Drought tollerance?

[jamus_s]

Hi bamboo people.

I'm writing from South Australia. I'd like to grow a large timber bamboo, one of the Phyllostachys genus perhaps in our garden.

In our climate here we have quite hot dry summers, much like California I believe. Winters are not a problem, we rarely get frost, never colder than -2C. Summers will be the main problem, we get occasional 40C days and quite hot dry winds.

I'm used to heavy mulching and smart watering practises, but my question is, can someone recommend me the best (or at least most promising) timber bamboo for these conditions?

[Roy]

Hi bamboo people.

I'm writing from South Australia. I'd like to grow a large timber bamboo, one of the Phyllostachys genus perhaps in our garden.

In our climate here we have quite hot dry summers, much like California I believe. Winters are not a problem, we rarely get frost, never colder than -2C. Summers will be the main problem, we get occasional 40C days and quite hot dry winds.

I'm used to heavy mulching and smart watering practises, but my question is, can someone recommend me the best (or at least most promising) timber bamboo for these conditions?

Not quite sure why you would want a temperate bamboo when your temperature range seems to fit a tropical bamboo such a Bambusa oldhamii. Here's a nice stand of it growing in Australia.
<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo ... amii67.jpg" alt="BAMBUSA oldhamii ">

[jamus_s]

Actually I have planted B. oldhamii, and it's growing quite well, although not as quickly as in more favourable conditions.

The thing is Australia is a big country and the climate/rainfall/humidity on the east coast is nothing like our climate here. they get over double our rainfall and not such harsh dry conditions.

If you think any other clumping species would be more suitable please drop a few names and I'll give those a go too. I like bamboo and wouldn't mind having a bit of a collection...

[Joseph Clemens]

Here in the desert southwest USA, Tucson, Arizona, Phyllostachys vivax and its cultivars seem to perform the best of all running types.

[Mike McG]

Jamus_s

I would like to second Joseph Clemens comments on Ph. vivax, it appears quite drought resistant for me here in Central TX. Also Ph. viridis based on what I have seen. Lastly, while not quite a timber bamboo, S. fastuosa also does well.

I do not have much experience yet with B oldhamii, but the leaves on my B. ventricosa and B. tuldoides appear to tolerate our hot dry winds better.

Mike near Brenham TX

[jamus_s]

Thankyou everyone for the suggestions. I'll see what is available along those lines to me here. I might give P. vivax a go if I can buy it.

Cheers,

jamus

[David]

You might also consider Ph. nigra Henon, and Ph. decora.

[tstoehr]

I second the vote for Ph Nigra Henon. Reportedly does reasonabley well without water in Pacific Northwest of USA, which has virtually rain-free summers. Some "smart-watering" would likely do the trick.

[satx78218]

If you have high winds, Vivax is very thin walled and can be blown over vs thicker-walled bamboo.