The Bamboo Geek answers reader's questions...

The Bamboo Geek (that's me)

I get lots of questions on bamboo, from what to do with the plant during a blizzard -  to how to fertilize it; and every question in between.  So, here are some questions I have received lately and answers to those questions:

Q: Can [bamboo be] over-winterized containerized bamboos in-door[s]?  I left them outside last winter and unfortunately a couple of them died..exposed to the snow and wind.

Many running bamboo can tolerate extremely low temperatures.  An extreme example is Phylostachys bissettii, a running bamboo that can take temperatures down to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit.  Keep in mind that this temperature tolerance is an 'in-ground' temperature.  In a container, it is much less tolerant to cold temperature extremes as the soil and root mass can literally freeze up like an ice cube (no exaggeration).  Now, to over winter it, the best solutions are to place it in a greenhouse (if your lucky enough to have one) or to place it under a covered patio or under the eaves near the house which will give the plant some protection.  In a garage is OK for a temporary situation.  You can't leave it there for more than a few days as the lack of light will cause issues for the plant if left unchecked.

Q: Not sure what time of year we feed our bamboo; but a good subject for a future newsletter.

… basic feed?

I'm a gardening simpleton, nothing spectacular or magical - I use a grass fertilizer, usually a 16-16-16 formula starting in April, applying a small handful, every other month through October.  That will usually do it.  I do experiment with some organics as well like work castings, coffee grounds and fish emulsion (stinky, but effective).  I also plan on experimenting with top mulching with seasoned manure (watch the salt content) at some point, I hear it does wonders for bamboo.

…weed and feed?? Is bamboo a weed!?  EEEK!  The 'feed' part is good, but the 'weed' part will kill broadleaf plants, which includes bamboo.  Only use straight fertilizers, no weed and feed.

…Cat Box contents???

OK, I have a friend who has used the urine soaked (not cat feces) litter and has seen great growth for other plants.  In theory, urine has a high nitrogen content.  I haven't personally tried it, but it may be worth experimenting with.  I personally would only experiment in the garden in spots far away from your house as cat urine is very stinky.

Have more bamboo questions?  Send them to me at sean@madmanbamboo.com.  Always happy to answer them.

Cheers!

Sean

Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA

(916) 300-6335

www.madmanbamboo.com

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'Mahvelous' purple bamboo

My one gallon Yushania boliana, a clumping bamboo, looks 'mahvelous' with its nice purple-red culms. Growing these in the hot house has done wonders.  Even with the fairly weak sun exposure during the winter and the cold nights, the heat that is captured inside seems to have accelerated root development and kept the top foliage looking fresh and green. Can't wait to see what these look like in April 2012 when they emerge from the hot house.  

Cheers!

Sean 

Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA

(916) 300-6335

www.madmanbamboo.com

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How fast will my bamboo grow? Photos over time of a superior clumping bamboo planted for privacy.

John and Fred, owners of a home in the Foothill Farms area of Sacramento purchased some Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' bamboo plants from us in the Fall 2010. 'Alphonse Karr' is a clumping bamboo that grows 15 to 20 feet, can take full sun and is a great choice to create a natural privacy screen. They planted them on October 17, 2010 (pictured below). The objective was to screen a neighbor's house where there living room was on the second floor.

They have been very gracious to share photos of how the plants are progressing.  One of the most common questions I get is - " How fast will my bamboo grow?"  Of course it all depends on soil, light and environmental conditions; and of course the variety of bamboo.  But, the photos, aptly answer the question visually and certainly confirm my contention that 'Alphonse Karr' is a superior clumping bamboo to create a nice, dense and beautiful, non-invasive, privacy hedge.  Check out the progress over time...




October 17, 2010



May 26, 2011



June 28, 2011



Taken around late November 2011

Again, congratulations to John and Fred for taking good care of their plants. It certainly shows!

Sean
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Glad the wind is dying down...

Glad to see the wind dying down. California and part of other western states just got walloped with cold, dry, high winds.  Today, I'm taking stock of the damage, mostly just stressed plants.  What a pain!

If you see the leaves curled on your bamboo, it usually denotes dry soil and/or low humidity.

Here is what to do if you see this happening - Tip of the Day.

Cheers!

Sean

Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA

(916) 300-6335

www.madmanbamboo.com

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All the same plant? Bamboo diversity.

I'm struck by the diversity of the plant world.  All shapes, sizes, colors - its what really gets gardeners or 'plant geeks' like me all 'a-flutter'.  This diversity is what got me into collecting bamboo plants. According to the American Bamboo Society, there are about 2,000 identified bamboo varieties.  My personal bamboo collection numbers around 200.  So, there are plenty of bamboo varieties that someone like me seeks out and appreciates.

So, today, I was struck by the diversity within even one bamboo variety that is my favorite, by far - Himalayacalamus hookerianus 'Teague's Blue.'  A typical 'Blue Bamboo' is beautiful in its own right - sporting bright blue waxy culms.  'Teague's Blue' goes well beyond that...

Here is 'Teague's Blue' in its bluest form.  This was taken several months ago.

Here, an older culm shows shades of yellow, green and pink.  I took this photo today.

Here is a culm that I cut  a couple of years ago that has bright red and purple. Hard to believe that this color diversity comes from from one plant - 'Teague's Blue' Bamboo. The colors are influenced by sunlight exposure, age and temperature.  It's one of those bamboo varieties that always seems to provide a welcome surprise for a 'Bamboo Geek' like me.

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
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No, that is not a bird perched on that small Japanese Maple...

Merf, our crazy cat who loves to terrorize the garden, found a new perch - a small, Japanese Maple in our front yard.  That's one tough Japanese Maple to carry our not-so-petite cat.

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

'Buddha's Belly Bamboo', my big green 'Cousin It'.

Really like how dense and green my Bambusa ventricosa 'Buddha's Belly Bamboo' is. Looks like a big green 'Cousin It'. Took this photo today...

Fall is a great time for bamboo in the Sacramento area, weather is moderate, yet you still have the qualities of warmer weather hanging on.   Enjoy it while we can...

Sean

Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA

www.madmanbamboo.com

Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook

Twitter: @madmanbamboo

It's really ugly, but practical...

Today, I finally finished up an 'improvement' to producing taller and greener bamboo plants, even over the Winter.  I cringe at the ravishes of Winter upon plants, even upon bamboo, which seems pretty resilient given cold temperatures and the frequent high winds.

Taking matters into my own hands, I ordered some plastic greenhouse film and undertook a transformation of a back patio that we originally intended to use to house our patio table, but it now houses bamboo.

After some preparation, here is what I started with.

After a lot of sweat and some 'Buster Keaton' moves on a ladder, here is my new $150 greenhouse.  I am pretty excited about some growth over the winter and the protection from the elements. My wife's reaction, a grimace, and a statement that was more or less - 'Man, that is ugly.'  It is ugly, I won't deny, but its functional.

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Welcome rain and a beautiful double-rainbow

After some really harsh winds earlier this week, it was nice to see some rain come in.  I took this photo of a very vibrant double-rainbow against my Phylostachys nigra 'Black Bamboo' in the foreground.  Was one of the most beautiful rainbows I have seen in quite awhile.  Photo was taken in Rocklin, CA.  Enjoy!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Peace in a garden...

Gardening is one of those affinities that you are born with in my opinion.  It comes with an appreciation for the outdoors, artistic creation and the honing of that ability to nurture living things - plants.  For me gardening and gardens in general, especially those that are well loved and tended, bring peace.  It's a place where you can forget about the blur of daily life and just relax.

Above is a photo of a pathway at the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco - simple beauty - peaceful and quiet.

Enjoy,

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Bamboo Geek on 'Yard Crashers'

Yesterday, I participated in a 'Yard Crashers' episode.  Lots of hard work, sweat and good company.  Can't share details or photos until the episode airs in April 2012, but it was a great experience.  Good people and very fun.  Stay tuned for photos, a video of the episode and much more....

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Hanging out in the garden - Merf's adventures and other tales...

Merf, is an interesting cat, both literally and figuratively.  Merf spends alot of time with me in my backyard bamboo nursery. A very social being, Merf loves to be around people, especially me.  My wife and I jokingly refer to me as Merf's 'Mommy'.

The other day, I was working hard trying to pot clumping bamboo plants, up-sizing them now for growth over the fall, winter and spring - for sale next year (2012).  I use a potting table that contains my nursery containers and my potting soil.  So as I continued to pot plants, I had to step away from the potting table for a moment to get more nursery containers and when I got back, Merf decided to lay right where I was potting plants.  He was kind enough to give me just enough space to continue potting, but otherwise was disinterested in moving a muscle.  This is his potting table after all...

So, out of spite to my potting table take-over, I decided to keep potting, flinging dirt as I went, some on Merf.  Was he phased by this?  Of course not, when Merf usually sleeps in a dirt bed, it doesn't matter much...

This is one of his favorite places to sleep, in a bag of potting soil.

Another funny Merf moment.  Like most cats, Merf loves to lay in the sun.  Seemingly irritated by the fact that our backyard is fully shaded by 3 pm, Merf sought the only sunlight left which was shining on some pots of bamboo.  Merf jumps up in the pots and tries to figure out a way to wiggle is rotund physique in the pots to take a nap.  Irritated by finding no way to find a comfortable sleeping position, Merf jumps down and walks away tail, flicking.

So, if you happen to drop to come by for a visit at our bamboo garden, your likely to be greeted by Merf.  Just be sure not to get too close to that potting table, it's his.  And please, don't block his sunlight...

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Talking bamboo with the 'Four Seasons Garden Club of Rocklin & Roseville'

Had the pleasure today of 'talking bamboo' with the 'Four Seasons Garden Club of Rocklin & Roseville'.  Gave them the basic on running versus clumping and showed them some of the most unique bamboo in my collection like 'Teague's Blue Bamboo', 'Chinese Walking Stick Bamboo' and others.

We also walked through our bamboo garden through our small 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' grove and looked at other full grown clumping specimens in the ground like 'Buddha's Belly Bamboo' among several others.  Pictured is me with the members of the Four Seasons Garden Club that attended today's bamboo talk and tour.  Overall, had a great time.

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

As Summer 2011 fades into memory: Road Trip, Part III: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

I thought it was quite suiting to end the final days of Summer 2011 with my last blog post of the season on my Summer 2011 family vacation.  So, to re-cap we started in San Francisco and stayed for two days, dropped by Santa Cruz for a couple of hours on the way to the final three days in Carmel.

Carmel is situated on the central California coast just south of Monterey.  The Carmel of today is well known for its unique downtown filled with upscale restaurants and a thriving art scene.  Lots of conspicuous wealth, but I am struck by its unique architecture that heralds back to Carmel's bohemian beginnings.  With the 1905 founding of the Carmel Arts and Crafts Club and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Carmel saw in influx of writers, poets, actors and artists looking for new roots.  Jack London wrote about the 'artists colony' in Carmel in his book, Valley of the Moon.  Carmel was frequented by the likes of Upton Sinclair and Sinclair Lewis among other famous painters, poets and actors.  This bohemian culture stands the test of time today in Carmel and is a unique destination in California.

Carmel also has what I feel is one of the top five beaches in California - number one in my book.  Bleach white sands that are immaculately clean and soft to the touch.

So, after a hectic, but fun stay in San Francisco, the calm, leisurely pace of Carmel was very welcome.  Here are some of the sights we experience during the three days we were there:

A really nice use of bamboo coupled with flowers.  No idea what variety this is.

A Magnum P.I. Convention in Carmel?  Maybe not.  Or maybe it was a gathering of a club of Ferrari enthusiasts. Which it was. Couldn't resist snapping a photo of five Ferrari's parked in a row, not a sight you see everyday...

Beautiful bamboo that contrasts nicely against the Spanish-walls.

How could you not walk down this alley way...

...when it looks like this. Be still my little Bamboo Geek heart!

Unique Carmel architecture.

A nice place to rest after all that walking.  In the middle of the planting is Plieoblastus viridistriatus 'Dwarf Greenstripe', a short, vibrant running bamboo.

A Monterey Pine against the afternoon sun.

Our vacation home...

...in my dreams!  This is where we stayed and we loved it!

Farewell Summer 2011!  Welcome Fall....

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

The little bamboo shoots that could...

It happens every year around this time.  Bamboo Geek anxiety.  Generally speaking, clumping bamboo shoots in late summer and keeps shooting until temperatures really cool down around mid-November (in California).  Some shoots emerge in July and shoot vigorously, reaching full height and make it through the Winter freezes in Sacramento. Still bare all winter, they finally produce leaves when temperatures rise again in May.

Others, the slow pokey culms, will freeze off their exposed tops and flop over; or get sheared off by high Winter winds... what a bummer that is to see in the middle of Winter.

Hopes for that giant, tallest-ever culm - dashed, for at least one more year.

So, today, I walked nervously in the garden looking at one of my Bambusa oldhamii 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' that has new culms larger than my arm shooting, but still quite tender and short.  Will it make it over the Winter?  Will I be amazed by its resilience or disappointed by its defeat by cold, Old Man Winter?

My Bambusa textilis 'Weaver's Bamboo' showing tall, pretty well developed culms.  These are likely to make it over the Winter.

A shoot from my Bambusa oldhamii 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' showing some promise.  This was one of the culms that began shooting in July.  Others, larger than this one, I'm not so sure.  Still tender and susceptible to damage by the Winter.

Keeping my fingers crossed... just have to think positive and hope for a mild, bamboo-friendly Winter.

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

A gem in a 'Mad Man's' bamboo collection... 'Striped Young.'

The thing that got me started was one bamboo plant I bought at a nursery about 12 years ago.... Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess."  Once it started shooting, I was hooked, hooked in a big way.

So, over the years, I have amassed a collection of about 120 different types of running and clumping bamboo, stashed here and there, in my larger (not huge) Rocklin suburban lot.  Most of the clumpers are planted in the ground and the runners, without exception are safely growing in containers.

It's funny, when you have so many, it's easy to get caught up in the spectacular colors or that giant culm rocketing up 20 feet in the midst of the Summer heat.

Here is a discovery I made of a clumping bamboo that is tucked to the side of my lawn.  Bambusa multiplex 'Striped Young'.  Given to me by a friend (someone I look up to in the "bamboo world", a mentor and a friend) about four years ago, this rare clumping bamboo is showing off its colors in a big way this summer.  Must love the Sacramento climate....

Subtle beauty with its contrasting white and green striped culms.

Nothing else quite like this bamboo.  A gem in my bamboo collection.

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Notes from a radio interview: Top seven clumping bamboo varieties to create a perfect privacy screen...

Had a great time today talking with Farmer Fred Hoffman on his 'Get Growing' gardening radio show on 650 AM KSTE.  The podcasted show can be heard here - Listen (9/18/11 broadcasts).

So, in preparation for the radio interview I transferred my top seven varieties of clumping bamboo that are perfect for creating a privacy hedge from my brain on to paper.  There is alot rolling up there in my 'noggin', so getting it on paper helped get my thoughts organized, but then I realized - 'I should share this with my blog readers!' Keep in mind, this is for the Sacramento area/Bay area climates.

So, without further adieu, here are the notes:

1. Bambusa oldhamii 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' - Expect growth in the 30 to 35 foot range, perfect if you want that tropical feel and/or by a poolside.  Takes full sun, clumping (non-invasive) and has big beautiful timber-like poles.

2. and 3.  Bambusa ventricosa 'Buddha's Belly Green' and 'Buddha's Belly Kimmei' (pictured).  Belly like growth invoked by less water and/or constrained growing (like in a container).  Dense hedge.  Height can vary on conditions (water) from 15 feet up to 35 feet.

4.  Bambusa textilis 'Weavers' Bamboo' - 30 feet tall, very vertical and upright.  Dark green and dense above a fenceline.

5. Bambusa tuldoides 'Punting Pole Bamboo' - 35 feet, very similar in size and look to 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' except leaves are smaller, tight 'V' not as vertical as 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo.'

6. and 7. Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' (pictured) and 'Hedge Bamboo' - 15 to 20 feet tall, dense tight 'V' shaped.  'Alphonse Karr' is yellow with green stripes, with some red with sun exposure.  'Hedge Bamboo' is all green but grows identical in form to 'Alphonse Karr.'

The 'Spectacular Seven' are perfect for our Sacramento/Bay Area climates, are clumping, and can take full sun.  No more nosy neighbors once these form a privacy hedge in about 2 to 3 years.

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Beautiful bamboo makes my heart go 'pitter-patter!'

Loving my combined hedge of Bambusa oldhamii 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' (with larger leaves) and Bambusa tuldoides 'Punting Pole' (smaller leaves).  Both of these are clumping varieties, max out at 35 feet tall and love the heat of Sacramento.  With the cool down in temperatures this week, they are looking quite nice.  Not sure if it is the muted light from the overhead clouds, but man, this makes my little bamboo heart go 'pitter-patter!"

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Pesky two story houses looking into your yard? Be gone with bamboo...

Have a two story house looking down into your backyard? Want a lush, green tall screen to give you privacy? Bambusa oldhamii "Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' is the solution. Clumping (non-invasive) to about 30 feet tall in the Sacramento region, its a beautiful bamboo that serves a function. 

Planted strategically in front of a neighbor's two story window (or two or three), it is the perfect way to create privacy.  This variety does very well in the Sacramento area due to our heat, it have nice big tropical-looking leaves that soak up the heat.

Below is a picture of a new culm, about the size of my arm rising from the ground, I took today meandering through my garden.

Cheers!

Sean

Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin,  CA

(916) 300-6335

www.madmanbamboo.com

Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook

Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Soaking up the sun... Sacramento style.

Today was one of those dreaded Sacramento days weather-wise.  It is that time of year where we see extreme weather, Sacramento-style.  Hot... very hot.  topped 100 degrees in Rocklin.  Now, I must say this has been mild for a Sacramento Summer and I feel a bit guilty, as it's nothing like a humid Summer in the Midwest or back East.

So, I did have a bit of a bight spot in the midst of the toasty temperatures.  My Bambusa oldhamii 'Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo' is soaking up the sun.  Literally.  This clumping non-invasive variety seems to suited for our climate.  The leaves seem to enlarge and green with the hot temperatures.  This bamboo seems to be built for the Sacramento area.  Tropical looking, it makes a perfect bamboo to screen the typical Sacramento area yard from that two-story house, perfect for a pool side with its thick tropical looking culms.

Here are some photos I took today, braving the heat, these make me truly appreciate this bamboo:

New culms are coming up, responding to the warm temperatures.

Looking straight up, love the big, dark green leaves.  The intense Sacramento sun seems to bring the best out in this bamboo plant.

Stay cool!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twittter: @madmanbamboo

Gotta love red bamboo...

Today, I caught my self dreaming of cooler temperatures as I sat in the heat at my booth at the Granite Bay Farmers' Market.  One nice surprise in the middle of drab, gray winter is the spectacular red I get on my Semianundaria yashadake kimmei.  This bamboo is a running variety that does very well in containers, takes full sun, and grows to about 10 feet max in a container (can grow 25 feet in the ground - not recommended, unless you have the room).

In summer, the plant looks like this (quite pretty):

When the colder temperatures hit around January and you get some sun exposure, the culms turn this color:

Can't say I'm looking forward to winter, but this deep vibrant red color certainly brings a bright spot to the cold, gray January days.

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

Bamboo tip: How to tell when your bamboo plant needs to be watered...

Today, we saw temperatures in the low 100's.  Not complaining as we have had unseasonably low temperatures in the Sacramento area, on average from the low 90's to mid 90's.  This is dry heat.  Truly an ideal California Summer.

With the higher temperatures, bamboo has a somewhat unique way to show that it is in need of water and humidity.

They curl their leaves as a way to reduce the total leaf surface that water can be lost, responding to low humidity, low soil moisture and high temperatures.  Typically, once watered, the leaves unfurl and are back to normal.  If the leaves are still folded by the evening, it means they need a deep soak as they are water-starved.

Here's to what's left of the summer!

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo

My all-time favorite bamboo... Teague's Blue Bamboo

You know its always a pleasure roaming about my garden as I always seem to find a pleasant surprise.  In the deep shade of my backyard, protected from the intense Sacramento area sun, I have a treasure of a bamboo plant, Himalayacalamus  hookerianus 'Teague's Blue Bamboo'.  Named after the late Bill Teague, a horticulturist and plant propagator from the San Diego area, this plant is one of the most beautiful in my book, among all plants.

A 20 foot tall clumping bamboo, it is a good ornamental variety that does best with mostly shade, especially in our normally scorching Sacramento summers.

This is what I stumbled upon today and made my little Bamboo Geek heart go pitter-patter:

Gotta love it, quite beautiful!

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
Mad Man Bamboo on Facebook
Twitter: @madmanbamboo