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Identifying runners/clumpers - black and blue bamboo

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2017 4:44 am
by EdSuman
Hello!

We have Black and Blue bamboo on our property and we are now trying to figure out a few things..

* Are there different types of Black and Blue bamboo?
* Are they runners or clumpers?
* If they are runners, are they aggressive or not? Do we need to take action before they spread too much?

We've found different information online and in books about both types, really appreciate your help on this!

Thanks!

Re: Identifying runners/clumpers - black and blue bamboo

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 12:02 am
by shuboo
Do you have pics? You are located in an area where it could possibly be either

Re: Identifying runners/clumpers - black and blue bamboo

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:27 pm
by EdSuman
Hi!

I do, I've attached here three photos of the black bamboo. Will send a separate message with three photos of the blue too. Please let me know if this is helpful to you.

So appreciate your help! Thank you.

Re: Identifying runners/clumpers - black and blue bamboo

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:29 pm
by EdSuman
Hi again,
Attached here are a few photos of the blue bamboo as well.
Thank you!

Re: Identifying runners/clumpers - black and blue bamboo

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:52 pm
by Tarzanus
First one Phyllostachys nigra, the second one could be Borinda papyrifera or any other kind of Borinda. When the culms are young they are bluish and heavily powdered with wax.

Re: Identifying runners/clumpers - black and blue bamboo

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:39 pm
by EdSuman
Thank you, very helpful! Do you happen to know if they are runner or clumpers? If they are runners, are they aggressive? Thanks!

Re: Identifying runners/clumpers - black and blue bamboo

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:46 pm
by Tarzanus
All Phyllostachys bamboos are runners, most of them quite aggressive, Phyllostachys nigra included..
Borinda bambos are clumpers and can be easily contained to a smaller area, but according to my experience with Borinda seedling, they grow and upsize very fast. They can (mine does) travel up to 20 cm away from the edge of previous year's growth. Very, very nice bamboo, but it's not the easiest to grow in our climate. We have winters that are too cold. We have relatively hot summers with cool enough night temperatures and they like it - not love it, but they go through the summer unharmed and explode in the fall. Winter then devastate most of the new growth (last year, it got top-killed completely). There are more Borinda bamboos available, some are much hardier than others.

PS: I'm not sure LA would allow you to grow Borinda. It might just be too hot for it to handle. Check before you buy. Good luck.