I purchased this bamboo from Bamboo Gardener in November 1998 and planted in a shady area adjacent to a wooded greenbelt.  The plants were large, (15 gallon, with 6’ culms) robust propagations, planted in heavily amended soil with irrigation, but performed poorly in the cool shade of the location – shoots were sparse and slow to increase in size.  As well, voles (which are a problem to a degree with all bamboos adjacent to the greenbelt) loved this bamboo, as did aphids.  While aphids really don’t affect the vigor of the plant, the sooty mold that grows on the honeydew discolors the beautiful yellow culms and covers the leaves. 

After 6 full growing seasons, the largest culm produced in this planting was about 20’ high with a 1.5” diameter; spread was about 10’ x 15’.  I have seen this bamboo growing much, much more vigorously in raised beds with a full sun exposure.

In March 2004 I dug up and divided this bamboo and took many rhizome propagations as well.  All performed very well in containers over the hot summer, sending up numerous, vigorous shoots.  Container plants I moved away from the greenbelt had very few aphids and did not develop the sooty mold.  As of 2005, plans are to continue to grow and propagate this bamboo strictly in containers.

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