeding the grove. If you cut a lot of mature culms, the result would be weakened plant with many aborted shoots, that would also most likely downsize the following season.

I think you should wait for the shoots to reach full height (I wait for them to leaf out) and never cut more than 1/3 of culms.
bloombamboo
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Re: harvesting running bamboo - what time of year?

Post by bloombamboo »

You want to avoid propagating during their active growth seasons, especially shooting / leafing season. The bamboo grove needs as much energy and nutrients as possible to achieve this. Disturbing during this crucial period will result in lots of aborted shoots and culm die back.

Most ideal time is towards the end of summer or early fall to propagate. New culms are fully hardened and established. Divisions can be done with minimal impact. Another advantage is that after the division, it gives the roots a bit of time to establish itself before the onset of winter. Rhizome growth is most active towards the end of summer & early Fall. This will help establish itself for next season's growth.

Some people will propagate in Spring (which by the way can be done) but you definitely need to know your bamboo species and more involved after care. Failure rate is much higher during Spring (in my experience) so I try to avoid that if can.
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