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Moso Bamboo - Phyllostachys edulis
Description:
Phyllostachys edulis is the largest of all temperate bamboos, reaching heights of nearly 100 with a culm diameter of over 6 in its native China. Seedlings and young propagations have leaves that are quite large, but as culms become successively larger, new leaves are progressively smaller. In mature plantings, the tiny leaves create a very fine visual texture, in striking contrast to the massive culms. The underside of the leaves, and the surface of new culms are covered with a fine hair. In cooler regions, Moso is a slow-growing, well-behaved bamboo with a clumping habit. In warmer climes, it will be quicker to establish, reach greater size, and need more room to grow. To flourish it will need somewhat acid soils, summer irrigation, nutrient rich soils and full sun exposure. Its cold hardy to about 0 degrees F. Depending on climate, this bamboo is suited for groves, a specimen for a focal point, or container plant. A most worthy bamboo!
Planting History:
I purchased two Moso seedlings in one gallon containers from Bamboo Gardener in February 1999, and planted them out in a shadier area adjacent to a wooded greenbelt. In Spring 2003, I dug up and divided one of the seedlings, which had filled in a area about 4 square, with culms about as high. The undisturbed planting has been prolific in the number of shoots produced, but slow to increase height, spread and culm diameter. The largest 2004 shoots are about 15 high with a culm diameter of about .5. For cooler regions, this is a good choice if containment is an issue. Soft culms and rhizome also lend to ease of thinning culms and pruning rhizomes.
From the seedling I divided in 2003, I have taken hundreds of new propagations. It propagates most readily in spring - just about any stem with a little piece of root will establish, as will bits of rhizome propagated in spring. It needs regular summer irrigation to perform well, but even with adequate water, the leaves curl in the heat of the day with average humidity. Container plants are particularly sensitive to drought, especially as roots fill out to the edges of the container. The container plants I grow in afternoon shade do the best; plants have not responded well if sited where full sun heats the root ball.
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