Need help....what is best clumper for NJ

[firemountain]

Hey everyone....I am unfortunatley looking to remove my boo grove this fall, donating the plants to a family member. It's only a 2 year grove so I still have what looks like individual plants. The reason why is for another post.

I am looking for some clumping boo to plant in my soon to be empy grove site....which gets full sun almost all day long. I have heard that the Rufa is the only one that will withstand the NJ cold temps, but still survive in full sun. Has anyone had any experience with the Robusta or another clumper in my area??

I currently have Scabrida and Jaizhougou in another area of the property, but are shaded and doing well.

Need help!!

[Alan_L]

Have your Scabrida and Jaizhougou gone through a winter yet?

[firemountain]

Yes...my scabrida is almost 5 years old, and my Jaizhougou is going on it's 2nd winter.

[Alan_L]

I didn't find robusta to be nearly as hardy as advertised. If you don't have a 'Rufa' yet, then you should get one anyway, even if you put it in another spot.

[moriphen]

Thamnocalamus tessellatus thrives in our climate zone, handled our snowy winter and our drought plagued summer with little to no trouble. As a added bonus it can take full sun exposure at our latitude.

M

[firemountain]

Hi Moriphen....Thanks for the info on the Thamnocalamus tessellatus. When I went on the bamboo garden's website, it shows this plant at +5 deg. I wonder how accurate it is, esp. since your plants are doing fine. I can't believe that it is taking on full sun as well...which is what I am looking for. I may have to buy a few plants to give them a try.

Thanks

[moriphen]

. When I went on the bamboo garden's website, it shows this plant at +5 deg. I wonder how accurate it is, esp. since your plants are doing fine.

That temp is probably accurate, our winters have been trending warmer with our one time winter low temps anywhere from 6.4 ºF to 10.9 ºF . When I went to visit Little Acre Farm http://www.littleacrefarm.com/ out in Howell, NJ I asked why he didn't carry more clumping bamboo. At the time he said most of his New York area customers could not reliably grow most of the temperate clumpers. I've checked his website and he has certainly expanded his clumper selection from only a year ago, no T. tessellatus mind you but definitely a better selection. If he has added more clumping bamboo's it stands to reason your winter climate is warming too. If your set on getting T. tessellatus, order the largest size you can get and do it now, I had issues getting T. tessellatus this past spring and the reason turned out to be exposed pots suffering die back over the winter. That shouldn't be a problem in in the fall and if you order a larger clump it will have a easier time getting established before winter.

I've posted these before but the photo's give a much better idea of "thriving" then just me saying it.

Planted September 2009:

April 2010:
http://morinfen.smugmug.com/Bamboo/Afri ... FmF-XL.jpg

June 2010
http://morinfen.smugmug.com/Bamboo/Afri ... QbW-XL.jpg

M

[firemountain]

I have bought most of my boo from Little Acre Farm....Ed is a great guy and very helpful!! You are totally right about his clumping collection.... I bought my Jaizoughou from him this past spring.

The bamboo garden collection of the Thamnocalamus tessellatus is damaged as of now....they may be ok for the spring of next year. I am buying 2 plants from the Bamboo Sorcery in Cali and having it overnighted for starters.

Thanks for the info and pics....i am looking forward to getting these plants home and in the ground.