PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Moderator: needmore

Post Reply
Thuja
Posts: 959
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:34 pm
Location info: 0
Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.

PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Thuja »

Shows how unobservant I am, I just noticed elegans flowering in my basement...
<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo/tip_small.jpg" alt="flowers on PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans ">
According to Meredith's book, Bamboo for Gardens,
at least one clone of P. elegans has flowered sporadically, every year, for more than a decade, while continuing to grow with moderate vigor.
I guess if you like Phyllostachys flowers this is the plant for you.

My question is, will it produce viable seed? :?:

Also, It seems this would be a great plant to grow whilst you wait for another of your Phyllostachys species to bloom and then give a try at crossing the two.
--Mike
Image
Top
User avatar
Iowaboo
Posts: 3121
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:21 pm
Location info: 32
Location: West Iowa
Contact:
Contact Iowaboo

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Iowaboo »

Who would have thunk it, a bamboo flowering in the basement? Some things just can't wait for spring.

How long have you had Phyllostachys elegans?


Here is the description they give on endangeredspecies.com, I think referring to the elegans tasty shoots.
"Muscles" DuChamp - "I am rapidly losing the patience with your crass American stupidity. I have neglected my fungus to take time to say how wonderful are some Bamboos to you. But no. You persist in driving large silly cars & eating mass-produced Hostess Twinkies instead of saving your francs for something as fine as this Bamboo.
8)
Top
Thuja
Posts: 959
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:34 pm
Location info: 0
Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Thuja »

I've only had elegans here since fall. I went around shaking the anthers to see if I can get the flowers pollinated. It would be cool to get a few seeds.

Good quote there from "Muscles." Maybe Steve in France knows this guy. All I know is I have a sudden craving for sauteed fungus with fresh bamboo shoots.
--Mike
Image
Top
extremegardener
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:10 am
Location info: 0
Location: Richmond, CA Zone 9

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by extremegardener »

Mike,

This is slightly off-topic, but I posted a thread in this forum about ID for an unknown Phyllostachys. Didn't realize you were around! I got the two unknown runners from you, so I'm wondering if you ever managed to identify them? They don't look like Elegans to me (at least no flowers so far)...

Scott
Top
Thuja
Posts: 959
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:34 pm
Location info: 0
Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Thuja »

Elegans is a new one for me... definitely not the best choice for Wisconsin winters, but you know how that goes. My kids have Pokemon, and I have bamboo I guess.
--Mike
Image
Top
Thuja
Posts: 959
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:34 pm
Location info: 0
Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Thuja »

Almost 3 months later I found 1 seed on my little plant.
<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo ... nsJune.jpg" alt="PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans ">
Do you think it's ripe/viable? I'll plant it and find out.
--Mike
Image
Top
User avatar
David
Posts: 1495
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 6:42 pm
Location info: 30
Location: Middle Tennessee (Murfreesboro) USDA Zone 6b/7a Record low Jan 1966 -14*F Frost free April 21-Oct.21
Contact:
Contact David

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by David »

Mike,
Mines been blooming for about three weeks now. I go out every day and pretend I'm the wind, and give the culm that is blooming a good shaking! I too am hoping that some viable seeds will result. Keep us posted on the progress of your seed.
David
David Arnold
Middle Tennessee Bamboo Farm
USDA zone 6b
Top
BooKing
Posts: 1105
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 2:26 am
Location info: 0

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by BooKing »

Wow, that's a BIG seed. :shock: If it germinates, that is going to be some HUGE Bamboo. :lol: :wink:
Top
User avatar
David
Posts: 1495
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 6:42 pm
Location info: 30
Location: Middle Tennessee (Murfreesboro) USDA Zone 6b/7a Record low Jan 1966 -14*F Frost free April 21-Oct.21
Contact:
Contact David

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by David »

Elegans that has been flowering for about 3 weeks.

<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo ... Small).JPG" alt="PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans ">


<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo ... Small).JPG" alt="PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans ">


<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo ... Small).jpg" alt="PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans ">

Has any one gotten viable seeds from elegans? How does one know when the seeds are ripe?
David Arnold
Middle Tennessee Bamboo Farm
USDA zone 6b
Top
Thuja
Posts: 959
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:34 pm
Location info: 0
Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Thuja »

Very nice photos, David. Who needs marigolds? My plant is still flowering. I found another seed today. I think the 2 seeds I picked are from flowers indoors 3 months ago, but I'm not sure. I had brushed pollen on the stigmas. The seeds are supposed to be ripe when they are loose enough to begin falling off the plant. I decided to pick my 2 seeds since they appeared to be ready. (Besides, that one giant seed was pulling down the culms. :wink: )
--Mike
Image
Top
User avatar
David
Posts: 1495
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 6:42 pm
Location info: 30
Location: Middle Tennessee (Murfreesboro) USDA Zone 6b/7a Record low Jan 1966 -14*F Frost free April 21-Oct.21
Contact:
Contact David

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by David »

Mike,
I think I'm going to tie screen material around each seed head as they stop blooming, and just let the seeds fall off naturally. I'm assuming one would plant them immediately. ? I'm hoping to double some recessive traits, like maybe yellow culms, and green stripes.

You apparently paired the giant seed chromosomes. Isolate that one and feed the world :!: :idea: :wink:

David
David Arnold
Middle Tennessee Bamboo Farm
USDA zone 6b
Top
Thuja
Posts: 959
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:34 pm
Location info: 0
Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Thuja »

David, sounds like a good idea. I'll try bagging some flowers too when they're done blooming.

Elegans has interesting leaves: hairy & very short.
--Mike
Image
Top
User avatar
Jeff: Igor's Apprentice
Posts: 1196
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:44 am
Location info: 0
Location: SW NORTH CAROLINA Zone 7

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Jeff: Igor's Apprentice »

Well, thanks to Davids generosity earlier this year I too get to experience the miracle of a flowering bamboo. Yeah! I'm so excited- I discovered this only minutes ago.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ ... 0_4117.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
Top
User avatar
Jeff: Igor's Apprentice
Posts: 1196
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:44 am
Location info: 0
Location: SW NORTH CAROLINA Zone 7

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Jeff: Igor's Apprentice »

I thought these were seeds. But maybe they are unopened flowers?
Top
Joseph Clemens
Posts: 159
Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 7:48 am
Location info: 0
Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA
USDA Zone 9 (Some winters Zone 8)

RE: PHYLLOSTACHYS elegans flowers

Post by Joseph Clemens »

Looks like "open" flowers, to me.
Joseph Clemens
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Bamboo Identification”