Too bad Fred the one in front of your house was the nicest Ive seen.

It really shows how the montane bamboo need some maritime or similar climate mitigation, these bamboo just do not perform in similar continental zones.

I didn’t wait to see, I culled them.

I think you have the right idea that if you cut out all that old put in fresh dirt, I would think that they would start to move into that dirt and that’s probably the answer for moving away from pathways and stuff to give them a better spot to move into

In the past when I’ve had other species of Phyllostachys flower the new shoots come up start to leaf out and then start to flower. Don’t know if yours will as well, but that’s what mine did. Those weren’t Nigra but you know maybe the same?

Good advice Alan, hope all is well for you!

Indeed, I drag no pots indoors anymore!

Thank you, I appreciate the link!

I used to think that I might not enjoy growing clumpers in an area suitable for them as I enjoyed the challenge of growing runners in a marginal climate so much but now after 4 years of only clumpers I really don't miss having to tame groves, cut down dead canes from winter kill, and shake the snow ...

Sorry to hear that, you certainly gave it a shot!

I bought it here in Hawai’i at a farmers market. Seller did not know the species. It is clearly the same as two clumps I know of nearby and they are large clumps quite tall.

I wondered if it is known in Thailand?

IMG_2696.jpeg IMG_2695.jpeg IMG_2694.jpeg IMG_2692.jpeg IMG_2691.jpeg IMG_2693.jpeg KhunDieter - do you recognize this bamboo? I have been unable to ID it, at maturity it exceeds 4" diameter and 15 meter culms. It has NO aerial roots, does have oral setae, low branching, tightly vertical habit...

I have seen no such records but perhaps they exist, in my personal observation they have all turned black.

I couldn’t grow F robusta in 6a not hardy enough and might not try it in 6b but 7b should be fine. I’ll let someone who has grown it speak to how long to size up but I filed away if I ever live z7 it would be my go to for screening. I think you might want to groom the clump as it matures, I’m now in...

I grew several forms of A gigantea and all but one were fairly ugly to be honest and the Macon form is not a real looker either...I agree with the F robusta suggestions for zone 7, should get to the right height and no worries about spread.