Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis'

Discussion in 'Botany Photo of the Day Submissions' started by Weekend Gardener, Jan 6, 2008.

  1. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

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    Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' - this is the high light of the garden year that was (2007). I literally shines right through the never ending dark, damp, rainy Metro Vancouver weather. This one is only 3 years old, with clums diameter to 1.5 inches.

    Aureocaulis 002 1200.jpg

    Aureocaulis 010 1200.JPG
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Never ending? How about Florida etc., where the peak rainfall for the year is in July, so that except for the transition seasons it is either hot, wet and hurricane season or winter? People move to this region from elsewhere (including California) for a reason.

    Your bamboo has been about the most spectacular of the hardy ones seen in gardens on this continent, although there are many variegated forms being cultivated by now - specialists may more recently have something for those willing to spend the money that could shame even this one under suitable site conditions - a yellow-and-green moso for instance.

    P. vivax aureocaulis has the funny habit of throwing sections of reverse variegated culms (green with yellow grooves).
     
  3. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

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    You are right, Ron. The grass is always greener on the other side! I didn't mean to complain, mind you. But I do appreciate that it sounded that way! I was just pointing out how the colour is so outstanding. I any case, after 20 years, I am pretty used to Metro Vancouver weather. Why.............I get homesick if I should go away for any longer than 2 weeks!

    You can see that I am awestruck by the colour of these culms. One big down side is that the culm walls are rather thin. It needs space to allow the culms to flop down completely during snow falls. If the culms are caught somewhere up the middle, against a fence for example, they will break.

    So, next on my list to get will be Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Castillon' - similar variegation, although more of a golden hue to the yellow. It should have thicker culm walls. Put that in the list, along with Chusquea culeou 'Cana Prieta', Semiarundinaria yashadake 'Kimmei', etc. I will have to stop when I either run out of money or out of space, whichever comes first.

    Are you saying that there is something new that's more desirable out there - if so, do tell!! There is plenty of time to change the priorities on my list.
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    American Bamboo Society Species Source List is usually present on their web site, with more than one Canadian source included. By the way, we have the kinds you have mentioned (except the Chusquea) here in the Camano garden, as well as P. aureosulcata 'Spectabilis'. That one can be striking. I also have P. aurea 'Koi' in the Edmonds garden, another nice one. Haven't sprung for anything more rare and expensive, like a variegated moso. Some kinds costs hundreds of dollars for starter plants.
     
  5. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

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    It's too bad that getting any plants across the border is such a huge deal. Otherwise, I would be knocking at your door, Ron!

    I thought the $100 I paid for the P vivax 'Aureocaulis' was an excellent deal, given that the rhizome mass was so big that Ray had to put it into a 24 inch container! That's why this bamboo itch is going to burn a much bigger hole in my pocket than my addiction to roses.
     
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    I once soon had over 30 kinds but they didn't seem to like the site, plus same as with the rhododendron leaf mildew when bamboo mites show up it can be a real party pooper. (I seldom plant rhododendrons anymore). We have mites at both locations and just lump it.
     
  7. LPN

    LPN Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    "So, next on my list to get will be Phyllostachys bambusoides 'Castillon' ".
    Here's a pic I took a couple of years ago. Don't have one of the culms though or at least didn't find one in my files.

    Cheers, LPN.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

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    LPN, you are really bent on tempting me!

    Thanks for the pic.
     
  9. LPN

    LPN Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    I let the bamboo speak for themselves.
    Cheers, LPN.
     

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